Comparing Loyalty In 'Epic Of Gilgamesh And 1984'

Loyalty, identity and love are all essential parts of The Epic of Gilgamesh and 1984. The importance of these characteristics is revealed through the actions of the work’s principal character or characters. Gilgamesh’s loyalty to Enkidu and the Winston’s loyalty to the Party and Big Brother emphasize loyalty in both texts. Winston’s love for Julia and Gilgamesh’s love for Enkidu demonstrate love in both texts. Gilgamesh’s development of identity through his voyage for immortality and Winston’s development of his identity as he gradually resists the Party’s control highlight the importance of identity in The Epic of Gilgamesh and 1984. This essay will argue that Gilgamesh and Winston develop the values of loyalty, identity and love and argue

Initially, Gilgamesh is not loyal to anyone. He is described an all-powerful leader who doesn’t take care of people. This is evidenced by descriptions of him such as one that says he “leaves no virgin to her lover” (Anonymous and Sandars 62) and “No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all” (Anonymous and Sandars 62). However, after Enkidu enters his life Gilgamesh loyalty changes. The reader can see Gilgamesh’s outpouring of emotions for Enkidu while Enkidu is dying proving his loyalty to his friend. An example of his emotions can be seen as “Gilgamesh had peeled off his clothes, he listened to his words and wept quicktears, Gilgamesh listened and his tears flowed.” (Anonymous and Sandars). Gilgamesh initially is not particularly loyal to anyone. However, after Gilgamesh encounters Enkidu and the two go on adventures together, Gilgamesh loyalty changes to being with Enkidu, which can be seen by Gilgamesh outpouring of emotions upon Enkidu’s death. Gilgamesh’s shift in loyalty proves that humans can shift their loyalty based on a set circumstances in this case meeting with a life long friend. In 1984, Winston’s loyalty at the beginning of the story is with Julia. This can be seen when Julia and Winston pledge that they will never betray one another as seen

This proves that experiences change people’s identity. As previously stated, Gilgamesh began as a pompous powerful leader who did whatever he wanted and didn’t care for his people. However, after Gilgamesh goes on his journey for immortality, he changes. Gilgamesh becomes proud of his city as evidenced by him saying “Urshanabi, climb up on to the wall of Uruk, inspect its foundation terrace, and examine well the brickwork;, see if it is not of burnt bricks; and did not the seven wise men lay these foundations? One third of the whole is city, one third is garden, and one third is field, with the precinct of the goddess Ishtar. These parts and the precinct are all Uruk.'” (Anonymous and Sandars 117). Gilgamesh’s proudness of this city shows his identity his changed. He transformed from being neglecting to caring about his city. In 1984, Winston’s identity changes as well. At the beginning of the story, he accepts the Party’s control. This can be seen by Winston mindlessly doing of his job as in this quote “Winston's job was to rectify the original figures by making them agree with the later ones.” (Orwell 35). However, as the story progresses Winston’s identity changes due to him starting to question the Party leadership and control. In the end, Winston is accused of going against the party. This can be seen