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Gilgamesh, The Illiad, The Aeneid. Classical literature has withstood the
tests of time. Through the Anglo-Saxon era in history, long ...
Submitted by irobinson on November 8, 2006
Category: English
Words: 1685 | Pages: 7
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Classical literature has withstood the tests of time. Through the Anglo-Saxon era in history, long narrative poems, known as epics become all the rage. These poems were written in elevated styles that presented the adventures of a hero with superhuman qualities who embodied the national ideals. These ideals and adventures were presented through elements such as dreams, courage allowing the hero to overcome great trials, and a major battle scene. These elements, known as epic conventions, created epics that to this day continue to be read and taught throughout all the world.
Authors like Homer (Circa 850 B.C.) and Virgil (Circa 70-19 B.C.) capitalized on the growing popularity of epics through masterpieces like Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and The Aeneid. Epics like these were too good to allow them to disappear into the annals of time. Knowing this, Theodor H. Gaster, Robert Fitzgerald, and C. Day Lewis translated the epics into pros for future enjoyment. Gilgamesh, a mighty warrior is confronted by a more superior force, Enkidu, and is forced to transform from a tyrant into a caring and loving individual while seeking the plant of everlasting life. Through The Iliad Hector, displaying honor and pride, enters a battle he knows he shall surely lose to death. In “The Aeneid” the Trojan empire is attacked and overthrown by the Greeks formally ending the long and tedious Trojan War. Through these three epics, one learns the values of love, compassion, pity, pride, honor, and sacrifice which to this day represent the verities of life.
Using epics, Homer and Virgil translated the true meaning of the verity of love to everyday life. Before leaving for battle, Queen Ninsun, the mother of Gilgamesh, conversing with the sun-god pleads, “. . . dear Sun-God, he has taken it into his head to travel for days on long and perilous paths only to do battle with the monster Humbaba! I beg you to watch over him day and night, and to bring him back to me safe and...
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