Epic and Tragic Heroes in World Literature: Gilgamesh, Ramayana, Oedipus, and Antigone

Who is the semi-divine king in Gilgamesh?

Gilgamesh

What is the main theme of Gilgamesh?

The Inevitability of Death

Who is Gilgamesh's close friend?

Enkidu

Who does Gilgamesh seek for answers about immortality?

Utnapishtim

What makes Gilgamesh an epic?

It has an epic hero, divine beings, and cultural significance.

Who is the epic hero in The Ramayana?

Rama

What is the main theme of The Ramayana?

Good vs. Evil

What makes The Ramayana an epic?

It has an epic hero, a long journey, and supernatural beings.

Who are the main characters in Oedipus?

Oedipus, Creon, Jocasta, Tiresias

What is a major theme in Oedipus?

The cost of ignoring the truth

What makes Oedipus a tragedy?

Tragic flaws lead to the downfall of characters.

What are Oedipus' fatal flaws?

Excessive pride, bad temper, arrogance.

Who is the main character in Antigone?

Antigone

What is a major theme in Antigone?

State Law vs. Moral Law

What makes Antigone a tragedy?

It has an unhappy ending and teaches moral lessons.

What are Antigone's fatal flaws?

Stubborn loyalty, brashness, refusal to compromise.

What is the plot of An Uninterrupted View of the Sky?

A young boy grows up under an oppressive dictatorship.

What are the major themes in An Uninterrupted View of the Sky?

Power and oppression, survival and resilience.

What are the traits of an epic hero?

Noble birth, great strength, goes on a journey.

What are the traits of a tragic hero?

High social status, a fatal flaw, downfall.

What is hubris?

Excessive pride.

What does dharma mean?

Moral duty.

What is fate?

Unavoidable destiny.

What is the significance of pride in these stories?

Pride often leads to downfall.

What does the search for immortality represent in Gilgamesh?

The human condition and desire for meaning.

What is the role of gods in these literary works?

They influence human fate.

What does the conflict in Antigone represent?

The struggle between authority and personal conscience.

What is the significance of the theme of loyalty in The Ramayana?

It highlights the importance of duty and honor.

What lesson does Oedipus teach about truth?

The need for truth can lead to destruction.

What does the journey in Gilgamesh symbolize?

The search for purpose in life.

What is the impact of storytelling in The Ramayana?

It teaches moral lessons and reflects cultural values.

What does the character of Creon represent in Antigone?

Authority and the consequences of pride.

What is the significance of the theme of resilience in An Uninterrupted View of the Sky?

It showcases the human spirit against oppression.

Gilgamesh

King of Uruk; a semi-divine hero who seeks immortality after the death of his friend Endiku and learns about the inevitability of death.

Endiku

Wild man created by the gods challenges Gilgamesh, becomes his close friend and companion, and dies tragically, prompting Gilgamesh's quest.

Utnapishtim

Survivor of a great flood; possesses immortality; tells Gilgamesh the secret of eternal life

Siduri

Tavern keeper/wine maker; advises Gilgamesh to enjoy life and accept mortality

Ishtar

Goddess of love and war; proposes marriage to Gilgamesh, gets rejected, and sends the Bull of Heaven to attack Uruk

Rama

Prince of Ayodhya; ideal hero who represents virtue, honor and duty; exiled and rescues his wife Sita from Ravana

Sita

Rama's devoted wife, kidnapped by Ravana, symbolized purity, loyalty, and endurance

Lakshmana

Rama's loyal brother; accompanies him into exile and protects him during battles

Ravana

Demon king of Lanka; kidnaps Sita, opposes Rama, symbolizes evil and unchecked desire

Hanuman

Devotee of Rama; monkey god who helps locate Sita and fights in the battle against Ravana

Dasaratha

King of Ayodhya; Rama's father, his promise to Kaikeyi leads to Rama's exile

Oedipus

King of Thebes; intelligent but prideful; tries to escape a prophecy, only to fulfill it by killing his father and marrying his mother

Jocasta

Oedipus' mother wife, queen of Thebes, marries Oedipus unknowingly and later dies after discovering the truth

Laius

Father of Oedipus

Creon

Brother of Jocasta; advisor to Oedipus, later becomes ruler of Thebes

Tiresias

The blind prophet reveals the truth about Oedipus fate warns him but is ignored

Antigone

Daughter of Oedipus; defies Creons law to bury her brother Polynices; symbolized moral duty, bravery, and stubborness

Haemon

Creon's son and Antigone's fiance, tries to reason with his father; emotional impulsiveness leads to death

Ismene

Antigone's sister; cautious and fearful; reluctant to break the law but supports Antigone in spirit

The Nurse

Caretaker figure; supports family members, provides advice, and reflects the domestic perspective