Comparing Gilgamesh And Genesis

2. A popular theme that has been prominent so far in both stories is the reality of perfect permanence vs. a short but meaningful life. In Genesis 3, we know that before Adam and Eve ate the fruit they had everlasting life in paradise but were ignorant of many things. After they ate the fruit the Biblical God said, “… the man has become like us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” (Genesis 3:22). We see that their previous situation becomes completely turned around, now they have gained knowledge of good and evil, but must live knowing that their life must end. We grasp from this story that we cannot have both everlasting life and meaning, therefore, Eve

This shows us that though he can live forever, his life does not have much meaning or purpose, he spends his time laying around on a secluded island with his wife doing nothing for eternity. By the end of the story, Gilgamesh comes to the same conclusion as Eve, by choosing the short life of meaning and purpose as opposed to a never-ending life of nothing. Gilgamesh chose a life of meaning through giving up his quest for eternal life, settling down and allowing himself to be at peace with the fact that what he accomplished in one lifetime was

So far in the stories we have reviewed, women have played roles of intelligence, power, and control. In the genesis story, “The First Sin and its Punishment” Eve shows her power and independence through her decision to listen to the serpent, disobeying the Biblical God and risking “death”, a term that was unknown to her. To our knowledge she made this decision without consulting Adam, she simply took it and ate is, then “she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:6).” This shows that Eve had a great deal of influence over Adam. Adam knew what the Biblical God had warned against, and what the possible consequences were, but he had nothing to say to the serpent and did not resist when Eve handed him the forbidden fruit. This shows that Adam trusted Eve’s judgment, or perhaps he was too afraid to make the decision on his own and left it up to her; either way, this shows bravery, power, and perhaps knowledge on Eve’s part because she realized there was a chance to discover something new, and she took it, bringing us to the exciting and meaningful life we have