Rama and Gilgamesh: What Makes a Hero

Rama and Gilgamesh are great examples of displaying heroism. These two men both have similar quests to becoming great, as well as having wisdom and having enough strength to be considered a hero. A hero is defined as someone who is a warrior and is admired for their courageous qualities. In this story, both Rama and Gilgamesh overcome several challenging events, which is why most people consider them to be heroes. One example of Rama being heroic is when he admitted that he was wrong about the situation of Sita cheating.

Another example is when he was able to rid the world of evil. An illustration of Gilgamesh’s heroism is when he admits that his journey to immortality was just for the mere fact to cope with his friend Enkidu’s death.

Because of these situations, they are what is considered to be a hero. This also shows how both of them can admit to their faults and are able to overcome their doings.

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the story is about how Gilgamesh is on a journey for immortality. He was considered a priest king of the city-state of Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia. He is also considered two-thirds divine and one-third human. Some might say that he is arrogant, oppressive and brutal, but as the story goes on, it is obvious how he changes and starts to embody the qualities that make him a hero. The main reason that changed Gilgamesh’s views on everything is his friend Enkidu.

Get quality help now

Doctor Jennifer

Verified

Proficient in: Epic Of Gilgamesh

5 (893)

“ Thank you so much for accepting my assignment the night before it was due. I look forward to working with you moving forward ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Enkidu is part human and part wild animal. He plays a huge role in Gilgamesh’s journey in becoming a hero.

“Enkidu’s death brings Gilgamesh face to face with mortality. He mourns for Enkidu bitterly for seven days and nights”. This excerpt from the story shows how Gilgamesh is questioning how to go on without Enkidu and how he can change as a person to change the outcome of his friend’s passing. Gilgamesh is on a journey for immortality, while still grieving the loss of his friend Enkidu. As he is grieving, he is on the search for the guarded passage. As he is traveling, he says to himself, “Shall I not die too? Am I not like Enkidu? Oh woe has entered my vitals”. This quote shows that Gilgamesh is searching for answers while avoiding his old tactics and approaching situations differently. Gilgamesh is searching for immortality because he fears death, which is why this journey is very important to him. This was a major turning point in the story because he is questioning everything there is to know about life itself.

The fact that he has such a good connection with the other gods is another reason why he is a hero. He also faces many quests, as well as defeating many monsters both externally and internally. On his way back from the quest, he has come back as a greater and more knowledgeable king. Rama is another great example of a hero because he is following the book of Dharma and never puts his own situations or problems before the laws of Dharma. Rama was an exceptional man when it came to his skills in battle, as well as his loyalty to his family. This story shows that he only wants to do good for everyone. He was very devoted to the book of Dharma, just like his ancestors were. He states that, “Among our ancestors were renowned kings who earned fame and heaven by doing their fathers’ bidding”.

This quote shows that he is loyal to his ancestors and will do anything that is needed in order to pass the tradition down. His wife, Sita, plays a vital role in his development as a great hero. After a battle that Rama fought in he sees Sita and does not want anything to do with her anymore, so he says, “Your conduct is open to suspicion, hence even your sight is displeasing to me”. This quote shows that he is displeased with Sita because after his battle with Ravana, he says that he touched her sexually and that she is no longer pure. Sita was very upset with this and told Rama that she is willing to be put in fire in order to prove her purity to him. The purpose of Rama’s whole quest was to rid the world of evil and by Sita stepping into the fire, his quest was fulfilled. At that point, there was no more evil or impurity left in the world. The fire represents cleansing, which brought them closer together. Their connection grew stronger, which made Rama a more modest, better man and even a better husband. Even though he went through all these challenges and obstacles, he has shown that he has developed a greater respect for the world.

The story about Sita and Rama also shows how he has become a better person. In conclusion, I believe that a hero is defined as someone who is a warrior and is admired for their courageous qualities. Both Rama and Gilgamesh have shown exemplary characteristics of heroism by the way in which they acknowledge their own faults and past experiences. As a result, they work towards turning themselves around to become greater people. Gilgamesh has shown great heroism in his story of bravery by having great intellect, which people had mistaken as arrogance. Rama also showed heroism in his bravery in war and selflessness as a man. I believe that these are all key components to creating heroism. They both did things that others were not capable of or could not achieve. Many times, these achievements come from within, not even realizing that you are achieving greatness. On the other hand, others can also achieve heroism by working hard and showing goodness towards others. It is obvious that heroism can be defined in so many different ways. Gilgamesh and Rama’s journeys were very different from one another, but ended in the same result: being a hero.