Enkidu And Odysseus Comparison

610 Words3 Pages

Heroes are not as capable as they appear. Most would believe that a hero could do anything, but most of them only accomplish their goals with the help of someone else. Harry Potter got through roughly seven years of torment because of the caring Ron Weasley and the brilliant Hermione Granger. Steve Rogers may have ended up bruised and battered in an alleyway in Brooklyn without the help of Bucky Barnes. Heroes are only able to accomplish their greatest feats because people always had their backs. This can be seen in The Epic of Gilgamesh between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and the theme can also be found in The Odyssey by looking at the relationship between Odysseus and Athena. These epic poems tell stories of overconfident males who believe they can take on anything, but eventually, they realize that without the help of their friends, they wouldn’t have …show more content…

The bond each share shows the overwhelming idea that if soulmates were real, the bond between these pairs would be the epitome of the world. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu was made specifically to combat the arrogant, reckless spirit of Gilgamesh. Anu heard the voice of the people when they wanted someone to curb Gilgamesh’s insubordination, and he commanded Aruru to “create a partner for Gilgamesh, mighty in strength, Let them contend with each other … create what Anu commanded, To his stormy heart, let that one be equal” (1.84-85,88-89). The gods made Enkidu be the equal of Gilgamesh, and their friendship was destined to help each other come to a middle ground in their personalities (Enkidu to be less wild, and Gilgamesh to be less egotistic). This companionship was made by the hands of gods, and when Enkidu faces death, Gilgamesh cries out in immense pain: “I mourn my friend Enkidu … You who stood by me when we climbed the mountain … Come back to me!” (8.38,46,50). It shows that the union left an impressionable effect on the