In Gilgamesh, when Gilgamesh finally speaks to Utnapishtim about immortality, Utnapishtim replies, "There is no permanence" (106). This means that everything in the world, may it be ideas, structures, or people, will not last forever. Ideas change, structures break down and rot, and people die.
As civilizations grow and develop, they develop new ideas and new social norms. For example, in ancient cultures, homosexuality was accepted and cherished. In modern society, homosexuality is often seen as "wrong" or "offensive". The concept of homosexuality being acceptable has changed over time. Also, as time goes by, old houses need repairs, technology needs upgrades, old generations die out, and new generations are born. Ultimately, everything changes at some point or another.
When Utnapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, he was specifically speaking of the impermanence of life. Utnapishtim was telling Gilgamesh that every living thing will eventually die and that death needed to happen. In the modern world, this concept often pushes people to live their lives to the fullest, rather than to live unhappy with the knowledge that they are going to die. When one realizes that he has limited time on earth, he often wishes to make the best of it. In Tim McGraw's song, "Live Like You Were Dying", he tells a story about how he had cancer and spent the next portion of his life doing things that he had always meant to do. McGraw sings:
"I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying".
In this song, McGraw shows the importance of enjoying the life that you have. Therefore, McGraw is ultimately sending the message that the meaning of life is to do things that make you happy and not to focus on the things that make you upset. Whether it is listening to music, skydiving, eating food, having sex, or spending time with your family, you should do things that you enjoy and live life to the fullest.
Without happiness, life may not even be worthwhile. This can explain Ishtar's actions when Ishullanu refused her. Ishtar did not want Ishullanu to be happy and therefore "changed [him] to a blind mole deep in the earth, one whose desire is always beyond his reach" (87). Ishtar took away the happiness (and overall the meaningfulness) of Ishullanu's life. At that point, Ishullanu would have been better off dead.
When Utnapishtim speaks to Gilgamesh, he is trying to help him realize that death is natural and that if death did not take place, life would not be as special. Utnapishtim does not have the chance to enjoy life as much as a mortal would because his life can never be taken away. Perhaps if Utnapishtim were mortal, he would be motivated to find more enjoyment in life. Utnapishtim wants Gilgamesh to understand the importance of impermanence, especially the impermanence of life.
Although the impermanence of life makes life special, it also causes a sense of instability for many people. In order to control this instability, people like to make structure and organization in their lives. To do this, many find a secure job, start a family, and live according to a schedule. Order and organization make people feel better and more relaxed. To make structure that continues after one passes away, many people set up scholarships, specified programs, or even restaurants. They feel good because they have made an impact on the world around them by providing others with a structured community. This is why it is common for older generations to work very hard to make the lives of younger generations easier. People like to help each other to live the best lives possible. They can help each other by making organization in a community (which includes anything from government and shops to financial aid systems). This community then serves as the foundation of many people’s lives.
If there was not impermanence, people, like Utnapishtim, would be less inclined to do the things that they wish to do. Impermanence is important because it gives life importance. If one does not work to give his life structure and to attain satisfaction, then his life is missing significance.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Heroes
In Beowulf, The Odyssey, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Lord of the Rings, the protagonist has to go to great lengths in order to reach a goal. In each story, the main character must travel for months (or years) and face many obstacles. He must also (at least at some point) be fearless, courageous, and selfless.
Some may say that these protagonists are heroes because they always pushed on, no matter how difficult the task, to achieve their goals. The truth is that many of these protagonists are not heroes. A true hero is not only fearless and daring, but he is also kind and intelligent. For example: Odysseus, from The Odyssey, traveled for many years in order to get home. When Odysseus returned, he discovered that many suitors were courting his wife, Penelope. Odysseus disguised himself as a suitor in order to win back Penelope's hand in marriage. When Odysseus won, he found it necessary to kill all of the men who had suited her. Odysseus cannot be identified as a hero because he acted recklessly when he murdered his wife's suitors.
In order for someone to be considered a hero, he must have more than masculinity. Our society often forgets that in order for someone to be distinguished as a hero, he must have done more than just complete a testosterone filled adventure. We tend to recognize the protagonist of almost every movie we watch and every book we see as a hero. Hollywood is responsible for the common misconception that strength is the main component of heroes. Filmmakers glorify worriers and ruthless criminals. In movies, each adventure is exciting and dangerous. But, the filmmakers fail to emphasize that many of the "hero's" actions are selfish and unmerciful. Very often, the "heroes" of these movies only have motives to gain land, spread their religion, and steal from innocent people. The glorification of such characters in movies results in our society looking up to strong, powerful figures rather than quiet and sensitive figures. Traditionally, women are seen as quieter and more sensitive than men. Unfortunately, this is why heroes in literature and movies are primarily male. Due to sexism, very few women are seen on the cover of Blockbuster new releases.
As skewed as our society's views on heroes may be, we have needed heroic figures since the beginning of civilization. Heroes generally can accomplish things that ordinary humans cannot. A hero can often withstand ridiculous amounts of stress on both their bodies and their minds. Heroes give every day "normal" people hope that seemingly impossible tasks can be completed. This is important because it keeps people pushing on and trying their hardest at all times. Perhaps if our society did not have heroic figures, we would have been less productive throughout history. We have needed heroes to look up to and to push us to be the best that we can be.
Although, the existence of heroes in literature and movies are helpful, they can also be harmful to our society. Bertold Brecht, a German playwright and poet, once said, "Unhappy the land that needs heroes". This statement means that although heroic figures can push us to be better people, they can also give us false expectations of others and ourselves. For example, if a story is written about a hero who saved his family from their burning house, a man in real life who was not able to do the same task may live his life with regret. It is not fair to have the same expectations for everyone, especially to expect the same from a hero in a storybook and a man in real life. It may be frustrating to people in our society that they are not able to do the things that a hero is able to do. In essence, the idea of heroes may lead to unhealthy self-concepts. Also, since heroes in current movies and literature are often seen as strong and powerful, people who do not have the same characteristics (and are quiet and introverted) may not feel good about themselves. Those who are unlike heroes, may feel as if they will never be able to have a relationship with a certain type of person or be a successful leader. Overall, the common concept of a hero may put “normal” people down.
Some may say that these protagonists are heroes because they always pushed on, no matter how difficult the task, to achieve their goals. The truth is that many of these protagonists are not heroes. A true hero is not only fearless and daring, but he is also kind and intelligent. For example: Odysseus, from The Odyssey, traveled for many years in order to get home. When Odysseus returned, he discovered that many suitors were courting his wife, Penelope. Odysseus disguised himself as a suitor in order to win back Penelope's hand in marriage. When Odysseus won, he found it necessary to kill all of the men who had suited her. Odysseus cannot be identified as a hero because he acted recklessly when he murdered his wife's suitors.
In order for someone to be considered a hero, he must have more than masculinity. Our society often forgets that in order for someone to be distinguished as a hero, he must have done more than just complete a testosterone filled adventure. We tend to recognize the protagonist of almost every movie we watch and every book we see as a hero. Hollywood is responsible for the common misconception that strength is the main component of heroes. Filmmakers glorify worriers and ruthless criminals. In movies, each adventure is exciting and dangerous. But, the filmmakers fail to emphasize that many of the "hero's" actions are selfish and unmerciful. Very often, the "heroes" of these movies only have motives to gain land, spread their religion, and steal from innocent people. The glorification of such characters in movies results in our society looking up to strong, powerful figures rather than quiet and sensitive figures. Traditionally, women are seen as quieter and more sensitive than men. Unfortunately, this is why heroes in literature and movies are primarily male. Due to sexism, very few women are seen on the cover of Blockbuster new releases.
As skewed as our society's views on heroes may be, we have needed heroic figures since the beginning of civilization. Heroes generally can accomplish things that ordinary humans cannot. A hero can often withstand ridiculous amounts of stress on both their bodies and their minds. Heroes give every day "normal" people hope that seemingly impossible tasks can be completed. This is important because it keeps people pushing on and trying their hardest at all times. Perhaps if our society did not have heroic figures, we would have been less productive throughout history. We have needed heroes to look up to and to push us to be the best that we can be.
Although, the existence of heroes in literature and movies are helpful, they can also be harmful to our society. Bertold Brecht, a German playwright and poet, once said, "Unhappy the land that needs heroes". This statement means that although heroic figures can push us to be better people, they can also give us false expectations of others and ourselves. For example, if a story is written about a hero who saved his family from their burning house, a man in real life who was not able to do the same task may live his life with regret. It is not fair to have the same expectations for everyone, especially to expect the same from a hero in a storybook and a man in real life. It may be frustrating to people in our society that they are not able to do the things that a hero is able to do. In essence, the idea of heroes may lead to unhealthy self-concepts. Also, since heroes in current movies and literature are often seen as strong and powerful, people who do not have the same characteristics (and are quiet and introverted) may not feel good about themselves. Those who are unlike heroes, may feel as if they will never be able to have a relationship with a certain type of person or be a successful leader. Overall, the common concept of a hero may put “normal” people down.
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