Abstract This paper discusses what an epic is and uses several examples to illustrate the point. The author of this paper takes the readers on an exploratory journey through the "Iliad" and discusses several of its characteristics to underscore its qualifications as an epic.
Abstract "This paper reviews the book "Epic Encounters" by Melani McAlister. According to this review, "Epic Encounters" is a book that examines the specific relationship that exists between America and the Middle East since World War II, what has shaped that relationship, and how that relationship is both reflected in and shaped by media reports that certainly affect the way Americans see the world and their place in it.
From the Paper "The events of September 11, 2001 brought the reality of international terrorism home to Americans and also created the need to know more about the subject, about the forces contributing to terrorism, and about ways to control terrorist groups and individuals. One aspect of this desire to know has been a need to understand the way of thinking common in the Middle East, but Americans first need to know more about the Middle East than they have in the past. Americans tend to see the world reflected through their own experience and to give little attention to details about other countries."
Describes the Western Washington University Periodic Search Agent for Protein Database Information or WWU Search Agent, a research project developed under the guidance of one of Western Washington University's biosciences professor.
Abstract This paper describes a recent initiative of the The National Center for Biotechnology Information, which is a national resource for molecular biology information. The project is known as Western Washington University Periodic Search Agent for Protein Database Information or WWU Search Agent. This web-based search engine browses and does periodic searches of the protein databases of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool or BLAST. The writer describes the benefits of this project, which include its interfacing with the NCBI BLAST and the continuous updates and enhancements done by NCBI on the system.
Includes Charts:
Chart - Content of Protein Sequence Databases
Fig. 1 - General Subsequence and Database Input Area
Figure 2 - Options for Advanced BLASTing Input Area
Figure 3 - Format input area for report outputs
From the Paper "The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) finds regions of local similarity between sequences. The program compares nucleotide or protein sequences to sequence databases and calculates the statistical significance of matches. BLAST can be used to infer functional and evolutionary relationships between sequences as well as help identify members of gene families. The summary of the Content of Protein Sequence Databases with the sequences they contain are as follows: (NCBI, 2006)"
Abstract The following paper delineates the host of similarities which bind together the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Genesis. The paper argues that Adam and Enkidu are very much interchangeable, and that the same can be said also about Utnapishtim and Noah. Given that the Sumerian tale is so old extending back as it does almost to a prehistoric period, the paper suggests that the earliest tales of the Bible either drew from it or are rife with a startling number of coincidences.
From the Paper "A Brief Comparison of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Judeo-Christian Bible Few ancient tales are more engrossing than The Epic of Gilgamesh. The following paper will first contextualize the Epic by examining the ancient society which gave birth to it and proceed from there to review the ancient Sumerian tale and assess how its depiction of certain events compares - or does not compare - to the biblical depiction of those same occurrences. Ultimately, what should emerge is a recognition that Judeo-Christian literature owes part of its richness and splendor to pre-Christian civilizations. Time does not permit a lengthy exploration of the Sumerian culture which produced the enduring tale of Gilgamesh. Nonetheless, the Epic reflects an early culture that was and is, in many ways, quite similar to ancient Judeo-Christian culture."
Abstract This paper discusses the history and constitutional development of the "Automobile Exception" to the search warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment which originated in 1924. The automobile exception allows police officers to search and seize a vehicle without a search warrant. It cites several relevant cases such as New York vs.Belton, California vs. Camey and their legal precedents.
From the Paper "A woman and a man are sitting on a park bench chatting. A police officer approaches and notices a syringe in the man's shirt pocket. The officer asks the man why he has a syringe, and the man replies that he uses it to take drugs. The officer seizes a handbag that is close to the woman; he proceeds to search the handbag and removes the contents including her wallet and identification. Under the current law, this search would violate the Fourth Amendment since the officer did not first obtain a search warrant. However, in Wyoming v. Houghton', the United States Supreme Court held that a similar search was not a violation of the Fourth Amendment. The only difference was that the man and woman were in an automobile, and the search fell under an exception to the Fourth Amendment, commonly called the automobile exception", which was created in 1924 in the case Carroll vs. The United States. The automobile exception is an exception to the Fourth Amendment which eliminates the need for a search warrant when there is probable cause to believe that an automobile contains contraband or instruments/evidence of criminal activity. This paper will examine the history of the automobile exception and important cases that have involved and shaped this constitutional exception."
Abstract This paper discusses the enterprise track and genomics track, two tracks that are the subject for analysis. The paper explains the purpose of the enterprise track is to study enterprise search, which means satisfying a user who is searching the data of an organization to complete some task. The purpose of the genomics track is to study retrieval tasks in a specific domain, specifically where the domain of interest is genomics data which is broadly construed to include not just gene sequences but also supporting documentation such as research papers, lab reports, etc.
Abstract The paper examines the drama "Six Character in Search of an Author", written by Luigi Pirandello, which is play within a play. The paper shows Pirandello's theme throughout the play that life is a script with people fixed to patterns that are evident in everyday workings of life and through the history of previous lives.
From the Paper "The drama Six Characters in Search of an Author, written by Luigi Pirandello, is a play within a play, full of reality philosophizing, which shows how people are real in the same way that characters are. These two themes are highly reflective on what it means to be a play, by comparing it to life, and what it means to be a person, by comparing what it means to be a character. The drama is an assemblage of a play, put together on the spot, when six characters enter another play's rehearsal in search of an author who will manifest their roles by writing a script to their drama. This is their one bent purpose in life, to live on the stage, in their world in which they are real. Though they seem alive, as they are in their search, they are not fulfilling the purpose of filling their roles. They need to tell their stories, they desire reaffirmation of existence and for this they need their fixed reality, the stage. Their script is this means of existence and acting the script out is a means of living or being real. People in the same way are doomed to be scripted; identical to characters, they live only within their fixed play, that which acts itself out from birth to death."
Abstract This paper attempts to define an epic and an epic hero by looking at typical characteristics exhibited by epic heroes and by examining classic epics and the main characters from these stories. The paper looks at the characters of Odysseus, Sir Gawain, and Beowulf to determine what characteristics these heroes have in common, thus defining an epic hero.
From the Paper "Epic is probably one of the most fascinating forms of ancient narratives and its contribution to the growth and evolution of literature cannot be overestimated. To seek a clear definition of an epic would be a futile attempt since there appears to be lesser consensus on its definition than we have on tax cuts today. Philosopher, writers and oral masters since the times of Aristotle to Seamus Heaney have argued about various critical features of an epic, and while all agree it's a long narrative eulogizing the heroic deeds of the protagonists, there appears to be no agreement among on a clear definition that could highlight other essential features of epic narrative. Roughly epic is a term used by historians for ?a number of works belonging to the earlier Middle Ages, and to the medieval origins of modern literature. "Epic" is a term freely applied to the old school of Germanic narrative poetry, which in different dialects is represented by the poems of Hildebrand, of Beowulf, of Sigurd and Brynhild.? (Ker: 3)"
Abstract This paper deals with the importance of the study of the "Gilgamesh" epic as a means to study the textual history and development of ancient narratives, because it's the only Mesopotamian epic that is this well attested from so many different periods. A short summary of the epic is given, followed by a discussion of its development from a collection of Sumerian tales into the standard Akkadian version that we know today.
Outline
Summary of the Gilgamesh Epic The "Moral of the Story"
The Development of the Gilgamesh Epic in the Different Versions
The Authorship and Composition of the Gilgamesh Epic
From the Paper "But there is more to the story than this. In this Old Babylonian version Enkidu and Gilgamesh are both portrayed quite differently from their Sumerian counterparts and are already closer to how we encounter them in the standard version. Enkidu starts out as a wild, untamed creature, who is tamed and introduced into civilization where he submits himself to the authority of the king (Gilgamesh). They eventually become best friends and when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh submits entirely to grief. He experiences a "dark night of the soul" whereby he withdraws from society and lives on the steppe like a wild animal. He eventually comes to terms with the mortality (and humanity) of humans and re-enters the city as a transformed being."
Abstract This paper discusses how "The Epic of Gilgamesh" has all the qualities of a classic epic, gods, heroes and huge battle scenes. It examines how the ancient Babylonian text, preserved on stone tablets, is representative of poetry in a number of ways and how some key elements stand out. It looks at how the friendship that develops between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is remarkable and evaluates how the role of women in the epic is also characteristic of epic poetry in general. They are strong figures, despite having supporting roles in the narrative. It looks at how Gilgamesh, through all his struggles and quests, emerges as a legendary hero. Of noble, semi-divine birth, Gilgamesh's status remains unquestioned throughout the tale. His heroism is another hallmark of the epic genre and another reason why the poem endures for almost three millennia.
From the Paper "Gilgamesh's friendship with Enkidu is a central theme of the Epic, and such close male bonding is a universal characteristic of this type of literature. The two men begin as rivals of equal strength: ?So the mighty brothers fought at first / pushing and shoving each other / for hours and hours enraged. / Then a calm force soothed / then well-matched spirits / to bring a peace and rest their strife,? (Tablet 2, Column 4, lines 76-81). Proving their manliness and honor to one another, they solidified their friendship, which is described as ?sacred,? (Tablet 3, Column 1, lines 1-3). Furthermore, the two men both become bored with mundane city life, and decide to embark on a journey together. Fueled by each other's bravery and courage, the two men endure many hardships along the way such as the demon Humbaba. Enkidu's death devastates Gilgamesh, who overtly displays his human emotions by becoming severely depressed: "Then Gilgamesh wept some more / for his dead friend"Despite respite / he could not sleep or dream that night. / Instead he wandered through the woods,? (Tablet 9, Column 1, lines 1-2; 19-21)."
Abstract The writer notes that the "Epic of Gilgamesh" is one of the most remarkable writings of the Babylonian ancient literature. Its main theme is the condition of man on earth as a mortal being. The writer discusses that the epic is centered on the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the two legendary heroes and friends who pass together through initiating experiences. One of their most important heroic feats is the battle with Humbaba, the demon that guards the Cedar Forest, whom Gilgamesh eventually defeats. The writer notes that the episode of the battle with the demon is very significant for both the ancient and the modern interpretations of warfare. The writer maintains that, first of all, the battle of Gilgamesh against the demon is easily inscribed in the tradition of the battle of good against evil, common to most heroic epics, legends and myths. At the same time, though, modern interpretations of the passage arise when the wider context of the battle is analyzed. The writer concludes that the "Epic of Gilgamesh" has very interesting modern ramifications of meaning, mixed with the traditional epic storyline.
From the Paper "The 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is a very profound text, which must have had great importance for its contemporary audience. First of all, the traditional battle of good against evil is emphasized throughout the epic. Also, the wars fought by the two friends together emphasize the classic theme of the quest for immortality. The warfare was not at the time done with the aid of any great technology. The braveness of heroes, the help of a beneficial god, such as Shamash in the text, the perfect communion between the two heroes, such were generally the main reasons why the battle was won in a classic epic. Thus, in the text, the episode of the battle against Humbaba describes the way in which the god Shamash raised all the winds to help Gilgamesh win the battle against the demon .. "
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the epic poem "The Epic of Gilgamesh" from the ancient Mesopotamia. The author concedes that although there probably have been different versions and translations of this epic poem, the intended audience for this epic was probably the Sumerians. The paper suggests that whoever wrote the story down knew that history was being made and wanted to preserve it for centuries to come. The paper summarizes the poem and discusses how its historical context allows the reader to understand Gilgamesh and those who lived in his time. The author also calls the poem a historical document as it is the oldest surviving text of which the world is aware.
From the Paper "Gilgamesh is a character that allows us to see into the life of a king. It is no doubt that he and those he lead had a great respect for knowledge. After all, Gilgamesh was searching for the secret to immortality and he was revered for this feat. While he might not have been admired as a king, he was looked upon as sort of a hero for undertaking this journey. The journey that Gilgamesh embarks upon illustrates what man will do to learn the secret of an eternal life. However, in his godly pursuits, Gilgamesh was not above human experiences and emotions because he could not deny who he was."
Abstract This paper discusses whether Vergil's 'Aeneid' is a re writing of Homer's 'Iliad'. The writer maintains that while Vergil's epic continues the story begun by Homer centuries earlier, with the refugee from Homer's fallen Troy arriving in Italy to found the city of Rome. The writer shows that in many respects Vergil's narrative is not so much a continuation as a mirroring of Homer's epic. The writer concludes that just as Homer's epic featured two heroes Achilles and Hector in conflict, so too does Vergil's epic feature two similar warriors Aeneas and Turnus in conflict.
From the Paper "Is Vergil's 'Aeneid' a re-writing of Homer's Iliad? While Vergil's epic continues the story begun by Homer centuries before, with the refugee from Homer's fallen Troy arriving in Italy to found the city of Rome, in many respects Vergil's narrative is not so much a continuation as a mirroring of Homer's epic. Just as the Homer's epic featured two heroes - Achilles and Hector - in conflict, so too does Vergil's epic feature two similar warriors - Aeneas and Turnus - in conflict."
