In “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, “Beowulf”, and “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” the aspect of cultural ideals is perceived. Cultural ideals are standards set by society on how a person should act or treat others. Gilgamesh, Beowulf, and Sir Gawain are considered culture hero’s as they represented these ideals in their societies. Although the cultural ideals for each narrative changed over time, they still had similarities. In each epic, the characters are willing to sacrifice different things in pursuit of their goals.
In “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, Gilgamesh embodies the ideals of the Mesopotamian culture. These qualities include being beautiful, strong, brave, and god-like. In the epic, Gilgamesh was described as “rampaging fiercely” (101). To stop the madness, the gods created Enkidu. Enkidu and Gilgamesh became friends and eventually killed the Bull of Heaven that Ishtar sent down to kill Gilgamesh. After killing the Bull of Heaven, they learned one of them must die. Enkidu had a dream, foreshadowing his death. Enkidu told Gilgamesh he yelled for him “but you did not save me”(131). Enkidu had to die so that Gilgamesh could live and continue being …show more content…
Beowulf was admired and “well regarded” (113). He was “the mightiest man on earth/ highborn and powerful” (117). Throughout the epic, Beowulf shows just how selfless he is. Beowulf is willing to sacrifice his own life to fight for the Danes when he kills Grendel and Grendel’s Mother. But his greatest sacrifice was when he decided to fight the dragon. In the epic, Beowulf says, “as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning/ if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (168) Ultimately the dragon is defeated but so is Beowulf. Beowulf’s actions confirm that he fights for fame and for the protection of his people. Beowulf, unlike Gilgamesh, was willing to sacrifice himself rather than someone
In “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, Gilgamesh embodies the ideals of the Mesopotamian culture. These qualities include being beautiful, strong, brave, and god-like. In the epic, Gilgamesh was described as “rampaging fiercely” (101). To stop the madness, the gods created Enkidu. Enkidu and Gilgamesh became friends and eventually killed the Bull of Heaven that Ishtar sent down to kill Gilgamesh. After killing the Bull of Heaven, they learned one of them must die. Enkidu had a dream, foreshadowing his death. Enkidu told Gilgamesh he yelled for him “but you did not save me”(131). Enkidu had to die so that Gilgamesh could live and continue being …show more content…
Beowulf was admired and “well regarded” (113). He was “the mightiest man on earth/ highborn and powerful” (117). Throughout the epic, Beowulf shows just how selfless he is. Beowulf is willing to sacrifice his own life to fight for the Danes when he kills Grendel and Grendel’s Mother. But his greatest sacrifice was when he decided to fight the dragon. In the epic, Beowulf says, “as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning/ if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open” (168) Ultimately the dragon is defeated but so is Beowulf. Beowulf’s actions confirm that he fights for fame and for the protection of his people. Beowulf, unlike Gilgamesh, was willing to sacrifice himself rather than someone