Silvy Elsa Mathew Hum 120 3/1/18 Paper 1 - The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homer’s Iliad The two main oldest epic tales in the world, ‘Epic of the Gilgamesh’ and Homer’s ‘Iliad’ deals with many significant issues that pose a meaning in the life of an individual and communities. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written 1500 years before Homer wrote the Iliad. It tells the story of mighty hero Gilgamesh, the hero king of Uruk, and his adventures. The Iliad is an epic poem written in the mid-8th Century BCE. It describes the main events in the final weeks of the Trojan War and the Greek siege of the city of Troy. The wrath of Achilles, themes of glory and fate are portrayed in the subject matter of the epic. The central message in the epic o f Gilgamesh …show more content…
The main similarity can be drawn between the characters, that is Gilgamesh and Achilles of Homer. Both of them were mighty warriors and were partly human and divine. They both went in search of immortality after the deaths of Enkidu and Patroclus. Also they were both sons of goddesses and men. Since they were partly human, they have mortality. They also have similarities in their personal life. As they do not give importance to family life and any romantic relationships. But they give importance to friendship because Gilgamesh mourns for Enkidu after his death. Similarly Achilles also feel bad for Patroclus death. “Priam huddled at Achilles’ feet aloud for Hector, and Achilles wept for his father, and then again or Patroclus”. The other similar characters in both the works are Patroclus and Enkidu, who were uncivilized and died for the fame of their leaders. The similarities between the themes of both these works like mortality, friendship and religion. The importance of the theme of friendship is seen in the relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh and Patroclus and Achilles. Another similarity is in the main theme of both these works. Both the characters of Gilgamesh and Achilles have the weakness of mortality. Since they are sons of mortal men, they couldn’t accept the reality o0f mortality. So they both went in search of immortality and becoming a complete …show more content…
But still there are certain differences that can be drawn between them. The epic of Gilgamesh depicts the Sumerian culture and on the other hand iliad poem is set in ancient Greek culture. Even though they both grieve for the loss of their best friends, the main contrast is in how they react with this loss. Both Achilles and Gilgamesh were worried about the mortality and did not wanted to die at once in their life. However, later in life Achilles accepts his fat and realized the fact that death is inevitable. Gilgamesh, on the other hand, fears death. Also, Achilles believed that it death is not worthy as dying with glory in a battle, while Gilgamesh always fears death as he thought it will not let him find the glory in battle. Another difference is the way in which they both depict the women in the stories. In Gilgamesh, Shamash, a temple prostitute is introduced and sent to sleep with Enkidu. Later then he was no longer accepted by the wild animals and he joined civilization in the city of Uruk. But Shamash, who is singled out and protected by a god is blessed by Enkidu. “Woman I promise you another destiny.The mouth which curse shall bless you”.Even a prostitute woman is given much praise and position in the story of Gilgamesh. In the Iliad, the common women are rarely mentioned and are not given a positive credit. The only common women mentioned in the book is about the prize
but they didn't pay attention to the human side of them. Until they both lost someone. Hercules lost the girl he loved and was trying to do what is took to keep her safe. Glost his friend basically his brother to him which was enkidu.
I can compare and contrast Gilgamesh and Simba in many ways. How they treat their friends, how their are the same or different. And how their journey goes. Gilgamesh is ⅔ god and ⅓ human and Simba is a lion and he rules of the part amazon. Those were a few ways I can compare and contrast Gilgamesh and Simba.
In conclusion, Gilgamesh and Achilles are considered some of the greatest of warriors. There are many similarities and differences between Achilles and Gilgamesh. As discussed before both Gilgamesh and Achilles had a quest that they desired. The only difference between the two is the certain desire they wanted to obtain.
Throughout history epic tales have been told about heroes attempting to explain various occurrences such as the ones in the Gilgamesh and Beowulf. Gilgamesh and Beowulf compare and contrast in beliefs, their leadership styles, and the journeys they go on. Although both Beowulf and Gilgamesh can be compared to each other, because of their opposing locations and personalities, they are contrasting to each other. Beowulf and Gilgamesh leaderships styles, although very different, do have some similarities. Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh possess great physical strength, and courageousness as leaders of their respective cultures.
Man and God's Relationship The Epic of Gilgamesh and In the Beginning have many similarities. Both incorporate the Hero’s Journey and three archetypes: character, situational, and symbolic. Both are about man's relationship with God(s), including man’s struggle with temptation, and the serpent as a symbol.
In comparison, it’s always observed on how different scholars find the similarity of especially marital settings, characters, and as well as the wanderings of the mythological world. Different events within the life of these characters cover broadly a huge range of epic encounters that are heroic. The character, emotional and psychological development of Gilgamesh can be borrowed especially from the ancient heroic perspectives of mortality and death while comparing with Achilles. Mesopotamian civilization has had several phases in which hero Gilgamesh has been in existence, however having similar attributes. One of the earliest stories of Gilgamesh is developed from Sumerian texts, one of the most influential and well-known poems (Michelakis & Pantelis 2007).
Though Gilgamesh and Odysseus possess great strength and sharp minds, their own flaws of visionless are similar, and this does not help them with their journeys; like the duty of killing supernatural enemies like Humbaba and Polyphemus. These heroes are both men who have been granted certain strengths, Odysseus with physical, while Gilgamesh has been granted mental strength. We see Gilgamesh’s mental strength used to get over his fears of living life without his dear friend. In these two epic tale we see our heroes being lead by the gods to reach their outcome.
In the epic Gilgamesh, the characters traits of both Gilgamesh and Enkidu help to build a lasting friendship through their differences. For example, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, a city of culture, and personifies the highest of human virtues, such as fairness, bravery, and courage. However, Gilgamesh is often unstable. In sharp contrast, Enkidu was raised in the wild and is foreign to civilization. Enkidu is caring and thoughtful and equal to Gilgamesh in strength.
Similarities between the two heroes are abundant. For example, Gilgamesh and Thor are god-like and part god. Gilgamesh is two-thirds god, one-third man and Thor is a Norse god. Being that they are god and/or god-like, their strength is astonishing. Another similarity between them is their bravery.
In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible have a few similar events and historians think that they may refer to the same event. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible share a similar event, the flood, and a similar character, the serpent. Though there are still several distinctions between the two stories. The Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh both contain a serpent as one of the less significant characters.
Enkidu’s friendship makes Gilgamesh calm and helps him to become a better king. Throughout the epic, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kiss and hug each other frequently. After conflicts between the two, they kissed and formed friendship. But Gilgamesh is never seen sleeping with a woman after conflict, and he even rejected Ishtar, the principal goddess of Uruk. “Come, Gilgamesh, be you my bridegroom!
Since Gilgamesh and Enkidu are presented as inhuman. Both of them have attained humanity when Enkidu died. Enkidu feels fearful when he is dying, as well as feeling depressed that he is leaving Gilgamesh (55). Thus, through suffering he becomes more mature and obtains the characteristics of
Everybody likes rooting for a hero. And throughout the evolution of storytelling, from stories written in stone to those in tablets, heroes have always played a huge role in the stories we tell. As literature evolved, and more legends and tales began to appear in different cultures, the idea of a traditional epic hero was established. Stories like "The Epic of Gilgamesh," and "The Odyssey," set the mold for this type of heroes, an influence that can clearly be seen when analyzing literature. In fact, most of these characters, regardless of the time and place they were created in, shared similar characteristics to the two kings.
Iliad, the epic poem is written by a great epic poet Homer. This poem is a classic in real terms and recounts some historic facts about the last ten years of Trojan war and the Greek siege city of Troy. Tracing back its history, Iliad is thought to be written back in 8th century B.C. and it is considered one of the earliest works in western literary tradition. It captures the scene of blood, abductions, murders, wrath of Achilles, revenge, anger and intervention of gods. The scene of warfare and blood are presented in the poem through oral tradition initially.