“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.” –Hercules. Studies have shown that to be considered an epic hero, characters must go on a journey also called a quest to show heroic qualities: courage, selflessness, and patience. Rama from The Ramayna and Gilgamesh from The epic of Gilgamesh are both considered to be epic heroes. These two tales demonstrate the possibility that different cultures and religions corresponds in a way that enable them to share ideas or simply have similar beliefs. The heroes of both epics are thought to possess some selection of the divine character. Rama is referred to as the seventh avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. He is also known as the greatest Hindu deity. Rama's quest was forced upon by his father's command. His father did not want him to be installed to the throne or reside in the forest for fourteen years. However, Rama’s attitude
…show more content…
Gilgamesh's quest was to find immortality after Enkidu's death, however; he did not accomplish this task. Gilgamesh was afraid of death and did not know what to do with his life. He had an encounter with Utnapishtum and learned that all he could do was live life with no regrets. This made Giglamesh stronger and wiser. Therefore, he began to embrace life and saw a reason to enjoy the present. On his second journey, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk with a new mindset. This epic hero reveals that Mesopotamians were a polytheistic society and that there are many gods. The gods are heavily personified, and have relationships to pick their favorite mortals to guide. “He said to his servant Enkidu, 'I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed; therefore I will go to the country where the cedar is felled. I will set up my name in the place where the names of famous men are written, and where- no man's name is written yet I will wise a monument to the gods.” –The Epic of
Gilgamesh's quest was to find immortality after Enkidu's death, however; he did not accomplish this task. Gilgamesh was afraid of death and did not know what to do with his life. He had an encounter with Utnapishtum and learned that all he could do was live life with no regrets. This made Giglamesh stronger and wiser. Therefore, he began to embrace life and saw a reason to enjoy the present. On his second journey, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk with a new mindset. This epic hero reveals that Mesopotamians were a polytheistic society and that there are many gods. The gods are heavily personified, and have relationships to pick their favorite mortals to guide. “He said to his servant Enkidu, 'I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed; therefore I will go to the country where the cedar is felled. I will set up my name in the place where the names of famous men are written, and where- no man's name is written yet I will wise a monument to the gods.” –The Epic of