Analytical Essay Sample: Heroes

Introduction

The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Bhagavad Gita, and The Odyssey all present versions of heroic figures. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the hero Gilgamesh learns about the nature of mortality and the fear of death and is eventually freed from this fear by accepting his mortality. Arjuna is educated about the nature of dharma, or righteous action, and is eventually freed from the cycle of rebirth by becoming a Krishna-conscious warrior. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is educated about the nature of hubris, or pride, and is eventually freed from the dangers of this character flaw by returning home to his family.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh presents two heroic figures, Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk and is known for his strength and intelligence (Sandars 3). Enkidu is a wild man who is not afraid of anything. Gilgamesh starts as a selfish and arrogant ruler, but after meeting Enkidu and going on adventures together, he learns to be more compassionate and humbler. Enkidu, on the other hand, starts as a wild man, but after meeting Gilgamesh and living in civilization for a while, he learns the value of cooperation and working together with others.

What they learn.

One of the things that Gilgamesh learns is that death is inevitable. He sets out on his quest for immortality because he is afraid of death. However, he eventually learns that even if he were to find immortality, death would eventually catch up to him. Another thing that Gilgamesh learns is that humans are not meant to be immortal (Sandars 18). Enkidu, on the other hand, learns a lot about friendship. Enkidu learns about the value of friendship and how to work together with others to achieve goals. He learns about the importance of being there for one another when things get tough, and about the power that comes from working together. He also learns that it is important, to be honest with his friends and to trust them.

What they are freed from.

The heroes are freed from the bonds of society. They can live outside the confines of civilization and its rules (Sandars 14). This allows them to be more wild and carefree, as well as to pursue their adventures. They are also able to tap into their more primal instincts. They are no longer bound by the rules of society, which means they can act on their impulses more freely. This can lead to them being more violent and aggressive, but it also means they are more free to express themselves.

How their struggles define them and how they overcome them.

Gilgamesh is defined by his struggles in two ways. Firstly, he struggles against himself. He is constantly questioning his actions and motivations, and he is always seeking to find the answer to the question of what it means to be human. Gilgamesh also struggles against the gods. He wants to be immortal like them, and he does not understand why they have to die. Enkidu struggles against the wildness that is within him (Sandars 5). He is constantly fighting against his animal nature, and he only slowly learns to control it. Enkidu also struggles against the civilized world.

Gilgamesh overcomes his struggles by accepting his mortality. He comes to understand that death is a natural part of life and that it is not something to be feared (Sandars 7). He also comes to understand that the gods are not immortal and that they too will die one day. Enkidu overcomes his struggles by learning to control his animal nature. He learns to use his strength and his instincts to protect others instead of using them to harm others. He also learns to accept the civilized world and to live within the rules of society.

What this foundational text describes as the human position in this world.

Gilgamesh is presented as a hero in the text for several reasons. Firstly, he is a courageous figure who is not afraid to take on challenges. He is also a strong leader, which is demonstrated by his ability to defeat the monster Humbaba (Sandars 3). Furthermore, Gilgamesh is a selfless individual who puts the needs of others before his own, as shown by his willingness to help Enkidu defeat the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu is a brave figure. Additionally, Enkidu is a skilled warrior, as demonstrated by his ability to kill the Bull of Heaven (Sandars 14). He is also a loyal friend, as shown by his willingness to help Gilgamesh defeat Humbaba. These heroes are presented as individuals who possess several admirable qualities. This suggests that the text sees these qualities as being important and valuable. Furthermore, the fact that Gilgamesh and Enkidu are both heroic figures suggests that the text views human beings as capable of great things. This is significant because it shows that the text views human beings as being capable of more than just surviving in this world; they are capable of thriving.

The Bhagavad Gita

Arjuna and Krishna are heroes from The Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna is a warrior who is faced with the challenge of choosing between his duty to his kingdom and his duty to his conscience. He is initially reluctant to fight but is eventually convinced to fight by his friend and mentor, Krishna. Krishna is a master teacher. He helps Arjuna to understand his own emotions and to learn to control his destiny. Krishna also teaches Arjuna the art of yoga, which helps him to control his body and mind. Arjuna and Krishna are both ultimately successful in defeating the Kauravas.

What they learn.

The main theme of the Gita is the concept of dharma, which is the everlasting and fundamental character of reality, which Hinduism views as a universal law underpinning morality and social harmony. Arjuna learns that there is a right way to do things and a wrong way and that it is important to follow the right path to achieve success. Krishna also teaches Arjuna about the power of love and compassion (Fosse 29). He tells Arjuna that these qualities are the key to achieving happiness and enlightenment. Through their journey, Arjuna and Krishna learn to trust in themselves and embrace life.

What they are freed from.

Arjuna is freed from the fear of death. He is taught that death is a natural part of life and that life is more important than death. He is freed from his doubt and can fight with courage and conviction. Arjuna is also freed from the fear of failure (Fosse 38-39). Krishna teaches Arjuna that success and failure are both parts of life and that it is important to overcome both fears. Krishna is freed from the fear of pain. He is taught that pain is a natural part of life and that it is important to overcome it. Krishna is also freed from the fear of separation. Krishna teaches Arjuna that it is important to stay connected to others, even when they are gone.

How their struggles define them and how they overcome them.

Arjuna’s struggles revolve around his fear of death. He is faced with the choice of fighting or fleeing, but he cannot choose both. He chooses to fight (Fosse 40). However, his fear still holds him back. Krishna helps him to see that he can overcome his fear by performing great feats of heroism. This allows him to perform great deeds and be a hero for the good of all. Krishna’s struggles revolve around his enemies. They surround him constantly, but he never wavers in his faith or his love for Arjuna. He inspires Arjuna to fight for the good of all, even if it means sacrificing himself. This leads to Arjuna’s transformation into a warrior of great courage.

What this foundational text describes as the human position in this world.

Arjuna is a hero because he is willing to undergo great pain and suffering to learn and understand his role in this world. He is also willing to fight for the rights of others, even if it means sacrificing his own (Fosse 45). Arjuna is a model for others because he is willing to face the challenges of life head-on. Krishna is a hero because he is willing to sacrifice everything to help others. Krishna is willing to put others before himself. He knows that true happiness comes from serving others. The Bhagavad Gita is seen as a foundational text in Hinduism because it presents examples of heroism that apply to the everyday lives of its readers. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the human position in this world is one of constant struggle. We are faced with the choice between following our conscience and following the instructions of those in authority. Our actions in this world have consequences, and we must be willing to face these consequences head-on.

The Odyssey

Odysseus and Achilles are examples of heroes from The Odyssey. Odysseus is the prototypical Greek hero. He is cunning, brave, and resourceful and is known for his wit and intelligence as much as his physical strength. He is also a deeply moral figure, always striving to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Achilles is the greatest warrior of his generation and is known for his courage and strength in battle. He is also a proud and headstrong man who can be violently emotional. However, he is also capable of great loyalty and compassion.

What they learn.

Odysseus and Achilles are both examples of heroes who learn and grow throughout their journeys. For Achilles, this journey is literal, as he goes from Greece to Troy to fight in the Trojan War. Along the way, he learns about the importance of family, friendship, and love (Homer and Palmer 172). He also learns about the horrors of war and the pain of losing those close to him. For Odysseus, the journey is more metaphorical, as he spends years trying to return home from the Trojan War. He learns about the dangers of hubris and the importance of being humble. He also learns about the power of perseverance as he faces many challenges and overcomes them all.

What they are freed from.

Heroes in The Odyssey are often freed from the limitations of their human condition. Achilles is freed from the mortality that his mother tried to impose on him. This allows him to become a great warrior and eventually achieve immortality. Similarly, Odysseus is freed from the limitations of his human condition by the gods, which allows him to become a great leader and achieve a level of fame that is almost godlike (Homer and Palmer 14). Achilles is also freed from the need to be a violent and destructive warrior by being freed from the need to be controlled by his emotions.

How their struggles define them and how they overcome them.

Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus overcomes a series of challenges and obstacles, eventually leading him to become the King of Ithaca. One of the biggest challenges he faces is the challenge of staying away from the sirens, who tempt him with their singing (Homer and Palmer 192). To overcome this, he has himself lashed to the mast of his ship so that he cannot be lured in. This act of self-control and discipline is what ultimately allows him to reach his destination safely. Achilles, on the other hand, is a hero whose journey leads him to a position of authority. He overcomes a series of challenges and obstacles, which eventually allow him to become the leader of the Greek army. One of the biggest challenges he faces is the challenge of fighting against Hector, the prince of Troy. To overcome this, Achilles draws on his strength and prowess as a warrior and eventually defeats Hector. This act of bravery and strength earns him the respect of his fellow Greeks and ultimately leads to him becoming their leader.

What this foundational text describes as the human position in this world.

Odysseus and Achilles are both heroes in The Odyssey because they go on journeys that teach them important lessons and help them to grow as people. For Odysseus, his journey home from Troy is a long and difficult one, but it ultimately teaches him patience, perseverance, and resourcefulness (Homer and Palmer 267). Achilles, on the other hand, starts off his journey as an irate and vengeful person, but he eventually learns to control his anger and value the importance of family and friends. These journeys help to transform both Odysseus and Achilles into better people, and they ultimately end up in positions of authority because of their heroic actions. This says something about what The Odyssey describes as the human position in this world. It shows that humans are capable of great things if they are willing to undertake great journeys and learn from them.

Comparison and Contrast

Both Gilgamesh and Odysseus are epic heroes. They both go on long journeys, have many adventures, and overcome great challenges. They are also both brave and cunning. However, there are some differences between the two. For example, Gilgamesh is a king, while Odysseus is a warrior. Gilgamesh is also more of a physical hero, while Odysseus is more of a mental hero. Gilgamesh is two-thirds god and one-third human, while Odysseus is fully human. Gilgamesh is also much more arrogant and self-centered than Odysseus. Additionally, The Epic of Gilgamesh takes place in the city of Uruk in Mesopotamia, while The Odyssey takes place in Greece.

Conclusion

Each of these heroic figures is presented as a hero because they overcome their struggles through knowledge and understanding. Gilgamesh overcomes his fear of death by learning about the nature of mortality, Arjuna overcomes the cycle of rebirth by learning about dharma, and Odysseus overcomes hubris by learning about the dangers of pride. These heroes are all presented as examples of what it means to be human: to struggle against difficult odds and to triumph through wisdom and understanding ultimately.

Works Cited

Fosse, Lars Martin. The Bhagavad Gita: The Original Sanskrit and an English Translation. First edition ed., YogaVidya.com, 2007.

Homer, and George Herbert Palmer. The Odyssey of Homer. THIRD EDITION ed., Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1892.

Sandars, Nancy Katharine. “The Epic Of Gilgamesh.” The Epic of Gilgamesh, Assyrian International News Agency, http://www.aina.org/books/eog/eog.htm.