Gilgamesh: True Epic Hero?
Gilgamesh: True Epic Hero?
Gilgamesh is an epic that predates the Bible, chronicling tales of Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. One such story accounts the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The hero of this epic has long been argued, and with the aid of Phillip V. Allingham’s “Characteristics of an Epic Hero” it will be shown that Gilgamesh is not the true hero of this great epic. Based on the characteristics of an epic hero presented by Allingham, Gilgamesh does not demonstrate any traits that suggest a hero. Allingham defines the circumstances under which a character in an epic would be considered the hero: introduction during a time of turmoil, undertaking a perilous journey, and engaging in honorable combat ultimately taking the life …show more content…
The introduction of Gilgamesh does not prompt the reader to believe Gilgamesh was in any type of confusion or chaos, as demonstrated by the following passage: “As king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people. He demanded, from an old birthright, The privilege of sleeping with their brides Before the husbands were permitted” (Mason 15). Lending inferences from this excerpt, Gilgamesh is shown as a man who is extremely self-righteous and selfish. His introduction is proof that his people were the ones in turmoil because of his callousness and arrogance. Not only does Allingham say that the hero is introduced in the story at a time of turmoil, but another characteristic is the hero’s undertaking of a long, perilous …show more content…
In the story Gilgamesh found himself in a couple of battles. While these battles were initiated consciously, Gilgamesh did not battle honorably. Gilgamesh “…stood still watching as the monster leaned to make His final strike against his friend, unable to move to help him…” (Mason 40). Gilgamesh made the decision to kill Humbaba and did not do so honorably since he froze and watched as the beast dealt a fatal blow to his friend Enkidu who in fact courageously stood up to a foe much greater than he. In this situation, Gilgamesh did not obtain his aristeia through either of the battles fought in the tale. The battle with Humbaba and subsequent battle with the Bull of Heaven proved that Gilgamesh was anything but honorable in his quest for greatness through
Gilgamesh is an epic that predates the Bible, chronicling tales of Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. One such story accounts the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The hero of this epic has long been argued, and with the aid of Phillip V. Allingham’s “Characteristics of an Epic Hero” it will be shown that Gilgamesh is not the true hero of this great epic. Based on the characteristics of an epic hero presented by Allingham, Gilgamesh does not demonstrate any traits that suggest a hero. Allingham defines the circumstances under which a character in an epic would be considered the hero: introduction during a time of turmoil, undertaking a perilous journey, and engaging in honorable combat ultimately taking the life …show more content…
The introduction of Gilgamesh does not prompt the reader to believe Gilgamesh was in any type of confusion or chaos, as demonstrated by the following passage: “As king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people. He demanded, from an old birthright, The privilege of sleeping with their brides Before the husbands were permitted” (Mason 15). Lending inferences from this excerpt, Gilgamesh is shown as a man who is extremely self-righteous and selfish. His introduction is proof that his people were the ones in turmoil because of his callousness and arrogance. Not only does Allingham say that the hero is introduced in the story at a time of turmoil, but another characteristic is the hero’s undertaking of a long, perilous …show more content…
In the story Gilgamesh found himself in a couple of battles. While these battles were initiated consciously, Gilgamesh did not battle honorably. Gilgamesh “…stood still watching as the monster leaned to make His final strike against his friend, unable to move to help him…” (Mason 40). Gilgamesh made the decision to kill Humbaba and did not do so honorably since he froze and watched as the beast dealt a fatal blow to his friend Enkidu who in fact courageously stood up to a foe much greater than he. In this situation, Gilgamesh did not obtain his aristeia through either of the battles fought in the tale. The battle with Humbaba and subsequent battle with the Bull of Heaven proved that Gilgamesh was anything but honorable in his quest for greatness through