Epic Heroic poetry Essay

Epic/ Heroic meter can be easily delineate through comparing and contrasting the exploits and relationships of the characters Achilles and Partrioclus from the Iliad and that of Gilgamesh and Enkindu. Their relationships moreover encourage to define brave/ wonderfulal verse line through their similarities and balances. The characters excessively cooperate in clarifying this explanation in both the idea and nature of their geniusism. twain Gilgamesh and Achilles also reiterate the commentary of howling(a) meter/ heroic rime by their differences and similarities in their own styles of heroism. By tracing these elements of the dickens heroes and their relationships with their close friends, not only is the definition of heroic/heroic poetry clear, further the fundamental differences between epic poetry and lyrical poetry generate evident.The exploits of both twains of characters from the two stories help define epic/ heroic poetry, because the exploits of both ch aracters 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 root told orally and then latter scripted waste. These stories were ab bulge out heroes that see godlike qualities, in-person power, patriotism and loyalty. We find that both pairs consume these qualities, in some of the same shipway and in some ways that be diverse. At the beginning of the pairs adventures we name a difference the understanding of what they atomic number 18 struggle for. Gilgamesh had righteous gained a friend that was similar to him and he precious to go out and make a name for himself by conquering the unconquerable. Achilles however, was fighting to perplex home the beautiful womanhood of their land.Through the exploits we reckon more differences, Achilles is hold back by war and pride for his rustic and through this he obtains bigness. Whereas Gilgamesh goes out in search of greatness for example, in Gilgameshs and Enkidus first adventure they sting down the cedar forest just to defy Humbaba and prove they can do it. A affinity is seen along Gilgameshs quest for recognition and Achilles quest of for control of what was rightfully his, both end up losing a friend. Both men experience the jailbreak on themselves for the loss of their friends. Achilles believes that it is his fault because when Patroclus dies he is wearing Achilles armor. Gilgamesh thinks that the oddment 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 ara 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 stay true to their f riends steady by and by(prenominal) 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 im mortality and try to bring Enkidu back to demeanor. Achilles approach to dealing with Patroclus death was to risk his life and reenter the war for vengeance. The relationships are similar in that women play 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 varied. Enkidu is brought to Gilgamesh to be his downfall, alone through Gilgameshs strength Enkidu is won over and they become friends for what they can do for each other egotistically. Whereas Patroclus has been a longtime friend of Achilles and their knowledge 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 admit 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 found in the way this is proved untrue. It seems as though the Gilgamesh and Achilles carry on and act as though they are immortal because of their greatness in battle and part-Goodness. Through the death of their friends they realize that these are not qualities that they posses s and this leads them down different roads, which in turn brings them death. For Gilgamesh this brings the fame that he searched for, but cost him his life. For Achilles, true vengeance came with the charge of his own life. Either way these characters ends set up the qualities of heroic/epic poetry.Achilles heroism is different than Gilgameshs because his purpose is different. Achilles has a fountain to fight he cares not what concourse think of him, but fights for what he believes, and has an multitude to back his cause and therefore is looked upon as a hero by his people. Gilgamesh goes out alone in search of his fame and renown 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 point in time for fame of having the upper hand over other god-like being.Gilgamesh and the Iliad with both their plot and character sim ilarities and differences help to create the definition of epic/heroic poetry. Both these stories show characters with god-like qualities, 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 easy to see how it differs from lyrical poetry. lyric poetry is much more world-wide 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 shamt look up to George cap as a God-like person even though he was a great warrior. With lyrical poetry however, we can indicate it anytime and compare the issues to issues in our own lives.