Question 1
Several epic characteristics are there in Homer's "The Odyssey" which unmistakably defines the poem as epic. The poem is epic since it is lengthy, elevated in style and has heroic figures present that experience many problems during the course of history. Homer shows out these personalities clearly in the brave figure of Odysseus, a guy struggling to come back to his domicile in Ithaca after achieving victory in the Trojan fight. Odysseus is the chief personality of the sonnet and is distinctive of an ambitious brave man. He is a war champion, deeply admired, he is even known as "Odysseus, master mariner and warrior" (435) by Circe. He is experiences many ups and downs but ever tends to overcome them even more than before.
In the opening paragraph of "The Odyssey," a cogitate is called upon by Homer: "Sing in me, ponder, and throughout me tell the story”. The incantation of a thought and the subject statement is both main personalities of a hero. Homer also starts "The Odyssey" at the center of the narrative, which is attributive of a grand, as well. An additional epic trait that can be established in is the bulkiness of the background. "The Odyssey's" background spans out in large expanses, and Odysseus moves to many diverse places as he returned to Ithaca.
Odysseus canopies Cyclops in his eye by pricking on his encounter with him, and then slips away among his men by traversing beneath the Cyclops' personal rams. In one more exploration, Odysseus settles on the atoll of the Greek spirit Circe who transforms his staff into pigs. Odysseus yet again plans a way to beat her, deliver his men, and go back to the sea. Supernatural forces are also part of the design of a grand both serving and deterring the hero. Athena is liable for Odysseus' ability to flee from Calypso's land mass whilst the divinity Poseidon is answerable for placing him.
Question two
The Cosmogony in the Bible is almost related to Ovid’s metamorphoses. The Bible starts by giving an account of how the universes came into existence. God is illustrated as the creator. Creation in the bible is a divine act that lies in the ability of God. Before God’s initial acts of creation, the world was filled with darkness and was void.
The world was full of chaos and God started by restoring order in the universe. After bringing order to the world God brought about light from the sun and the moon that were not showing any light to the world before evolution. After lighting the world, God separated the sky and the dry land then the seas and vegetation followed. The creatures that followed in the order of creation according to the cosmogony in the bible are the luminaries, then living creatures both in the sea and land. The final creature to be created was man. As the final creation, God blessed man to be powerful over all the creatures that have been created.
Ovid’s metamorphoses and the Bible’s cosmogony are related as both starts by explaining how the world came into existence. They both describe the world before creation as a disorderly environment that composed of a lone aspect. It was unfit for human livelihood. Before the existence of man, God had to reorganise the world for human livelihood.
After accessing His works of creation God was pleased and he termed his creation as good. Then He sanctified the next day to be a holy day where no other work should be done. The order of creation for the two cosmogonies is almost similar. The first to be created according to Ovid’s metamorphoses was light. The order of creation for both was symmetrical. The final creation for both cosmogonies is man who was created in the likeness of the creator. Man is empowered with abilities, which are almost like the creator.
Question three
Odyssey and Gilgamesh presents epic poems as the written documents explaining on the actions of any given hero. These poems are usually long and accounts for what the hero did in the process of emerging the best among a category of individuals.
In both Odyssey and Gilgamesh, the heroes are well known and the society feels anxious wherever their names are mention. The society strongly believes that these heroes do possess supernatural powers and that they are capable of action beyond the capability of normal human being. Gilgamesh was highly feared by the people under his control whereas people who came as wife suitors feared Odysseus.
Both had a clear vision of achieving whatever they wanted. They were determining that nothing swayed them from these targets. Gilgamesh seeks to live forever but Odyssey wanted to live together with the family as one. His main aim was uniting the family. Finally, Odyssey and Gilgamesh together went through similar events that contributed to their level of success. These events had positive implication placing the two heroes in a better position than they were initially.
Contrary, Odyssey was not arrogant. He was humble and he did possess an outstanding qualities. He came from a humble family and given this fact, he grew up as a humble hero. Gilgamesh on the other hand was not humble. He did brag of his title and never consulted any one on his undertakings. Odysseus was a warrior in the Greek land now commonly known as Europe whereas Gilgamesh was in the Mid Eastern. They therefore were two heroes in two different locations.
Odysseus had a clear relationship with his family. Men’s position was so crucial and it shapes the family. A strong man was highly considered and this determines the next leader. A strong man who was in the leadership throne had the power to appoint his boy as a leader given that he was also strong. Gilgamesh family was very close. They had strong family ties, which help them, stay together as one throughout his rein.
Odysseus had a number of friends. This was highly associated with his humble behavior, which saw him developing good relationships with friends. Gilgamesh on the other hand had few friends. His friends were from his own family since everyone feared him.
Odysseus had clear and reputable relation with god. His ways was built on the spiritual principles, which gave him a lot of wisdom. Gilgamesh was not highly attached to his gods. He was the type of leader who did things his way. He believed no one was better than he was.
Odysseus had friendly relationships with the world around him. He valued each and everyone and his name was common all over the world. He was known to be a great hero who fought for his people with their help. Gilgamesh on the other hand was known to the world as a hero who did his things without the considering other peoples opinion. He work on his own and this highly ruin his relationship with the world surrounding him.
The similarities and differences in this two epic portray their culture. Gilgamesh popularity was important aspect in determination of his culture. This is because it shows their religion has considering everyone’s view and therefore their culture was incorporating new people in the society and welcoming to all. Odyssey was known for his personality. It is during this that Greek culture was known as a culture that was not so much considerate. It only considers their values and was not welcoming as Gilgamesh.
Question four
In reference to the story of the protagonist and his spiritual guide (Krishna), we can affirm that it is difficult to be a warrior and on the other end a religious leader. This comes with its merits and demerits, whereby the demerits overcome the merits. It is evident enough that you can’t mix bloodshed with holiness; this is against all the values that the society lives upon, secondly, we can also affirm that power can’t be mixed with violence in quest for justice or anything for that matter, this is because power is concerned with all ills that are against humanity, whereas power concern itself with the welfare of human life, lastly, being a spiritual leader associates itself with all the qualities that abides by the Christian qualities.
A perfect example of a real life occurrence of Arjuna’s leadership can be associated with that on of Adolf Hitler; the German during the 2nd world war of 1940-45, Hitler was a dictator at his capacity as a leader. He dictated over the German citizens and all the foreigners who lived in Germany, He was also opposed to all the regime of the leaders that were associated to the outgoing president. He even dictated to all the treaties that had been signed between Germany and the neighboring nations that were against any invasion into the neighbor’s territory. Adolf went ahead and called for war, he wanted to take over the Europe, and he believed and trusted that with his able army he could do anything in order to win.
Adolf called for war and won over France and Britain, but due to his nature of dictatorship, he wouldn’t listen to his advisors when they informed him they were running out of arsenal in the armory, thus he continued with the war and ordered all his soldiers that there was no turning back, the soldiers ran out of arsenal, thus the opposition side began invading into Germany. Germany lost their battle and Hitler chose to kill himself and his wife so that he couldn’t see the wrath of the invaders.
