Achilles Heros Journey Essay - 1117 Words

Janelle 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 different end results; however, their relationship with death is the same. They are considered a hero on a Hero’s Journey, as they fulfill the mandatory requirements. Their journey changed them from people of negativity to people who have been refined†¦show more content†¦The both stepped into battle voluntarily, however they sought out different things. Achilles coveted self-honor, as he did not want to die with his name unremembered. Gilgamesh coveted immortality, as he feared death, â€Å"Shall I not die too? Am I not like En kidu? / Oh woe has entered my vitals! / I have grown afraid of death, so I roam the steppe. / Having come this far, I will go on swiftly. Towards Utanapsightim, son of Ubar-Tutu.† (The Epic of Gilgamesh, (72). That fear derived from his close friend’s death, Enkidu, which spawned him into his adventure. Alike, Achilles close friend, Patroclus, died which spawned him into his adventure as well. Both of their adventures contained ups and downs, and they did not always come out on top. However, the obstacles that both men endured and overcame are filled with courage that only a hero would have. At the end of the two stories, Achilles and Gilgamesh showed new and better identities from their old self. Gilgamesh was faced with the obstacle that every hero must face on the Hero’s Journey. That moment was when he decided if he was going to obtain what he worked so hard for. Although he was unsuccessful in gaining immortality, he found what he was truly destined for whic h was the realization that immortality was not his fate. His fate was to be a great king over Uruk.Show MoreRelatedodysseus and achilles1072 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Aaron K. Gillespie Plotnik ENG 220 Essay 1 Recipe For Remembrance The ancient people of Greek mythology believed there was a recipe for a mortal man to claim immortality, and have a name that echoes throughout the ages. The ingredients can be found between the two very popular mythical figures of ancient Greece, Odysseus from Homer’s â€Å"The Odyssey and Achilles from his other timeless story, â€Å"The Iliad†. This document will relay the commonalities shared through tragedy, andRead MoreBeowulf as Epic823 Words   |  4 PagesTypical in epics is a set of conventions (or epic machinery). Among them are these: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Poem begins with a statement of the theme (Arms and the man I sing) Invocation to the muse or other deity (Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles) Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things) Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices) Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from generation to generation)