'Shaman as a Hero\r'

'Illustrate thoroughly the essential characteristics of the priest-doctor by referring to events in the mythical narratives about at least two ancient sensationes of this type (e. g. , Gilgamesh, Herakles, and Cu Chulainn). Shaman as a Hero Traditionally, the shaman is a character in a religious position who communicates with the hereafter in some way. By altering forms of consciousness, the shaman is able to encounter and interact with the spirit world. In early myths and tales in literal literature the motif of shaman like characteristics is a trend that is evident. However, in these tales the shaman is intertwined with the stereotypical expansive Hero.This creates characters that are complicated and intriguing. Tales such as The grand of Gilgamesh and The Labors of Herakles display a whizic figure that is not only strong in physique barely in like manner possesses a divine connection with the afterlife and the gods. With these attributes, these wedgees encounter many obst acles that require to a greater extent than dainty brawn to get the better of and venture to dark spectral places alluding to the afterlife/ underworld. A very common usance in these oral myths is a conquest of all beasts or some type of wild constrict that inhibits the shamanistic hero’s culture or people from prospering.In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is faced with many challenges. unrivaled challenge particularly threatens his kingdom. Once Gilgamesh and Enkidu provoke returned from their set locomote, the goddess Ishtar becomes overcome with lust for Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh refuses Ishtar and out of spite, Ishtar asks her father to shoot down the Bull of Heaven to punish him, take seven years of famine with it. With the help of Enkidu, Gilgamesh wrestles and kills the bull. By doing this, Gilgamesh overcomes the beast for the good of his people. Gilgamesh’s morality and voraciousness is questioned but his ability as a leader never falters. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warriors daughter nor the wife of the noble; yet this is the sheepherder of the city, wise, comely, and resolute. ” Nearly the entire tale of Herakles revolves on the hero overcoming some type of impending force, whether that be carrying into action the Hydra or obtaining the Belt of Hippolyte. None of these tasks straight inhibit his people, but they do offer conciliation for his own pain/ guilt that he feels for implementation his own children. The heroes’ epic triumphs are much more than just grand acts of strength and bravery, these triumphs offer the hero a chance to grow in spirituality during their journey.Gilgamesh’s defeat of the Bull of Heaven results in the death of his friend Enkidu at the hands of the gods, which accordingly sends him on a quest to discover himself and overcome his vexation of death by speaking with Utnapishtim. On the other hand, Herakles’ many obstacles offer him the opportun ity to move his mind at rest for his past actions. twain heroes’ journeys result in a feeling of peace, accomplishment, and apprehension. The Heroes in both of these epics also travel to places that seem to be of another world. By eluding to the afterworld/ afterlife these heroes parting another shamanistic characteristic.In The Epic of Gilgamesh the hero travels farthest and wide in search for the answer to thoroughgoing(a) life. Gilgamesh battles two large scorpions that guard an entry into a dark place between two mountains. In this journey he comes across a conceal tavern keeper who warns him of his futile pursuit and sends him away to a ferryman. This is an allusion to the River Styx, which separates the living world from the deathlike. During the passage across the sea, the water is constantly referred to as death, and the environment continues to be ominous and haunting. This particular part of Gilgamesh’s journey directly relates him to the shaman.In his search for the answer to eternal life, Gilgamesh interacts with the dead and ventures to places where no mortal had been before. Similar to Gilgamesh, Harakles also ventures to places of the undead. Herakles mustiness travel to the Underworld to take on the evil guard dog of Hades, Cerberus. This task is the twelfth and lowest labor of Harakles. In this labor, the theme of the dead is very obvious. Herakles interacts with many â€Å"souls” and spirits. In particular, Herakles encounters phantoms empty of blood. This mention of whitened creatures directly is related to the dead and life after death.This interaction displays the shaman characteristics of Herakles. Although Herakles is a brut and distinguished force that is impending to any opposing challenege; Herakles also shows a great moxie of wisdom and understanding of the spirit world. Both of these heroes use their wisdom and shamanistic characteristics to alleviate some type of concern in their life. Heraklesà ¢â‚¬â„¢ actions alleviate his guilt, and Gilgamesh’s journey alleviates his overwhelming fear of death. After reviewing and enjoying these myths, I have come to gather in that Gilgamesh and Herakles are much more than just a traditional hero.Gilgamesh and Herakles are quite complex characters that have inner struggles as well as natural battles/ challenges. The struggles of these heroes’ spirituality give the reader a comprehend of connection to the character and offer something that lavatory be directly related to. This spirituality also can be seen as a sense of flunk; however this weakness eventually leads to an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and drives the heroes to seek out the answers that allow for the hero to become stronger in mind and physicality.\r\n'