Campbell's Pattern of the Hero

The epic of Gilgamesh is a wonderful piece of literature portraying the main character, Gilgamesh, as a strong powerful leader who is two-thirds God and stronger than any other King alive. He was truly a hero showing skill, intelligence, valor, reverence, and a respect for death. He goes fearlessly into battle to rid the world of harmful beasts and travels to distant lands to find answers that will help the people of his city. He looks to God for his strength during battle and shows respect for everyone he meets along his journeys. Gilgamesh's friendship with Enkidu shows his loyalty to people who show respect for his city and for himself. The following illustrations will prove that Gilgamesh was truly a hero (Eva et al, 10- 736).

Throughout the entire epic Gilgamesh shows outrageous skill as a warrior and leader. In Tablet I it is said that, “Gilgamesh is strong to perfection.” Also, “He is an awesome beast with unmatched strength and a chant that fosters armies. (Pg. 3)” He leads his tribe into battle fearlessly and defeats everyone they come into battle with, it is said that, “Gilgamesh's tribe is invincible, and aroused by small insults. (Pg. 3)” This shows his awesome leadership ability, in that his tribe is eager to fight knowing that their King will not let them down. He shows his great strength by fighting the mighty beast Humbaba (Eva et al, 10- 736).

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotle's definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story (Eva et al, 10- 736). There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. Oedipus is in love with his idealized self, but neither the grandiose nor the depressive Narcissus can really love himself (p. 67). All of the above characteristics make Oedipus a tragic hero according to Aristotle's ideas about tragedy, and a narcissist. Using Oedipus as an ideal model, Aristotle says that a tragic hero must be an important or influential man who makes an error in judgment, and who must then suffer the ...