Throughout time there have been many stories about epic heroes and they have all consisted of a similar format. The epic hero would be born of strange relations. They would be capable of acts of great strength and bravery. They would be a respected and feared warrior. They would go on great journeys over vast settings. They would be a hero in the eye of their nation. They would have great humility. Lastly, they would come in contact with supernatural foes and friends. Gilgamesh, the first known epic hero is a great example of what an epic hero is. He is part man part god, he is a great warrior, he goes on long journeys, and comes in contact with supernaturals. Although he does contain most of the characteristics of an epic hero he is lacking
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In the story Gilgamesh is known as the strongest mortal in the land. An example is when the harlot says to Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s equal, “Come with me. I will take you to strong-walled Uruk, to the blessed temple of Ishtar and Anu, of love and of heaven there Gilgamesh lives, who is very strong, and like a wild bull he lords over men” (Page 5, paragraph 2, lines 8-9). This displays Gilgamesh’s fame and prominence over others. Another display of Gilgamesh’s strength is when he fights Humbaba. “Gilgamesh listened to the word of his companion, he took the axe in his hand, he drew the sword from his belt, and he struck Humbaba with a thrust of the sword to the neck and Enkidu his comrade struck the second blow. At the third blow Humbaba fell” (Page 11, paragraph 2, lines 1-3). “So Gilgamesh followed the Bull, he seized the thick of it’s tail, he thrust the sword between the nape and the horns and slew the bull” (Page 12, paragraph 5, lines 7-9). This final example is Gilgamesh slaying the Bull of Heaven that was sent down by Ishtar in a fit anger when Gilgamesh refused her offer of marriage. These were some examples of the strength that Gilgamesh …show more content…
This concept is seen heavily in the epic of Gilgamesh. “So Shamash accepted the sacrifice of his tears; liked the compassionate man he showed him mercy. He appointed strong allies for Gilgamesh, sons of one mother, and stationed them in the mountain caves. The great winds he appointed: the north wind, the whirlwind, the stone and icy wind, the tempest and the scorching wind” (Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 1-3). This is an example of Shamash, god of the sun, helping Gilgamesh by appointing him allies. Another example is when Gilgamesh is about to fight Humbaba and asks for Shamash’s help. In response Shamash sends the winds to help stop Humbaba from coming out of his house. The last example is when Ishtar becomes furious with Gilgamesh over his refusal to marry her. When he refuses her offer she goes up to the heavens and blackmails the gods for the bull of heaven. She says “My father, give me the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh. Fill Gilgamesh, I say, with arrogance to his destruction; but if you refuse to give me the Bull of Heaven I will break in the doors of hell and smash the bolts; there will be confusion of people, those above with those of the lower depths” (Page 12, paragraph 4, lines 1-3). All these were examples of encounters Gilgamesh had with the
In the story Gilgamesh is known as the strongest mortal in the land. An example is when the harlot says to Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s equal, “Come with me. I will take you to strong-walled Uruk, to the blessed temple of Ishtar and Anu, of love and of heaven there Gilgamesh lives, who is very strong, and like a wild bull he lords over men” (Page 5, paragraph 2, lines 8-9). This displays Gilgamesh’s fame and prominence over others. Another display of Gilgamesh’s strength is when he fights Humbaba. “Gilgamesh listened to the word of his companion, he took the axe in his hand, he drew the sword from his belt, and he struck Humbaba with a thrust of the sword to the neck and Enkidu his comrade struck the second blow. At the third blow Humbaba fell” (Page 11, paragraph 2, lines 1-3). “So Gilgamesh followed the Bull, he seized the thick of it’s tail, he thrust the sword between the nape and the horns and slew the bull” (Page 12, paragraph 5, lines 7-9). This final example is Gilgamesh slaying the Bull of Heaven that was sent down by Ishtar in a fit anger when Gilgamesh refused her offer of marriage. These were some examples of the strength that Gilgamesh …show more content…
This concept is seen heavily in the epic of Gilgamesh. “So Shamash accepted the sacrifice of his tears; liked the compassionate man he showed him mercy. He appointed strong allies for Gilgamesh, sons of one mother, and stationed them in the mountain caves. The great winds he appointed: the north wind, the whirlwind, the stone and icy wind, the tempest and the scorching wind” (Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 1-3). This is an example of Shamash, god of the sun, helping Gilgamesh by appointing him allies. Another example is when Gilgamesh is about to fight Humbaba and asks for Shamash’s help. In response Shamash sends the winds to help stop Humbaba from coming out of his house. The last example is when Ishtar becomes furious with Gilgamesh over his refusal to marry her. When he refuses her offer she goes up to the heavens and blackmails the gods for the bull of heaven. She says “My father, give me the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh. Fill Gilgamesh, I say, with arrogance to his destruction; but if you refuse to give me the Bull of Heaven I will break in the doors of hell and smash the bolts; there will be confusion of people, those above with those of the lower depths” (Page 12, paragraph 4, lines 1-3). All these were examples of encounters Gilgamesh had with the