In this essay I am going to deal with the two epic texts called: "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and Homer's "Odyssey". For both texts, I will discuss the cultural value of "heroism" In order to make a good analysis of both texts we have to know what "Epic" means. Webster's defines it as "a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated …showed first 75 words of 926 total…

…showed last 75 words of 926 total…see that both societies consider heroism to be an important value. As readers of these two epics, we learn what heroes are expected to be like in each society and we see what other values are related, such as bravery, loyalty wisdom or competence. These virtues are also combined with less desirable characteristics, such as cunning or trickery. While these can be seen as character flaws, they also help the heroes to achieve their goals.