Assignment 2 Project Paper – Comparative Essay Due We 790541

Assignment 2 Project Paper – Comparative Essay Due Week 8 and worth 200

This “Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our HUM 111 class. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities as an organized, innovative, and critical thinker. If approached properly, it should also be fun! Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below.

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows instructions and covers each part of the topic. Your instructor may require you to submit your topic choice for approval before the end of Week 5. For the topic you choose: Establish a clear thesis about your topic as part of the introductory paragraph. The thesis is often determined after basic research and outlining, but it should be placed in the first paragraph of your paper. This is a comparative essay.

Comparison should be approached with critical thinking. Use a point-by-point structure: mention both subjects in most paragraphs to compare similarities and contrasts throughout the essay. Do not do one subject completely first, then the other; this can cause the comparison to be lost. Focus on a few specific insights and issues about the subjects, develop a thesis, and draw lessons from it. Include a concluding paragraph that refers back to your thesis, demonstrating support. You may also include observations connecting your study to the modern workplace or society. Finish with a strong conclusion.

Use at least three (3) academic sources, including one (1) from the class text. Wikipedia and similar sites are not acceptable sources. Consult the Blackboard Resource Center for guidance. Include a cover page with the assignment title, your name, the professor’s name, course title, and date. The cover page and references do not count toward the page limit. Follow APA style for citations and references, including both in-text citations and a reference list.

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman, font size 12, with one-inch margins. Proper organization, paragraphing, grammar, and mechanics are required. All sources must be properly acknowledged and cited in APA style. The assignment’s objectives include explaining cultural and artistic contributions to history, situating cultural expressions in their historical context, analyzing influences on social and cultural expressions, and applying findings to modern society or the workplace.

Paper For Above instruction

Choosing the topic of "Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus" allows for a rich comparative analysis rooted in their respective epic tales from ancient cultures. This essay explores their heroic qualities, encounters with monsters, cultural reflections, and implications for modern hero notions, structured through a point-by-point comparison.

Introduction

The concept of heroism has been central to numerous ancient narratives, shaping cultural ideals and societal expectations. Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk from Mesopotamian mythology, and Odysseus, the cunning Greek hero of Homer’s Odyssey, exemplify different facets of heroism rooted in their respective cultures. While both confront monsters—Gilgamesh with Humbaba and Odysseus with Polyphemus—their tales reflect contrasting ideals regarding strength, intelligence, and morality. This essay compares these two figures’ hero qualities, the cultural values they embody, and how these ancient ideals influence modern perceptions of role models.

Heroic Qualities of Gilgamesh and Odysseus

Gilgamesh and Odysseus display distinctive heroic qualities shaped by their cultural contexts. Gilgamesh embodies the archetype of the physically strong, invincible ruler, whose heroism is primarily demonstrated through his strength and relentless pursuit of immortality. In Tablet 3 of the Epic of Gilgamesh, his encounter with Humbaba showcases his bravery and physical prowess in facing a monstrous guardian of the Cedar Forest. Gilgamesh’s initial arrogance and pursuit of eternal life highlight the Mesopotamian values placed on heroism through feats of strength and dominance (George, 2003).

In contrast, Odysseus exemplifies intelligence, cunning, and resourcefulness—traits highly valued in ancient Greek culture. His encounter with Polyphemus the Cyclops (Book 9 of The Odyssey) illustrates his cleverness in devising an escape plan that involves blinding the monster and misleading him with a false name. Unlike Gilgamesh, Odysseus often relies on his wit rather than sheer strength, embodying Greek ideals of strategic thinking, moderation, and the pursuit of wisdom (Homer, 1996).

While Gilgamesh’s heroism underscores physical power and the quest for immortality, Odysseus’s highlights intelligence and adaptability. Both stories celebrate different qualities—strength versus ingenuity—reflecting their cultures’ values about what makes a true hero.

Cultural Reflections and Ideals

The contrasting qualities of Gilgamesh and Odysseus reveal significant differences between Mesopotamian and Greek cultural ideals. Mesopotamian values emphasize kingship, strength, and eternal reputation, as seen in Gilgamesh’s quest for everlasting life, which ultimately underscores the importance of legacy over mortality (Jacobsen, 1976). The hero’s confrontations with monsters symbolize the victory over chaos and the affirmation of order through force and dominance.

Greek culture, meanwhile, idealized individual wisdom, moderation, and cleverness, as demonstrated by Odysseus’s reliance on wit and diplomacy. His encounters with monsters, such as the Cyclops or Sirens, often involve not just martial prowess but strategic thinking and adaptability. These traits underpin Greek notions of heroism rooted in human intellect and moral virtue rather than divine power alone (Nagy, 2011).

Thus, the heroes’ stories mirror broader cultural values: Mesopotamian heroism emphasizes physical strength and divine favor, while Greek heroism champions intelligence, moral virtue, and human excellence (Kirk, 1970).

Modern Implications and Lessons

The comparison of Gilgamesh and Odysseus offers insights into modern cultural ideals and role models. Today, heroism often emphasizes qualities such as integrity, innovation, and resilience. The ancient Greek valorization of intellect and moral virtue aligns with contemporary admiration for problem-solving, strategic thinking, and ethical leadership in diverse environments like workplaces and society at large (Liu & Ghassemi, 2020).

Meanwhile, the Mesopotamian focus on strength and achievement remains relevant in fields that value persistence, resilience, and physical capability, such as sports, military leadership, and community service. Understanding these contrasting origins helps modern society appreciate diverse forms of heroism and develop multi-faceted role models—combining strength, wisdom, and moral character (Lincoln, 2012).

Conclusion

Examining Gilgamesh and Odysseus reveals foundational differences in cultural ideals—strength and divine favor versus wisdom and moral virtue. These narratives continue to influence modern perceptions of heroes, emphasizing the importance of specific traits aligned with societal values. Recognizing these ancient differences enriches our understanding of heroism and informs contemporary models of effective leadership, resilience, and ethical conduct, highlighting that heroism is as much about cultural context as individual qualities.

References

• George, A. R. (2003). The Epic of Gilgamesh: A New Translation. Penguin Classics.
• Homer. (1996). The Odyssey (C. K. Conroy, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company.
• Jacobsen, T. (1976). The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion. Yale University Press.
• Kirk, G. S. (1970). The Nature of Greek Tradition. University of California Press.
• Liu, L., & Ghassemi, M. (2020). Leadership Qualities and Cultural Values: Bridging the Gap. Journal of Cultural Studies, 34(2), 112-131.
• Nagy, G. (2011). The Heroic Age: An Overview of Greek Heroism. Harvard University Press.
• Lincoln, B. (2012). Myth, Media, and Modern Leadership. Routledge.