Self-Fulfillment In The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad

INTRO+THESIS:
Self-fulfillment, or achieving personal satisfaction and happiness, is often considered a crucial aspect of human life. However, the extent to which this has been a universal belief throughout history is debatable. While the ancient texts of Gilgamesh and the Iliad prioritized the fulfillment of selfishness and individual desire, the later ideas of Daoism and Stoicism upheld the belief that the lack of self-fulfillment would lead to a healthy society. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad prioritize individual desires, whereas the Daoist and Stoic beliefs emphasize the importance of self-restraint and task for the greater good. Ultimately, this paper argues that self-fulfillment varied greatly across different cultures and periods,

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the protagonist, Gilgamesh, is portrayed as a selfish and tyrannical king who seeks to fulfill his desires. The text emphasizes the importance of personal ambition and ego by illustrating Gilgamesh's pursuit of immortality as a heroic quest, even though it is self-serving. "For example, when Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu kill the monster Humbaba, they do so not out of any sense of justice or moral obligation but simply because they want to add to their reputation" (Epic of Gilgamesh, pp. 23-24). Similarly, when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh establishes his fear of being

Confucianism teaches the importance of association within both ideals. Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, explains the importance of society over individual desires. In the Analects, Confucius asserts well-being and community are the priority. Confucius teaches harmony and stability of society depend on personal virtues, dutiful purity, and respect for authority. Ultimately Confucius sees a society where individuals fulfill their roles and responsibilities. The text emphasizes rather than serving personal desire, self-fulfillment as acts of service lead to a harmonious