Character-defined Destiny Essays -- Literature Heroic Epics Essays

Character-defined DestinyThe Greek poet home run established the heroic epic literary genre more than two-and-a-half millennia agone with the composition of two voluminous works of art, the Odyssey and the Iliad. From its inception, the heroic epic reap human fate as a type of whimsical recreation for the gods. In fact, the word fate was adopted from the name of the Greek gods in charge of spinning the thread of human life and then cut of meat it when a persons destiny had been fulfilled. Hence, a persons fate in the Homeric epics was largely determined by providence, and a persons individual actions had little bearing on what became of him or her.We see a new understanding of fate begin to sign form in the two primary heroic epics of thirteenth one C German literature. The story of Parzival introduces the role of individual maturation in the fulfilment of ones destiny, notwithstanding its predetermination by God with with(predicate) birthright. The Nibelungenlied, on the oth er hand, suggests that predestination is the result of the inevitability of ones make idiosyncrasies one acts in accordance with ones own character traits and cannot act otherwise. Both understandings of fate, however, afford man a a good deal larger share in the determination of his own destiny than the Homeric epics ever did and, as such, can shed light on the evolving apprehension of the heroic informing each work. The story of Parzival and his quest for the Holy grail was first told by French author Chrestien de Troyes in the 12th light speed naturally, the fate of Parzival would have already been well known to Wolfram von Eschenbachs 13th century audience. Then the focus of the epic is certainly not Parzivals destiny, but his development and maturation throughout th... ... The reason for this is that Gawan (and the codification of chivalry he represents) regards his relationship with God in feudal terms, expecting settle with in return for service. Even though Parzival on ce fell from boon and the favor of the round t able-bodied, he was able to gain redemption through God with the help Trevrizent. By confessing his sins before God and atoning for his trespasses, Parzival was thus able to attain a higher level of honor.Redemption is the pivotal role of the heroic puzzle that the ships company of the Nibelungenlied lacks. In Parzival there is no star of the imminent doom that pervades the Nibelungenlied, because of the societys steadfast belief in Gods eternal mercy. And, as long as the society of the Nibelungenlied remains bereft of the potential for redemption, it will remain entangled in its own type of Atreus curse and doomed for self-annihilation.