Comparative Culture Analysis
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Arts & Humanities
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Dec 21, 2024
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1Comparative Culture AnalysisMargareth JeanCapella UniversityHUM-FPX1150: Cultural Understanding in the Global World10/9/2024
2Chosen Artifacts and The CulturesA man or woman who is respected for doing something exceptionally daring or accomplishing something remarkable is called a hero. Characteristics and attributes of heroes vary among cultures. Mythological figures from Anglo-Saxon/German culture such as Beowulf and Sumerian legend Gilgamesh will be discussed in this essay. The epic poem Gilgamesh was composed in Mesopotamian civilization approximately 4,000 years ago. The narrative embodies the ancient Mesopotamian principles of equitable governance, intermarriage, and reverence towards the deities (Yalepress, 2022). A story of Anglo-Saxon morals and values is told in the epic poem Beowulf. Though the exact date of Beowulf's composition is uncertain, it is thought tohave been composed in the seventh or tenth century. It portrays the Anglo-Saxon ideals of bravery, loyalty, and honor while telling the tale of a hero named Beowulf who kills three monsters.Artifacts Portray or Express Cultural ViewsAlthough they have different personalities, the epic heroes in Beowulf and Gilgamesh's stories are both epic poems. The beliefs, leadership philosophies, and adventures of Gilgamesh and Beowulf can be compared and contrasted. There is nobody else in their society has the same level of leadership courage or physical prowess as Beowulf and Gilgamesh in the epic poetry. The heroes triumph over the monstrous villains in both tales. Grendel, her mother, and a dragon that stalks his neighborhood are the three monsters that Beowulf vanquishes (Beowulf 2023). Gilgamesh vanquished Humbaba, the monster that guarded the Cedar Forest, in the Epic of Gilgamesh (Epic of Gilgamesh, 2023). Both heroes in the two tales are religious people who depend on prayer to help them win battles. This is an additional commonality between the two tales.
3The two heroes have different gods and beliefs, despite the fact that they both pray to higher powers. The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays Gilgamesh as polytheistic, signifying the simultaneous worship of multiple gods. He prays to his more powerful gods, such as Shamash and Anu, when he needs defense (Epic of Gilgamesh, 2023). The two heroes' dissimilar personalities are another distinction between them. Beowulf behaves toward his people in the poem as a pure-hearted god. His entire community requires him to serve them perpetually for hisbrave and selfless deeds. However, Gilgamesh acts valiantly out of self-interest. For the reward of fame, wealth, and women, Gilgamesh battles the monster.Heroes from Mesopotamia are distinguished by their strength and ability to protect their people while fending off monsters. Mesopotamian values are exemplified in a remarkable way by the Epic of Gilgamesh. In Anglo-Saxon culture, heroic traits like bravery, loyalty, strength, and upholding one's tribe's honor were considered essential. Through the entire epic poem, Beowulf demonstrates these traits.Cultures Reflected and Insights GainedSmall tribes that made up the Anglo-Saxon culture enjoyed getting together to share myths and stories about the exploits of legendary warriors. This is the origin of the Beowulf tale. Cultural values, including strength, sacrifice, loyalty, honor, and duty to the tribe, were held by the society for its leaders. Furthermore, once they discovered Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons became a monotheistic people. The protagonist of Beowulf is depicted as a monotheistic person who only prays to one deity.The Epic of Gilgamesh reflects values common to Mesopotamian culture, including polytheistic worship of the gods and the belief that no one is any greater than them. Gilgamesh would offer prayers to the god during each battle. As stated by culture and society in ancient
4Mesopotamia, the Mesopotamian people were deeply religious and frequently offered sacrifices, worshipped, and prayed to the gods. Education and learning were also important to the Mesopotamians. Because Gilgamesh is initially viewed as a foolish and self-centered ruler, we can observe this throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh becomes a wise and knowledgeable warrior and leader at the end of the epic, having transformed himself into such a person. The insights I've gained from studying these two cultures have improved my comprehension of the diverse values that exist across the globe.Understanding The Cultural Similarities and Differences and Benefit to One's Personal,Academic, And Professional Life.My culture and Mesopotamian culture share a common appreciation for education and learning. I think that a day is wasted if it is not spent learning. It is very important to me to continue learning and developing. My culture and Mesopotamian culture differ in that we both practice polytheism. Like the Anglo-Saxon culture, my beliefs are monotheistic. My understanding of other cultures and their differing beliefs has grown as a result of comparing these two to my own. It does not make someone less worthy or wrong just because they hold different values and beliefs from you in any way possibleConclusionIn summary, there are a wide variety of cultures in the world with varying degrees of similarity and dissimilarity in their values and beliefs. I've learned more about the potential differences in values people may hold from mine by studying the cultures depicted in the Epic ofGilgamesh and Beowulf.
5ReferencesAnglo-Saxon Culture. (n.d). Western Civilization.https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-herkimer-westerncivilization/chapter/the-anglo-saxons/Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. (2023, December 4). Epic of Gilgamesh. Encyclopædia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epic-of-GilgameshEncyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, December 19). Beowulf. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/BeowulfYalepress. (2022, April 13). The epic of Gilgamesh. Yale University Press.https://yalebooks.yale.edu/2020/04/30/the-epic-of-gilgamesh/