Epic Heroic poetry Essay

Epic/ Heroic meter can be easily defined through with(predicate) comparison and contrasting the exploits and relationships of the credits Achilles and Partrioclus from the Iliad and that of Gilgamesh and Enkindu. Their relationships furthermore help to define heroic/epos poetry through their similarities and differences. The characters also help in clarifying this comment in both the idea and nature of their heroism. Both Gilgamesh and Achilles also reiterate the definition of heroic/epic poetry by their differences and similarities in their own styles of heroism. By tracing these elements of the deuce heroes and their relationships with their close friends, not only is the definition of epic/heroic poetry clear, but the fundamental differences between epic poetry and lyrical poetry buy the farm evident.The exploits of both pairs of characters from the two stories help define epic/ heroic poetry, because the exploits of both characters fall in line with the definition of epic/ heroic poetry. Epic poetry is known as the one of the earliest forms of literature and was first told orally and then latter written down(a). These stories were ab appear heroes that show godlike qualities, personal power, patriotism and loyalty. We find that both pairs possess these qualities, in some of the same ways and in some ways that are different. At the beginning of the pairs adventures we see a difference the reason of what they are fighting for. Gilgamesh had just gained a friend that was similar to him and he wanted to go out and puddle a name for himself by conquering the unconquerable. Achilles however, was fighting to bring home the beautiful woman of their land.Through the exploits we see more differences, Achilles is driven by struggle and pride for his country and through this he obtains greatness. Whereas Gilgamesh goes out in search of greatness for example, in Gilgameshs and Enkidus first adventure they cut down the cedar forest just to defy Humbaba and prove they can do it. A similarity is seen along Gilgameshs quest for recognition and Achilles quest of for manoeuvre of what was rightfully his, both end up losing a friend. Both men take the fault on themselves for the loss of their friends. Achilles believes that it is his fault because when Patroclus dies he is wearing Achilles harness. Gilgamesh thinks that the stopping point of Enkidu is also his fault because he turned down the goddess that in turn killed Enkidu. Even though they have their differences and similarities, both relationships express qualities of epic/heroic poetry.The definition of heroic/epic poetry is also evident in the area of loyalty, this is shown in the relationship similarities and differences that Gilgamesh has with Enkidu and Achilles has with Patroclus. We see that the relationships that both heroes have are the same, in that they detain true to their friends even after death. In this part is where we also see a difference in their loyalty. Gilgameshs approach to dealing with the grief of Enkidus death is to find immortality and try to bring Enkidu back to life. Achilles approach to dealing with Patroclus death was to risk his life and reenter the war for avenging. The relationships are similar in that women guide a part in both of the pairs lives and the deaths of their companions.Enkidu is brought into Gilgameshs life because he gives himself to a harlot who tames him and is then ironically taken out of Gilgameshs life because Gilgamesh wont give himself to a woman. Achilles is fighting for a woman and in turn Patroclus is killed because he is thought to be Achilles because of the armor he is wearing. A difference in the relationships of the pairs is seen in what they mean to each other. Enkidu is brought to Gilgamesh to be his downfall, but through Gilgameshs strength Enkidu is won over and they break down friends for what they can do for each other egotistically. Whereas Patroclus has been a longtime friend of Achilles an d their friendship and loyalty was built over time.The definition of epic poetry is shown through the nature of the four characters heroism because through this they display godlike qualities and personal power. They all show heroism through their godlike qualities because of their direct association with Gods of their time. A similarity in the heroism exists because of the mortality of the companions of Gilgamesh and Achilles. A similarity is that both Enkidu and Patroclus had God-like and heroic characteristics, thought to exist because of their friendships. Another similarity is lay out in the way this is proven untrue. It seems as though the Gilgamesh and Achilles carry on and act as though they are immortal because of their greatness in fighting and part-Goodness. Through the death of their friends they realize that these are not qualities that they possess and this leads them down different roads, which in turn brings them death. For Gilgamesh this brings the fame that he se arched for, but cost him his life. For Achilles, true vengeance came with the price of his own life. Either way these characters ends fulfill the qualities of heroic/epic poetry.Achilles heroism is different than Gilgameshs because his purpose is different. Achilles has a reason to fight he cares not what people think of him, but fights for what he believes, and has an army to back his cause and therefore is looked upon as a hero by his people. Gilgamesh goes out alone(predicate) in search of his fame and glory hoping to create a legacy. Gilgamesh stakes a claim as a hero by creating the situations that make a hero. It seems as though if these two stories took place in the same era, that Gilgamesh would be after Achilles head for fame of having the upper hand over another god-like being.Gilgamesh and the Iliad with both their plot and character similarities and differences help to create the definition of epic/heroic poetry. Both these stories show characters with god-like qualitie s, personal power, patriotism and loyalty. Each storys characters and plots express these ideas differently in the way that the stories are carried out, but they do posses the qualities that make up such a story. Fundamentally after breaking down epic poetry it is user-friendly to see how it differs from lyrical poetry. Lyrical poetry is much more universal in time and subject matter. It describes love, and feelings that are unchanging through time. To compare the two, the ideas of epic poetry are outdated, for example we dont look up to George Washington as a God-like person even though he was a great warrior. With lyrical poetry however, we can read it anytime and compare the issues to issues in our own lives.