Ancient Heroes: Gilgamesh and Beowulf The Epic of Gilgamesh is the account of the king of the city of Uruk who ruled about 2000 BC. Beowulf is written around 800 to 1000 AD and is the tale of a legendary hero who later becomes king. In comparing and contrasting The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf, the qualities of heroism in each story give insights into the values, aspirations and morals of the cultures of the early Mesopotamians and the early Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf and Gilgamesh are similar in many notable ways. Both of these heroes had high social status, Beowulf as the nephew of King Hygelac of the Geats and Gilgamesh as king of the city of Uruk. They showed great strength and physical ability beyond normal men. Each also displayed courage and loyalty to their companions. In their youth, both Gilgamesh and Beowulf were careless and obsessed with leaving a legacy. Both heroes believed the way to immortality was through great deeds of conquest. Gilgamesh and Beowulf faced land and sea, conquering many deadly foes. Gilgamesh conquered the dread giant Humbaba, who represented the power of nature, with prophetic help from his friend Enkidu. When he spurns the Goddess Ishtar, she …show more content…
Early in Gilgamesh’s reign as a cruel tyrant, the gods create Enkidu to rival his power. Enkidu is tamed and taught of civilization by a temple harlot, and goes on to fight Gilgamesh. They gain respect for one another, becoming fast friends. With this friendship Gilgamesh reforms his errors and they conquer the fierce giant Humbaba who is violently defensive of his cedar forest. The two were an inseparable pair up until Enkidu’s death; after Gilgamesh rouses the ire of the Goddess Ishtar. Beowulf, near the end of his life, chooses Wiglaf, a less skilled warrior with unwavering faithfulness, to help complete a cunning plan to slay a dragon. Ultimately, Beowulf passes his legacy down to Wiglaf before he