Civilization transforms through the changes of the leaders, powerful, and the people that refuse to give up or settle. This paper will include an outlook on these different people, their transformations, and the outcome of their choices. It is also important to note that all of these stories have some sort of god intervention. The people that will be discussed are, Gilgamesh and Enkidu from The Epic of Gilgamesh, Medea and Jason from Euripides’ Medea, Rama and Sita from Ramayana, and Roland from the Song of Roland.
Gilgamesh is the powerful ruler of Uruk, ruling in 2700 B.C.E., leaving this story with some time to develop and change with the passing of history. The people of Uruk cry to the gods for a break from Gilgamesh’s rage and misuse of power and they believe that “the onslaught of his weapons has no equal,” (Gilgamesh 39). Enkidu is sent to be his equal. The first transformation that takes place in this story, happens to Enkidu, bringing him from having animalistic behavior to learning how to be a “civilized” man and enjoy all of the same things that other men enjoy. The second transformation occurs when Enkidu is chosen to die by the gods and Gilgamesh becomes crazy and relentless when it comes to finding a way to become immortal. This journey that Gilgamesh takes transforms him into a companionate leader, leaving him to be one of the most memorable and oldest rulers in history. In a world primarily dominated by patriarchy, the story of a strong and brave woman comes about in the 400s of B.C.E. by Euripides. Her name is Medea, and she did everything she could to save Jason from her father, before marrying him and getting banished from her homeland. She is considered to be a “barbarian” by the Greeks though they know her to be civilized and intelligent, resulting in them fearing her and what she is capable of. Medea’s biggest transformation takes place after she finds out that her husband, Jason, has decided to divorce her and marry King Creon’s daughter, to supposedly support Medea and his children. Jason believed that his actions would change things for the better and were a morally good choice. The sorrow that Medea faces is harsh, the fear that people have for her grows. Her choice to kill the daughter of Creon as well as Creon and then her own children to spite Jason, is a turning point. She transforms …show more content…
The Ramayana which is from around 550 B.C.E., tells the story of how Rama is banished for fourteen years instead of taking the throne like he was originally supposed to. Rama’s wife Sita demands to go with him and they set off for the forest. Rama, Sita, and Laksmana discover that they can “survive under hostile conditions” giving them the confidence to get through tough times together. They find happiness there until Sita is captured for the purpose of revenge. Her purity and loyalty to her husband are questioned by the people after Rama comes back to take the throne. Sita is willing to prove she is pure and walks across hot stones. This reveals that she is indeed telling the truth and that she passes the requirements to ascend to the throne with Rama. This transformation of the characters highlights what the moral values are in
Gilgamesh is the powerful ruler of Uruk, ruling in 2700 B.C.E., leaving this story with some time to develop and change with the passing of history. The people of Uruk cry to the gods for a break from Gilgamesh’s rage and misuse of power and they believe that “the onslaught of his weapons has no equal,” (Gilgamesh 39). Enkidu is sent to be his equal. The first transformation that takes place in this story, happens to Enkidu, bringing him from having animalistic behavior to learning how to be a “civilized” man and enjoy all of the same things that other men enjoy. The second transformation occurs when Enkidu is chosen to die by the gods and Gilgamesh becomes crazy and relentless when it comes to finding a way to become immortal. This journey that Gilgamesh takes transforms him into a companionate leader, leaving him to be one of the most memorable and oldest rulers in history. In a world primarily dominated by patriarchy, the story of a strong and brave woman comes about in the 400s of B.C.E. by Euripides. Her name is Medea, and she did everything she could to save Jason from her father, before marrying him and getting banished from her homeland. She is considered to be a “barbarian” by the Greeks though they know her to be civilized and intelligent, resulting in them fearing her and what she is capable of. Medea’s biggest transformation takes place after she finds out that her husband, Jason, has decided to divorce her and marry King Creon’s daughter, to supposedly support Medea and his children. Jason believed that his actions would change things for the better and were a morally good choice. The sorrow that Medea faces is harsh, the fear that people have for her grows. Her choice to kill the daughter of Creon as well as Creon and then her own children to spite Jason, is a turning point. She transforms …show more content…
The Ramayana which is from around 550 B.C.E., tells the story of how Rama is banished for fourteen years instead of taking the throne like he was originally supposed to. Rama’s wife Sita demands to go with him and they set off for the forest. Rama, Sita, and Laksmana discover that they can “survive under hostile conditions” giving them the confidence to get through tough times together. They find happiness there until Sita is captured for the purpose of revenge. Her purity and loyalty to her husband are questioned by the people after Rama comes back to take the throne. Sita is willing to prove she is pure and walks across hot stones. This reveals that she is indeed telling the truth and that she passes the requirements to ascend to the throne with Rama. This transformation of the characters highlights what the moral values are in