Heroism: For Gain or For Good?
Heroism: For Gain or For Good?
Many times, people become heroes not only to do good things in the world, but for personal gain and prosperity, and to make a name for them. People throughout time, from the very beginning, have sought after fame and glory, and have done whatever necessary to reach that. Two classic heroes that stand out in ancient literature are Gilgamesh, from “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” and the great Achilles, from “The Iliad.” These two actually have very many things in common. For one, they are both born of a human father and a mother who was a goddess. Gilgamesh’s mother was the goddess Ninsun, and Achilles’ mother was the goddess Thetis, said to be raised by Hera ...
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Do they act out of heroism alone or for some other motive? And finally, how are the heroes ultimately rewarded for their acts? Are they rewarded at all? Some of these questions can be answered, but some will just continue to be speculated on for years to come.
As far as Gilgamesh is concerned, he did not in fact start out as a hero. In the beginning of the story he is not a very good leader and king to his people. He tortured the women by enforcing his right to sleep with them on their wedding night, and he tortured the men by forcing them to complete strenuous tasks. Even through this, he still has the qualities of a hero. He is brave, for one. When he is called to the forest to defeat the evil Humbaba, he does his duty and goes even though he is likely very frightened. That takes real bravery. He is also highly skilled in battle, because he does indeed defeat Humbaba, with his dear friend Enkidu’s help. And like many heroes, including Achilles, he longs for glory and ...
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quest to become immortal, however, he failed, and perhaps that is how it was supposed to be all along. In most ancient stories and myths, the gods keep the power of immortality to them and hold it sacred above all. The gods meant for humans to be mortal and to eventually die, whether the humans like it or not. After all, if humans were immortal, what would make them different from the gods? Most gods in mythology stories are arrogant and proud, and hold themselves high in esteem above humans. In the end, it does not seem that Gilgamesh was rewarded, so his efforts, however brave and well-attempted, did not prove successful. Achilles, from “The Iliad,” is an entirely different ...
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Heroism: For Gain or For Good?. (2011, April 21). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroism-For-Gain-or-For-Good/98289
"Heroism: For Gain or For Good?." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroism-For-Gain-or-For-Good/98289>
"Heroism: For Gain or For Good?." Essayworld.com. April 21, 2011. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroism-For-Gain-or-For-Good/98289.
"Heroism: For Gain or For Good?." Essayworld.com. April 21, 2011. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroism-For-Gain-or-For-Good/98289.
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