Essays on Agamemnon

Gilgamesh and Achilles are famous heroes from ancient epics of Mesopotamian and Greek cultures, respectively. The traits of each hero reveal clues as to their cultural ideals. The two characters share a sense of pride and a need for glory, but they differ in that Gilgamesh’s top quality is his strength where as Achilles’ is his fighting ability. Gilgamesh and Achilles are both mortal, but they differ in their key qualities. Gilgamesh has superior physical strength; this is his main heroic quality. He is also courageous and quick-witted. Achilles, on the other hand, is a proficient warrior. The ...

Why do the myths, works of art and literature history and artwork concerning the Trojan war furnish such a great opportunity to engage all the major questions of life and society and of the humanities The Trojan War which is a legendary conflict between the people of Troy and the Greeks is said to have been fought for about 10 years with great influence from the gods. The myths and the arts value the Trojan War because it shows that mortals are subject to the fate decided upon them by the gods. In this case, Zeus saw that the ...

The Mask of Agamemnon

There are a lot of artworks that will always contain some secret concerning its true origin and authenticity. One of such sculptures is definitely the case with the Mask of Agamemnon. This artifact from the Greek Bronze Age was discovered by distinguished German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, in Mycenae dated 1876. After the stunning discovery of the real location of the legendary Troy, Schliemann was next planning to find the final resting place of Agamemnon, the famous king of ancient Mycenae who headed the Greek troops during the Trojan War. All his grand triumphs and tribulations are eulogized in Homer’ ...

This paper considers the shared ideas among Homer, Dante Alighieri, Virgil, and the anonymous writer of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The idea of paradise and hell, right, and wrong, retribution, and reward are evident in the texts with some of them bearing a close resemblance to each other. For the conclusion, there will be an analysis of how the authors’ perceptions echo in present-day societies. Perhaps the most common theme availed in all the reading is pride. In the texts, pride dominates the actions of the heroes and even propels some to act irrationally for the sake ...

Questions and Answers

1. Review Dante’s Inferno 1. What is the purpose of Dante’s journey? The purpose of Dante’s journey through hell is two-fold. The first reason is to showcase hell and remind Christians the fate that awaits them if they did not follow God’s word. The idea was to scare readers into an upright and Christian lifestyle. Secondly, there is some political ideology as well. When he shows famous people in hell, such as the previous Popes Boniface and Nicholas III, he is condemning some of the political and religious leaders of his time. This was his ...

Compare and contrast Achilles in Dante’s Inferno and Homer’s Iliad

Compare and contrast Achilles in Dante’s Inferno and Homer’s Iliad

Introduction

Dante Alighieri in his legendary text, Inferno, believes that anyone who committed unacceptable deeds would be damned eternally among the nine circles of Hell. Without a doubt, people like Achilles were to be found in these circles. Specifically, Achilles existed in Hell’s second circle. He qualified for this circle by being not only extremely selfish but lacking self-control, having raging passions and betraying his country at times. These descriptions paint Achilles largely in weakness. His description of Hell focuses mainly on his failings rather than his ...

Literature is entertaining and provides valuable lessons on various subjects to the reader. A writer must use different methods to pass their message across to the reader. Some of the time, the idea maybe plain, but possess a hidden meaning to engage the reader’s mind. The methods used by writers in accomplishing this fete are known as literacy devices. There are several literacy devices that play various roles in literature: chiefly among them is the theme of the story. Writers tell a story through the characters and reveal the theme through the events in the story. For instance, ...

The god[s] find fault with flimsy vow or sacrifice.

The priest pities the dishonored Agamemnon. As the bride price of the daughter was high, Apollo deals death alone. He unleashed the plague on the Greeks. The soothsayer urges the king to heed the god’s desires, Pay the price for the dancing-eyed girl to her father the priest. The formal sacrifice will allow Agamemnon to keep his new bride Since the marriage of Chryseis to the king appeases the god. Atreus’ son, the warlord Agamemnon, Desperate and pitiful, unlike twin black thunderheads, Turned to the soothsayer: You never give me a good omen. You prophesy doom, and that ...

One of the social institutions that play a very vital role in the Oddessy by homer is the family, the importance of the family and home are highly emphasised in this work of art, and the main character Odysseus really demonstrates the role of home and the family. The main theme in this epic novel is reunification of the family and this is illustrated by the attempts of the protagonist to return home and reunite with his wife and son. The entire novel highlights various examples of families (Stubbings 89). There are good families that prosper and there are bad ...

The life and character of Achilles, the greatest warrior, is significantly changed as a result of the things he say (he is a man who means his words and can go to the extremes so as to achieve his mission), the things he does, and the choices he make (the choice of fate of death over shame). His character changes significantly all through the poem due to the sufferings that he goes through including the loss of his greatest friend Patroklos. His decisions, actions and omissions dictate the destiny of other warriors. This is brought out clearly right from his quarrel ...

1. The battle within the individual between the greater good of the community and personal desires is just about as old as time itself; the decision that Gilgamesh made to leave his kingdom unattended while he pursued the gift of eternal life for his friend, Enkidu, could have had disastrous consequences, but he decided to do it anyway. The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest works of literature that we still have today, and the same battles rage within us today. Many of the myths and tales that we have read show this to be true as ...