What are your views on the Trojan War, as presented by Homer? Does the war seem to be fought for a just cause? Are we meant to take these events as seriously and solemnly as Homer and his characters seem to?
Sometimes, when comparing works of literature, we see things that we didn’t originally notice when reading the stories individually. With this in mind, think back to week 1 and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Where do you see similarities in character, theme, plot, or style between that earlier epic and the Iliad? How do you think Gilgamesh influenced Homer’s work? What are any important differences you see between the two stories?
Sample Solution
There are many similarities between The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad. One of the most notable is their shared focus on great heroes with superhuman qualities. In both stories, the main characters – Gilgamesh and Achilles – embody courage, strength, and a heroic spirit that allows them to endure difficult obstacles throughout their respective journeys. Both tales also feature themes of mortality, hubris, divine intervention, and destiny as central components. In terms of plot structure, both epic poems follow a similar framework: they begin with an introduction to the hero(s), followed by events that lead up to some sort of conflict or challenge that must be overcome in order for resolution (and often times redemption). Finally, Homer’s style is heavily influenced by Gilgamesh; his vivid descriptions and poetic language are reminiscent of earlier Mesopotamian works such as The Epic of Gilgamesh which employed hyperbolic imagery and exaggerated similes/metaphors to convey messages more effectively.
The main difference between these two epics lies in the tone used to tell each story. While The Epic of Gilgamesh presents its narrative with an air of reverence towards its subject matter (as symbolized through its use religious language), the Iliad takes a more realistic approach by depicting acts war violence realistically without glamorizing them any way – this helps drive point home about how devastating consequences can be from even small decisions made during heat battle etc.. Ultimately both texts serve provide insight into human experiences albeit different ways so while we may not take events such Trojan War seriously solemnly like Homer’s characters did still important recognize impact had mankind continues live it today!
Sample Solution
There are many similarities between The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad. One of the most notable is their shared focus on great heroes with superhuman qualities. In both stories, the main characters – Gilgamesh and Achilles – embody courage, strength, and a heroic spirit that allows them to endure difficult obstacles throughout their respective journeys. Both tales also feature themes of mortality, hubris, divine intervention, and destiny as central components. In terms of plot structure, both epic poems follow a similar framework: they begin with an introduction to the hero(s), followed by events that lead up to some sort of conflict or challenge that must be overcome in order for resolution (and often times redemption). Finally, Homer’s style is heavily influenced by Gilgamesh; his vivid descriptions and poetic language are reminiscent of earlier Mesopotamian works such as The Epic of Gilgamesh which employed hyperbolic imagery and exaggerated similes/metaphors to convey messages more effectively.
The main difference between these two epics lies in the tone used to tell each story. While The Epic of Gilgamesh presents its narrative with an air of reverence towards its subject matter (as symbolized through its use religious language), the Iliad takes a more realistic approach by depicting acts war violence realistically without glamorizing them any way – this helps drive point home about how devastating consequences can be from even small decisions made during heat battle etc.. Ultimately both texts serve provide insight into human experiences albeit different ways so while we may not take events such Trojan War seriously solemnly like Homer’s characters did still important recognize impact had mankind continues live it today!