ENGLISH 2111 Abia Polytechnic University Values Embodied by the Heroes Paper

User Generated

PFUF

Writing

English 2111

Abia polytechnic university

English

Description

Purpose:  For this assignment, you'll explore one of the topics below, comparing and contrasting Gilgamesh and the Odyssey, and write a 6-10 paragraph essay arguing for and supporting your conclusions.  This assignment will build your writing and analysis skills. 

You may be able to further flesh out the writing you have already done in discussions towards these goals.  If you choose a different topic than the ones on which you have already written, the discussion posts and responses may still be useful and inspiring to you.  However, be careful you don't plagiarize your classmates' work.  We encourage you to use the background material in the course to flush out your own original interpretations and arguments; researching other secondary sources is not required for this assignment, and plagiarism of other sources will not be tolerated.

Tasks:

First, choose one of the following two topics:

  • Topic #1:  Unit 1B's introduction to the Five Great Themes of World Literature states with regard to the hero:  "The surest way to understand what a culture of the past most values is to focus on what it considers heroic, in that a culture recognizes its heroes as embodying its most important ideas, the values that are essential."  Discuss the diverse values that our two epic heroes, Gilgamesh and Odysseys, embody.  Which values embodied by these epic heroes are endorsed or celebrated by their societies?  Are any of their values condemned or rejected by their societies?  Illustrate your discussion with specific examples of the heroes' obligations to their societies and what their values reflect about their cultures.  One of the passages you should quote (all or in part) and analyze is the following:

'I am committed to this enterprise:  to climb the mountain, to cut down the cedar, and leave behind me an enduring name.'  The Counselors of Uruk; the great market, answered him, 'Gilgamesh, you are young, your courage carries you too far, you cannot know what this enterprise means which you plan' (9).

  • Topic #2:  Both Gilgamesh and the Odyssey have central female characters, both mortal ones and goddesses.  Discuss how the two epics deal with such subjects as 
    • what power women have;
    • how central the women are to the events in the epics;
    • to what extend the goddesses exhibit characteristics similar to mortal women;
    • whether women are portrayed as having flaws or traits that are unique to females.

From Gilgamesh, focus on Siduri and possibly Ishtar, Ninsun, or Shamash; for Homer, you have many options, including Penelope, Athena, Anticleia, Circe, Calypso, and Nausicaa.  One of the passages you should quote (all or in part) and analyze is the following:

When the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping.  As for you, Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice.  Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man (25).

Second, write an essay presenting your argument.  Include quotations from the texts as well as additional details that illustrate and enhance the points you are making.  Use the following as an outline of what to include:

  1. Explain the general topic and relevant themes (e.g. heroes, women) and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 1-2 paragraphs).
  2. Apply that topic to both Gilgamesh and to the Odyssey (suggested 4-6 paragraphs).  Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to illustrate your points.  Use in-text citations for the quotations.
  3. Your final page should be your Works Cited page, in MLA format.  It should include the literary texts, as well as any content pages from the course material to which you may have referred.

Don't forget to review the guidelines for How to Succeed in the Written Assignments and the Sample paper in MLA format.  Make sure you save time to submit your draft to Tutor.com via the free Tutoring Services link for helpful feedback before the due date.  All writing assignments have Turnitin enabled for plagiarism detection.

You'll be graded on your ability to explain and analyze your topic thoughtfully through your writing, as well as on your language, organization, and MLA formatting.  Familiarize yourself with the criteria below and the grading requirements by going under Assessments/Rubrics in your nav bar to the Unit 3 Essay Writing Rubric SP21. 

User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool's honor code & terms of service.

Explanation & Answer

Attached. Please let me know if you have any questions or need revisions.

1. Outline
A. Topic: A Comparison and Contrast of the Values Embodied by the Heroes in “The
Odyssey” and “Epic of Gilgamesh”
B. Thesis: The heroes in both stories, Gilgamesh and Odysseus, have different values
that make either loved (since they are upheld and praised), or despised (since their
values are condemned) in the society.
2. Discussion
A. These characters are both heroic in their countries and society, and they are
descendants from the gods, but when it comes to their characters, some are admirable
while others are shunned. These are the differences they have in these stories.
B. Odysseus holds desirable values close to him, which makes him a model in the
society. He is noble, loyal and altruistic. It is these specific values that make him a
valued member of the society, one who is admired.
C. Gilgamesh on the other hand is proud, arrogant, selfish and very aggressive. He fails
to uphold desirable virtues and for these he is condemned.
3. Conclusion
A. Even though different, both men have one value that they share: ambition. As they
both embark on dangerous missions, both are driven by the will to attain their goal.
B. Based on the case of Odysseus and Gilgamesh, it is possible to conclude that in any
work of literature, in order to know the way to know the cultures of the past is to
focus on the heroes, and the characteristics about them that they embody.


Surname 1
Student’s Name
Course No.
Professor
Date
A Comparison and Contrast of the Values Embo...


Anonymous
Really helped me to better understand my coursework. Super recommended.

Studypool
4.7
Trustpilot
4.5
Sitejabber
4.4

Related Tags