Leiden University Student Repository

Hu-a-ng, Denzell Marlon (2022)

When Heroes Lose: A Comparative Analysis of the Purpose of Heroism in Beowulf and the Epic of Gilgamesh

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)

It has often been observed that ancient heroes suffer both acclaim and tragedy. This is true of both Beowulf and Gilgamesh, two heroes who gain much in their journeys, but ultimately lose far more despite their epic feats; in the case of Beowulf, the kingdom he built and in the case Gilgamesh, his greatest friend, Enkidu. These tragedies are seen as inevitabilities and thus put to question the purpose of heroics (see Greenfield 1962 and Wolf 1969). Both have often had their heroism examined individually, but rarely together, especially in light of newer translations and editions (see Stark 1966). In my thesis, I will analyze the relevant themes of both heroic tales. I will compare and contrast the themes of gain and loss and discern the reason each hero is considered heroic within the context of their own tale and where these forms of heroism meet and diverge.

Beowulf

Gilgamesh

Heroism

Legacy

Author

Hu-a-ng, Denzell Marlon

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Philology

Supervisors

Dr. Thijs Porck

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en