1.490) Both characters are headstrong warriors; the epics do relate their preeminence in battle. Neither man is concerned with family life nor with romantic relationships with women, such things have no place in the epic hero's life. The major relationships in each hero's life are with their mother, to whom they look for advice and protection, and with their heroic partner. It is from these relationships they gain the most wisdom and development. .
The characters Enkidu and Patroclus are outwardly similar, static sidemen, although they perish in different ways, it is primarily their deaths that mold the lasting character and fame of their leader. Enkidu does develop more than Patroclus, and this may mean that he is a more complex character, or it may mean that the background and character of Patroclus was simply well-known in the epic tradition and the necessity to explicitly develop him in the Iliad which is extant did not exist. What we know about Enkidu is more satisfying. Enkidu was created by the gods as a rival to Gilgamesh, and is therefore younger. Gilgamesh was terrifying his subjects and the gods created Enkidu to "be a match for the storm of his heartso Uruk may be rested" (Gilgamesh 1.98-100). Enkidu lives in the wild, uncivilized, and runs with the beasts. On the other hand, Patroclus comes to Phthia with his father Menoetius after accidentally killing a friend in a game of dice in order to find refuge and escape persecution (Il. 23.100). Both characters then are in their early life are violent, although they are not necessarily at fault for that violence, but it will shape their lives. They are also in a sense uncivilized, Enkidu literally, and Patroclus because he has killed another human being for no reason and then fled that particular civilization's jurisdiction to escape the consequences of his action. Both characters are also lower in rank than their leaders, who are both kings and semi-divine.
The ancient Greeks started the alphabet, building structures and literature. ... Ancient Greek literature became the model for all later literature. ... The first important form of Greek literature was epic poetry. ... Hesiod shows us another way of how people are looked at as heroes. ... Literature in ancient Greece set the stage for a whole new era of literature. ...
In ancient epics, the hero traditionally represents that culture's ideals and appeals to the citizens on a personal level; however, as the epic tradition progresses, the author increasingly begins to use the hero and other central characters as a tool to promote his own agenda: to shape, and potentially change, the values of his society. ... Even though the events of The Iliad take place during the Trojan War of the Greek Bronze Age, the epic was formed during the Greek Dark Age in a society which was heavily dependent on the warrior class (Lowrey 1). During this time, the Ancient Greeks ...
Most, if not all, of ancient Greek history comes to us from Homer and Hesiod. ... Surviving literature by Hesiod includes but are not limited to Works and Days and Theogony. ... Ancient Greeks esteemed Homer's epic poems as symbols of Hellenistic unity and heroism and as sources of moral and practical instruction. ... It is plain to see that both Homer and Hesiod played a significant role in their times as ancient Greeks, but it is modern society that they have influences most. ... It is these two authors that tell us about the ancient Greeks as well as about ourselves. ...
This ancient civilization's history is recollected for its amazing feats and notable achievements in the subjects of philosophy, literature, art, pottery, music, dance, theatre, science, mathematics and many more. ... One of the most famous events to the world today first began in Ancient Greece. ... Through studying the Olympic games Ancient Greece's religious customs and importance is identified. ... This Ancient Greece event illustrates how politics influenced the structure of government and how their society operated. One example of this is that "the highest reward of the g...
The author carefully analyzes the well-known stories of Ancient Greece, primarily The Odyssey and Iliad, which are accepted as accurate sources of Ancient Greek history. ... The author rarely explains the great stories of the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece without identifying it's historical impact, relating it to actual events, or explaining how it describes the values and morals of the men living in Greece in that time period. ... The development and advancement in literature is probably the greatest historical result occurring within the time period of Ancient Greece. ... A major co...
Literature in ancient Greece set the stage for a whole new era of literature. ... This is how the ancient Greeks started the alphabet, building structures and literature. ... Ancient Greek literature became the model for all later literature. ... The first important form of Greek literature was epic poetry. ... In ancient Greece, drama was a form of literature. ...
An epic hero is superhuman. ... Epic heroes possess many traits. These traits are constantly repeated in modern and ancient literature. ... Epic heroes often seek fame, unlike modern heroes. ... It comes from ancient Greece, one of the world's richest civilizations. ...
Ancient Greek Society Ancient Greece thrived from the third millennium to the first century B.C. ... Religion was the central role to every aspect of life in ancient Greece. ... Many of the myths informed how all of these gods or goddesses were heroes. ... Their sons learned to read, write, and quote famous literature. ... Slaves had no power or status in Ancient Greece. ...
The success of his journey has led several to argue whether or not Odysseus is an epic hero. ... The summary before the Cyclops section affirms his lack of supernatural powers: "Odysseus is the cleverest of the Ancient Greek heroes because his divine guardian is the goddess of wisdom, Athena" (898). ... The intense bravery of this hero is eminent throughout this epic. ... Odysseus is definitely worthy of the title of epic hero. ... Through the retrogressions, his heroic qualities shine through, sealing his title as an epic hero. ...
