MLA Essay

Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova
Dr. Donna Marie Gould, SBS
English 2010 World Literature I
24 November 2014

HISTORY LEGENDS
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our show “History Legends”. As you know tonight is a special night, because we celebrate the 21st anniversary of the show. For such a special night, we need very special guests too, so please, stand up and welcome the greatest heroes of Greek mythology, who inspired millions of people throughout the world and time - Gilgamesh from The Epic of Gilgamesh and Achilles from Iliad. Tonight, they are going to reveal secrets never heard before and change your perception of life forever. It is amazing how the stories you will hear, happened so far back in the past are applicable for our life today.
Host: Hello Gilgamesh and Achilles. You look amazing tonight. How do you feel?
Gilgamesh: Great!
Achilles: A little old, but good!
Host: How do you like the couch? Is it comfortable enough for you?
Gilgamesh: Well, my bed in Uruk was much better, but I can survive on that coach for an hour.
Achilles: It’s better than sitting on the floor.
Host: You are funny! I will ask to be changed next time you come.
Ok. Let’s start with the serious part now. Gilgamesh, Achilles, you know that you are the most famous heroes of all time, and all the people around the world who are watching you now have read your stories in the books “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and “Iliad”. Everybody knows what happened in your lives and the descriptions of your journeys. How does it feel to be still known by everybody after more than 2,000 years and be still the greatest heroes ever?
Gilgamesh: To be honest, I never expected that my story will live for such a long time, and I really appreciate it. When I see all people’s faces who are watching me now and admire me even more than my people in Uruk, the feeling is just amazing. It cannot be described with words.
Achilles: I knew that I was going to be remembered forever, because that was my destiny, but I never anticipated that the people were going to love me that much. Before I came to your show, thousands of people wanted to take a picture with me and to see me. I felt like I was some pop star.
Host: Gilgamesh, how could you describe yourself before you went on your first journey?
Gilgamesh: I was really different than the person I am now in a bad way. “When the gods created [me] they gave [me] a perfect body. Shamash the glorious sun endowed [me] with beauty, Adad the god of the storm endowed [me] with courage, the great gods made [my] beauty perfect, surpassing all others, terrifying like a great wild bull. Two thirds they made [me] god and one third man”(61). Unfortunately these amazing qualities the gods gave me, I didn’t use the right way. I was the king of Uruk, but at that time of my life, I didn’t really understand the meaning of the word king. King usually refers to as being a shepherd to the people, but instead of doing that I was sleeping with people’s brides and didn’t think about anyone, but myself. I was really arrogant, and I thought that I was a better human being than everybody else on the planet. I was showing my arrogance in every way possible, which put a big wall between me and my people, instead of having a kinship as the real king should have with them (Nortwick 32). Thanks to my journeys though, I changed radically.
Host: What about you Achilles?
Achilles: I was something similar to Gilgamesh. With the difference that I was a much greater warrior and with no doubt I could defeat Gilgamesh. I am partly god, partly human. When I was a little child my mom Thetis dipped me in the River Styx and that made me invulnerable. Having such a great power, made me arrogant and I was not listening to anybody, but myself. Most of the warriors at that time fought for their country and king, but I didn’t care about these things. My pride was very powerful and all of my actions were in order to protect it. I remember, Agamemnon hurt my pride very deeply when he stole Briseis from me. I felt really bad and all I wanted was revenge. That is why, I asked my mother to get Zeus and help the Trojans win the battle against the Greeks. I knew that after that battle, Agamemnon would realize how much he needs me and would beg me to come back. I wanted to humiliate him, the same way he humiliated me. Of course, after the Greeks lost, Agamemnon wanted me back and in order to get me back in the war, he tried to buy me. My pride is much more worth than his stupid gifts. I didn’t come back to the war. Before my journeys I knew that I have two choices: either to go to war, die young but be remembered forever; or stay at home, have family and children, live long but never be remembered. Well, everybody knows what I chose. My journey helped me realize a lot of things in life that have much more meaning than being remembered forever or being the greatest warrior. Life is about finding the love of your life and creating a family. Yes, I was remembered as the greatest hero, but I never felt truly happy in my life.
Host: I can notice that you didn’t like yourself before your transformation. Could you please provide some examples of events and persons who changed your life and explain how did they change your life?
Gilgamesh: The main person who changed my life is Enkidu. I am so thankful to the gods who created him. Enkidu was the second part of me and helped me grow as a person, become more mature and have a deeper kinship with people. I remember, the first time I saw Enkidu, we had a fight. He was more powerful than most of the people I fought with, and he had a courage I have never seen before. Not many people dare to fight me. I was still stronger than him, but because of his courage, I felt deep respect for him. Since that moment, he was the closest friend I ever had and this friendship changed my life completely. If I didn’t meet Enkidu, most probably, I would never go to the wilderness and have my two journeys. When I met my second self, my desire for adventure started to rise up. At that moment of my life, I wanted to do something memorable that would raise my glory and pride. I knew that I was the strongest man in the world and nobody could defeat me, but I had to show that extraordinary strength by killing the biggest monster in the wilderness – Humbaba. When I first saw Humbaba, I was a little scared, but at the same confident that I will defeat him. What I really didn’t expect was him begging me for mercy. His face looked so scared and I started to feel compassionate about him. These feelings were so alienated from me, and I think that was the first moment in my life I was ready to give mercy to my rival. Enkidu though is more experienced with the rules of the wilderness and told me to kill Humbaba. Enkidu is really close to me and I felt like I should listen to what he says, and that’s why I killed Humbaba. At that moment, instead of feeling as a hero, I was disappointed and I knew that what I did was wrong. But from the other side, this mistake was important for my transformation and made me think about some things I never thought of before. I realized that pride and fame are not as important as I thought of and don’t bring any happiness. You know, sometimes the mistakes we make are a good thing, because by making them, that’s the only way, we are going to learn and grow. After that journey, my dearest friend Enkidu died. That was the toughest moment in my life. It hurt so deeply and I felt like part of my soul disappeared. For me, there was nothing left in life, except to look for immortality.
My second journey into the darkness, was much harder for me than the first one, because I was alone and I was feeling deeply depressed. The darkness was “outward representation” of the insight of my soul (Nortwick 33). This journey though was even more important than first one. It helped me understand really profound truths about life, which were crucial for my transformation. During that part of my life, I was able to explore my innermost self, but also explore the boundaries that make up my spiritual world. I knew that the only human being that could help me find immortality was Utnapishtim and I was so determined to find him. On my way, my beauty began to disappear; I was not as powerful, and my mind began to change. Here, I started to realize that there are more important things in life than fame and power. On my way to the wilderness I met Siduri. The things she said to me were so meaningful. I remember, she said:” Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man.” (IV.102). At that time I didn’t realize what she was saying. I just wanted to find immortality and that was the only thing I was thinking of. After my very long way, I finally met Utnapishtim. He gave me two chances to be immortal, that didn’t work. Firstly, he gave me a sleeping test that I didn’t pass, because I am a human and cannot live without sleeping. The passing of this test was impossible. My second chance to get immortality was to find the flower of everlasting life. I found it, but a serpent took it away from me. Well, I didn’t get what I wanted, but actually got something better. I found out that I can’t escape from death, but that’s ok, because if we are mortal we appreciate life much more than if we weren’t immortal. Gods live forever, but they don’t appreciate life, because they know they are never going to die. While humans know that they will die at a certain point of their lives, and that is why they have to enjoy every single moment of their lives. At this point, I realized what Siduri wanted to tell me. We have to enjoy our lives now, instead of being so focused for the future. Thanks to my journeys and the people I encountered with, my personality changed significantly and I became the shepherd of my people. The one they waited for so long.
Host: Wow, your story is just amazing. Now, I have a surprise for you. Ladies and gentlemen, Gilgamesh, Achilles, please welcome the person who in Gilgamesh’s words is the one who changed his life – Enkidu.
Gilgamesh: O my god, I can’t believe my eyes. Is that really happening or I am dreaming? (Gilgamesh and Enkidu hugging each other and crying for 10 minutes) Thank you, Ralitsa for that surprise. That is the best surprise ever happened to me. I am really shocked now. I don’t know what to say.
Enkidu: Gilgamesh, I am so happy to see you again. It’s been such a long time, since we last met, but you haven’t changed a lot. You are still the same hero I know from the past. I missed you so much my dear friend.
Gilgamesh: O my dear friend Enkidu. I can’t describe with words what I feel now. I missed you so much.
Host: It’s so nice to see the smiles on your faces. Enkidu, how do you feel?
Enkidu: I am the happiest person in the world right now. To see my dear friend who I loved and haven’t seen in a long time is amazing.
Host: Do you think that after my show you will be as good friends with Gilgamesh as before?
Enkidu: Oh yeah. Now after your show, I think that our bond will grow even more and we will appreciate our friendship more than ever. You know, when you lose something very valuable, you start to appreciate it far more than when you have it. That is what is going to happen with us.
Host: That’s great. How can you describe Gilgamesh from your prospective?
Enkidu: Gilgamesh is an amazing person. From the first moment I saw him, I just felt the strong relationship with him. He was not just the undefeatable hero, everybody knows, but also he was a really sensitive man. What people maybe don’t know about him is that he is really compassionate and kind for other people. He was always watching my back, protecting me from the enemies. When I had some hard moments, he was always there for me. Do you know how rare that friendship can be found?
Host: I can notice that you and Gilgamesh were really close. There is something that the whole world would like to know about you. Did you have a sexual relationship with Gilgamesh?
Enkidu: I refuse to answer that question.
Host: Ok. It’s your choice. Thank you, Enkidu for coming, and you can wait your friend behind the scenes.
Enkidu: Thank you for the invitation. Be fast with your show, because I want to see Gilgamesh.
Host: Don’t worry you will see him in a little bit.
Achilles: Hey! Don’t tell me that you have Patroclus hiding behind the scenes.
Host: I am sorry, but we couldn’t find him. Achilles, can you describe your story the way Gilgamesh did?
Achilles: Well, the Trojan War really helped me understand some meaningful things in life. Usually when you refer to war, you imagine death, fear and destruction, but for me, the war had a far more profound meaning. You know, when a person faces the death and goes through a really tough part of his life, he actually finds himself. That’s exactly what happened with me.
Because of war I lost my closest person to my heart, my cousin Patroclus. “My dear comrade’s dead – Patroclus – the man I loved beyond all other comrades, loved as my own life – Hector’s killed him.” (XVIII. 91-96). His death was the worst moment in my life. I had really mixed emotions such as guilt, rage, loneliness and thirst for revenge. At this time I had so much anger against Hector like never before. Nothing else mattered for me except killing him. Now I see that my battle with him means a lot to readers, and everybody regards me as the hero who killed Hector, but at that time I didn’t feel good at all. I thought that after I kill Hector, I will be relieved, but actually, it was even worse. I was even more raged than before. I remember dragging Hector’s dead body day and night with my chariot. Everybody on the streets was yelling Achilles, Achilles, but as the days were passing I was feeling worse and worse. Until one night Priam, came into my lodge. When I saw him I was shocked. My meeting with him changed me completely. This incredible guy helped me finally find peace in my soul and realize the real values in life. “The majestic king of Troy slipped past the rest and kneeling down beside [me], clasped [my] knees and kissed [my] hands, those terrible, man-killing hands that had slaughtered Priam’s many sons in battle” (XXIV, 559-562). Then he started talking about my father Peleus, making a connection with him. This suggestion of fathers crying over their sons changed my perspective significantly (Nortwick 80). I finally understood what Priam is going through. At that time I imagined my father weeping over my body when I am dead. I would never want him to see what Priam saw to his son. I felt so compassionate about him. No matter that he was my enemy I respected him deeply. Not many people have the courage to do what he did. I made a decision to let Priam take Hector’s body and I promised that we are not going to battle for twelve days, in order for Trojans to make an appropriate burial. After I made this good deed, I felt so relieved and so good. At that moment I realized that the revenge is never going to make you happier, but more miserable indeed. What can make us happy is seeing the smile of the people’s faces, like the smile I saw on Priam’s face when he took his son. I am so thankful to the gods that I had the chance to meet Priam and change my life in a matter of a few hours.
Host: Gilgamesh, Achilles, your responses were amazing. I see that you have come from a long way and you survived from a lot of sufferings in your lives. Now, can you think of any insight you can offer us in the 21st century about life?
Gilgamesh: What I can tell to the people, who are watching me now is: Appreciate every single moment of your life. Remember that life is a gift from gods and we shouldn’t waste it. Show love to your family and friends and appreciate the little things in life, because they make us happy. Live for today and don’t think so much about tomorrow, because tomorrow you might be dead, you never know.
Host: These were some strong words. What about you Achilles? What can you advice people?
Achilles: People, don’t ever think that fame and fortune is the most important thing in life, because it is not. I am the most famous hero, but during my life I wasn’t happy. If I had to choose now, I would choose to have wife and children and not being remembered, rather than being remembered, but unhappy. Please, understand that the only thing a human needs is love. So find your love and make many children; this is the true purpose of your life. Don’t ever make my mistake.
Host: Thank you Gilgamesh and Achilles for your time and your honesty. I am sure your stories have influenced so many people’s lives around the world. It was really enjoyable for me to have that interview with you, but unfortunately time is up and History Legends has come to an end.

Works Cited

Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Viking Penguin, 1990. Print.
The Epic of Gilgamesh: An English Version with an Introduction, Trans N.K Sandars. London: Penguin Group, 1972. Print.
Nortwick, Thomas Van. Somewhere I Have Never Travelled The Second Self and the Hero’s Journey in Ancient Epic. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. Print

Cited: Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Viking Penguin, 1990. Print. The Epic of Gilgamesh: An English Version with an Introduction, Trans N.K Sandars. London: Penguin Group, 1972. Print. Nortwick, Thomas Van. Somewhere I Have Never Travelled The Second Self and the Hero’s Journey in Ancient Epic. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. Print