Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hero
On the first day of class we stated that a hero was someone who saved the day, has upstanding moral character, brave, noble, honest, etc...After reading this book it is very clear that Gilgamesh does not stand out to be a hero. For one a hero does not terrify their people, control, and rule in fear.(Book 1 pg 73) Also a hero puts people first instead of being sulfish. They do good deeds without wanting to be honored and glorified. Everything he does he wants people to recognize him for it and praise him. A really hero doesnt look for that and do things out of the goodness of their heart.Another reason why i dont think that Gilgamesh is a hero is because he is afraid of death and also because he questions his faith as a man. As a gero you must understand your purpose and accept it.
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2 comments:
I agree that Gilgamesh was not the best example of a hero even though the story labeled him a "hero in the front lines"(p70) and "the hero destined for both joy and grief"(p82). He had many heroic conquests, such as beating Humbaba(p129), killing the Bull of Heaven (p138) and setting off on a dangerous journey to find Utnapishtim and the secrets to immortality, but the motives for his conquests were selfish, irrational, lacked altruism and overall portrayed the opposite of a hero. He had set off to kill Humbaba because he wanted to "make a lasting name for" (p95) himself even though killing Humbaba was not necessary. Gilgamesh did not foresee the consequences of his actions to the detriment of those he supposedly claimed to protect and fight for. Humbaba was no longer alive therefore Cedar Forest was left unprotected and his best friend Enkidu died as a result of what he had done. The only benefits his people obtained from these acts were an example of how not to rule. When he had set out to find Utnapishtim, his irrational state led him to destroy the Stone Men that crewed Urshanabi's boat which were the only beings that "could not be injured by the Waters of Death"(p172). This the same as killing Humbaba was not necessary. His conquests came with severe consequences which ultimately resulted in Gilgamesh losing what he was after which was eternal life."All my hardships have been for nothing...was it for this that my hands have labored,was it for this that I gave my heart's blood? I have gained no benefit for myself..."(p197-198)
I also agree with your contention that Gilgamesh is not a hero, initially, but a hero and his/her qualities are all subjuect to change. A hero, just like a ordinary person, has the ability to grow in character, to make realizations and in effect become something more (or less) than what they are originally. The trials that Gilgamesh faces and the consequences which arise from his actions, force Gilgamesh to grow, to learn to become less of a self indulgent tyrant in which he was before. Only after all his suffering does he gain wisdom and returns to his kingdom, as a compasonate king bearing gifts for his people. In his journey Gilgamesh is offered opportunities to make "leaps and bounds" in growth as a hero which he does not take only at the end of his story do we see the transformation that takes place within Gilgamesh as a hero.
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