Achilles An Epic Hero - 1253 Words

Daniel Armour Professor Kimberly Smith World Literature 21 February 2017 Achilles: An Epic Hero in an Epic Poem In the battle between Hector and Achilles, there was more on the line than winning the war. Until the end of the poem, it can be argued that both Achilles and Hector fit the role of an epic hero, but there can only be one. The battle represented who would ultimately be determined the epic hero. In Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, Achilles is crafted into an epic hero throughout the poem by the illustration of the qualities of an epic hero: a great warrior, help from the supernatural, an epic flaw, and an epic journey. To be crowned as an epic hero, one must first be a great warrior, and Achilles more than fits this role. From the†¦show more content†¦It is not uncommon for the gods to make appearances in the Iliad, and Achilles is no exception. He receives help from the supernatural on multiple occasions, much like an epic hero would. The most significant divine intervention Achilles received was by Athena, the goddess of wisdom. â €Å"Now let’s get tough and fight and not spare Any spears. Either Achilles kills us both†¦Or he goes down with your spear in his guts,† Athena said to Hector, pretending to be Deiphobus which deceives Hector into fighting Achilles (Puchner Book XXII, 270-272). There is no arguing whether or not Achilles received help from the gods, as he did on multiple occasions. Athena even helps him again in his battle versus Hector by returning his spear after a missed throw. It is the actions like these that craft Achilles into an epic hero, he isn’t asking for the help, but he receives it anyways because it is his destiny to become the epic hero. At points such as these, it seems as if mortal men don’t have much control over their destiny and that the gods are manipulating the outcomes. This can also be seen when Athena prevents Achilles from attack Agamemnon. Not everybody is perfect, and in Achilles’ case, this is definitely true. Perhaps one of the most important characteristics of the epic hero is having an epic flaw. While Achilles may be near perfect in combat, his personality is most definitely flawed. His pride leads him to overconfidence, hisShow MoreRelatedan analysis of the qualifications of an Epic Hero887 Words   |  4 PagesAn epic hero is someone who goes down in history as being brave, courageous, and obviously heroic. They don’t have to be asked to save the day, and often times, they aren’t even saving their own people. There are several epic poems that come to mind when thinking about European culture and where it came from. These stories are held as sacred to many different people, and will always be studied whenever the topic of government or culture comes up. In these poems, or stories, there is always a heroRead MoreEpic Heroism And Values Of The Iliad1030 Words   |  5 Pages DWC 101: Paper 1 November 1, 2017 Epic Heroism and Values of the Greek and Roman Culture The image of Achilles killing Hector and the image of Aeneas killing Turnus classify them as epic heroes. In the Greek epic poem the Iliad, Homer portrays Achilles as an enraged warrior fighting for revenge for a woman he loved. In the Roman epic poem the Aeneid, Virgil portrays Aeneas as fleeing the city of Troy to establish a new city. Achilles and Aeneas are epic heroes because they both show courageRead MoreThe Greek Concept of the Epic Hero Essay1135 Words   |  5 Pages In classical Greek literature, the epic hero is usually defined in terms of the contrasting characters of Achilles and Odysseus, the most important figures in Homers great epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks in the Trojan war, is actually a demi-god rather than a human hero, having been dipped in charmed waters by his mother and given the gift of invulnerability. Odysseus, on the other hand, is a fully human character, and his heroism consists moreRead More Achilles and Odyssey Compare and Contrast Essay1625 Words   |  7 PagesLarger-Than-Life Heroes: Achilles and Odysseus What are the main characteristics of a larger-than-life epic hero? An epic hero is a brave and powerful warrior who is motivated to fight both internal and external conflicts to achieve glory and ranks above a normal man. In Homer’s epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, Achilles and Odysseus are the well-known heroes. Achilles fights Hektor outside the walls of Troy because Hektor killed his best friend, Patroclus. After fighting in the TrojanRead MoreAchilles Heros Journey Essay1117 Words   |  5 PagesJanelle Fanelli Professor Probert ENGL 2800 September 7 2017 Achilles and Gilgamesh on a Journey The two Homeric epics, the Illiad and The Epic of Gilgamesh, both contain a Hero’s Journey. They show the readers a look into heroic life during the time of the Trojan War. Achilles and Gilgamesh’s Heroic Journeys are not identical, however the characteristics and qualities of them is what holds the similarities. The two characters have a compelling outlook on death, and immortality. They seek differentRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreHEROISM IN THE ILIAD Essay1046 Words   |  5 PagesIn the Iliad there are many characters that could be considered heroic. But the two main characters that stand out as heroes to me are swift-footed Achilles and flashing-helmet Hector. Numerous times throughout the epic they display qualities and traits that are unsurpassed by anyone on their side. Many times throughout the epic Achilles and Hector are tested for their strength, and will to win in battle, which for both warriors always ends up positive because they always win the ir battles. AlthoughRead MoreAnalyzing The Ways That Plato Is An Unusual Epic Hero946 Words   |  4 PagesAn Unusual Hero (An Analysis of the Ways that Plato is an Unusual Epic Hero) From the crooked heights of Troy to the winding streets of Athens, the ancient West was fascinated by epic heroes. Bards sang poems about the fleet footed Achilles and the cunning Odysseus. Every man, woman, and child knew the stories of Jason, Hercules, and Hector. However, there is one man who achieved fame akin to the epic heroes of olden times with neither strength nor skill. His name was Socrates. In ancient GreeceRead MoreSimilarities Between The Aeneid And The Iliad1029 Words   |  5 Pages Publius Vergilius Maro, or more commonly known as Virgil, studied the Greek’s most well-known author Homer when he was creating his national epic poem. Virgil’s â€Å"The Aeneid† was written long after the creation of Homer’s â€Å"The Iliad†. However, there are many underlying similarities between the two. Virgil intended for their stories to share similar themes and plots because he truly admired Homer’s works he eventually adopted the Homeric s tyle in his own writing. Despite having great battles and bloodshedRead More Comparing the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Iliad Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesThe Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad    One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion. (IX,385-88) Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetrys greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. Eventually

The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Code Of Hammurabi - 983 Words

World Civilizations Essay The Mesopotamian society lived a long life which included the writings, â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† in the beginning and led to the â€Å"Code of Hammurabi†. Although these significant texts have been written centuries apart, they have quite a few similarities and differences. I am going to discuss them each separately, explain how their leaderships compare and contrast, and how change came over time. These texts are basically led by the rulers of that time. In Uruk it is King Gilgamesh who rules, while in Babylon it is King Hammurabi; they are the ones who govern the laws that are included in each text. So the Epic of Gilgamesh comes from the first state which is Uruk and so happens to be the first piece of literature around 2800 BCE. It is an extended version of literature, meaning it is a set of stories, not a poem or anything like that. It was the birth of a hero named Gilgamesh in Uruk and had many points to it like friendship, civilizations, and life or death situations between certain people. The story gave meaning to the people of Mesopotamia of how their indication of life may be relating to the morals and values of the people. Gilgamesh did not just rule the city; he was as well an amazing warrior. He was really brave and demonstrated trust between his companions. Another character that comes from the reading is Enkidu whom is a wild man who comes from the gods and has an unusual interaction with Gilgamesh. On the other hand, the Code of HammurabiShow MoreRelatedSimilarities Between Mesopotamian And Ancient Mesopotamia1628 Words   |  7 Pagesdrastically. This can be shown in the Great Lyre, from the Royal Tomb of Ur, Stele of Naram-sin, from Sipper, Babylon, and Law Code of Hammurabi, which was also caved in Babylon as well. All three pieces of art are very different and are from different parts of Mesopotamia. However, they all have one main thing in common; the Great Lyre, the Stele of Naram-sin, and the Law C ode of Hammurabi show the hierarchical shift and rise of the sun god, Utu. History The Mesopotamians had many gods and goddess. SometimesRead MoreWorld History Chapter 1 Essays624 Words   |  3 Pagesobserved death and afterlife from a distance and some made them into a series of myths. For instance, â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh† expresses its idea on eventual death. No matter how hard Gilgamesh tries to lengthen his life, his death is predestined. The Mesopotamians viewed afterlife as an inevitable end. 2. What is the message of Siduri’s advice to Gilgamesh? The message from Siduri to Gilgamesh is that one cannot hurry to the meaning of life. As God assigned us all to our eventually endings, weRead MoreAncient Mesopotamia Essay1004 Words   |  5 Pagesdemonstrate that many prominent sources in ancient literature, law codes, and archaic Sumerian religion reflect the rigorous geographic and natural conditions which caused this deterministic mindset. The Epic of Gilgamesh, perhaps the most important literary piece of Mesopotamia, displays a world in which even the mightiest of human beings possessed little freedom to control their own fate due to an insurmountable environment. The Epic of Gilgamesh’s plot centers on Gilgamesh’s unavailing struggleRead MoreLiterature, Law Codes, And Archaic Sumerian Religion1003 Words   |  5 Pagesdemonstrate that many prominent sources in ancient literature, law codes, and archaic Sumerian religion reflect the rigorous geographic and natural conditions which caused this deterministic mindset. The Epic of Gilgamesh, perhaps the most important literary piece of Mesopotamia, displays a world in which even the mightiest of human beings possessed little freedom to control their own fate due to an insurmountable environment. The Epic of Gilgamesh’s plot centers on Gilgamesh’s unavailing struggle toRead MoreThe Civilizations Of Ancient Civilization1178 Words   |  5 Pagestime, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is also useful in determining the values of the Sumerians. The poem begins by talking about how bad of a king Gilgamesh was, showing that the Sumerians valued good, kind kings. The people prayed to their gods asking for them to punish Gilgamesh for being a bad king, so the gods sent Enkidu, a human who acts like a beast. When Enkidu is â€Å"tamed† and becomes more â€Å"human† Gilgamesh says that Enkidu â€Å"gained [reason] and expanded his understanding† (The Epic of Gilgamesh). ThisRead MoreEpic of Gilgamesh Essay1021 Words   |  5 PagesEp ic of Gilgamesh . Mesopotamia, current day Iraq, derived its name from words meaning, the land between the rivers, which refers to the Tigris and Euphrates. This land was inhabited during the fourth millennium B.C.E. and throughout time transcended into political and military organizations. The significance of these cultures revolved around important warrior figures and their impact on society. The most important figure that will be discussed is the protagonist from The Epic of GilgameshRead MoreHow Writing Is Important For The Creation Of Organized Societies1564 Words   |  7 Pagesof tax was the Code of Ur - Nammu. It was written in Sumerian on clay tablets and governed the regions of Mespotamia. At the time laws were viewed on a universal standpoint. In other words, it was perceived that the law came from the gods and the rulers of the society just implemented them. This view further enhanced the way people acted accordingly. An even more widely recognized law in ancient history that ca me 300 years after the Code of Ur - Nammu was the Code of Hammurabi. Originated inRead MoreAncient Concepts Of Law, Government, And Social Structure1408 Words   |  6 PagesIn the readings, there are many trends regarding ancient concepts of law, government, and social structure. The code of Hammurabi played a significant role in Mesopotamian law, while the Nile River had a large part in the development of Egyptian civilization. In addition, the Hebrews moved toward pure monotheism and the Persians enhanced the Near Eastern model of monarchical government. â€Å"The evidence reveals that on the one hand, peoples then living in the Near East, Africa, and the MediterraneanRead More The History of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt Essay1323 Words   |  6 Pageshistorians found a long narrative known as the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is a great hero and ruler who sets out to recover cedar from northern lands. He travels with his companion Enkidu, who is killed by the storm god, Enli l. Mourning the loss of his companion and confronted by death himself, Gilgamesh travels the world in search of eternal life. He ends up finding the plant of eternal youth, but a serpent swallows it while he is bathing. The epic ends with his death and funeral. The SumeriansRead MoreThe Greatest Hero Figure Of Ancient Mesopotamia Essay977 Words   |  4 Pagesabout how people in the past had believed in and how it is thought of compared to today s society and culture. The best-known individual of Mesopotamia was Gilgamesh. He was in a cycle of stories called Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was the greatest hero figure of ancient Mesopotamia. Though the stories focus on the adventures of both Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu, the stories explored themes like ambition and the longing for immortality. These themes reflected the interests of the urban-based society

Black Hole and White Hole free essay sample

Under the theory of quantum mechanics black holes possess a temperature and emit Hawking radiation through slow dissipation by anti-protons. Most black holes are made when a giant star, called a supergiant, at least twenty times bigger than our own Sun dies, and leaves behind a mass that is at least one solar mass. Stars die when they run out of hydrogen or other nuclear fuel to burn and  start  to collaps. A supergiant stars death is called a supernova. Stars are usually in equilibrium, which means they are making enough energy to push their mass outward against the force of gravity. When the star runs out of fuel to make energy, gravity takes over. Gravity pulls the center of the star inward very quickly. A white hole, in general relativity, is a hypothetical region of space time which cannot be entered from the outside, but from which matter and light may escape. We will write a custom essay sample on Black Hole and White Hole or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In this sense it is the reverse of a black hole, which can be entered from the outside, but from which nothing, including light, may escape. However, it is theoretically possible for a traveler to enter a rotating black hole, avoid the singularity, and travel into a rotating white hole which allows the traveler to escape into another universe. White holes appear in the theory of eternal black holes. â€Å"In addition to a black hole region in the future, such a solution of the Einstein equations has a white hole region in its past. † However, this region does not exist for black holes that have formed through gravitational collapse, nor are there any known physical processes through which a white hole could be formed. Like black holes, white holes have properties like mass, charge, and angular momentum. † They attract matter like any other mass, but objects falling towards a white hole would never actually reach the white holes event horizon. The white hole event horizon in the past becomes a black hole event horizon in the future, so any object falling towards it will eventually reach the black hole horizon. They are, predicted as a possible other end of a black hole that has a worm hole through space, ut black holes are most likely just a point in space without an other side. A white hole is the theorized time reversal of a black hole. The event horizon of a black hole attracts matter, so event horizon of a white hole ejects matter even though the white hole itself still attracts matter. The main difference between the two is the action of the event horizon. As you can see, this is what a black hole and a white holes are