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Differences of the odyssey and the epic of gilgamesh
Compare and contrasting the epic of gilgamesh and the odyssey
The epic of gilgamesh compared to the odyssey
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It’s a scene engraved into the western world’s collective memory: a pigtailed girl in red slippers, skipping along a yellow brick road with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion. This image, from the book “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film of the same name, represents the epic of the modern age. Whereas in ancient times, we had Gilgamesh or King Arthur as our gallant hero, now we have a little girl from a farm in Kansas. At first glance, this simple story of a young girl lost in a magic land could not compete with the great tales of old. However, this epic shares more than a few similarities with this seemingly childish
Trickster Tales “Fool, I am taking you to pay for the sky-god’s stories.” Anansi the spider said this quote in the trickster tale “How Stories Came to Earth”. Trickster Tales are stories about a trickster who tries to outwit people, gods, or animals into getting something they want. In “How Stories Came to Earth” a spider named Anansi wants the stories to learn and share, but sky-god has a challenge for Anansi. He must capture a python, leopard a hornet and a fairy.
In a struggle for freedom, a parallel between the tale of King Gilgamesh of Uruk from the story, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the legend of William Wallace of Scotland from the movie, Braveheart, begins to emerge. However, reflection and refraction in attitude and ability to attain freedom between the two heroes are notable when taking in the effects of their rivals, the inspiration of women in their lives and close friendships that help bring courage and success in their quests. Although, the two characters diverge from similarity as, Gilgamesh has a deep desire to be liberated from death’s grip while, Wallace aspires to release himself and the people of Scotland from the oppression brought forth by England, nonetheless, it is freedom they seek. The struggle for freedom that our two characters endure results from conflict with opposing personalities.
OVERARCHING THEMES Though The Odyssey and Paradise Lost are penned during completely separate time periods–with a span of roughly nine centuries between the writing of each–the two works still share many similar themes and subject matters. Some are more vital components for the genre in general, necessary for a piece of literature to be considered an epic; others remain less conspicuous, though with just as great an impact on the overall story. Heroism and the Hero’s Journey: One of the most defining elements of an epic work is the presence of the Hero’s Journey, also known as the monomyth. Introduced by Joseph Campbell, the Hero’s Journey describes the typical narrative pattern that accompanies many forms of storytelling, most commonly and most easily seen in classical literature.
When reading The Epic of Gilgamesh we can find different examples of the six criteria for evaluating works of art. Therefore we are able to hone in on a few that really prevail throughout the story that persuades the reader to think critically about what exactly the author wants the reader to understand. Three main themes of the Christian critical tradition in The Epic of Gilgamesh are truth, righteousness, and beauty. When looking at the epic of Gilgamesh and accessing the literature for truth we see that an ultimate truth is death.
As long as a villain exists in a story, there will always be a heroine. So, you might ask, how exactly is a heroine defined by people? A hero according to the English dictionary is someone who possesses a courageous and honorable spirit, but also a person who has attributes, abilities, or unique characteristics that make individuals look up to them. With this in mind, throughout the many epics we have read so far, there have been several heroines such as Gilgamesh, Rama, Sita, Achilles, and Hector, but Gilgamesh and Achilles are the two characters in these epics that are extremely alike and different in so many ways. In particular, Gilgamesh and Achilles were both prideful and full of themselves alike in that matter, but they both were different in affluent power and overwhelming strength, which made them a heroine to fellow humans because of their superhuman abilities, high personal relationships, and great influence over people.
I think your question for part two offers a very interesting perspective that had not occurred to me but is very noteworthy. In many cases, caution or hesitation can be seen as the wise or thoughtful thing to do, especially when the outcomes of a situation are unknown or potentially dangerous. Therefore, I think it is a very strong possibility that Enkidu can be seen as wiser than Gilgamesh because he is not blinded by pride and can see the realities of the
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).
As I began think about similarities both the epic heroes in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey have I also begin to see the many differences too. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are two heroes from two different lands and at two different time periods that were both in search of something, Gilgamesh was searching for life whereas Odysseus was searching for his way home. Gilgamesh, was a real king from early Mesopotamia and Odysseus is also a king but from early Greece. Two men, two different lands so much alike and also so different.
Gilgamesh is an epic hero because, he part divine, interacts with gods and his story has a series of adventures and superhuman victories. Gilgamesh is a king that shows off his power and enviably shows his weak side in most altercations. Most scholars see him as a historical figure, but I myself think he is definitely an epic hero. He oppresses people who call out to the gods, this is not very heroic, but his other actions will show the truth. Gilgamesh IS an epic hero.
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.
I feel that Gilgamesh and Achilles were alike in many ways, but were also very different. Both stories take place at different times and places, of course, the reason I say they are alike and different is how Gilgamesh came back a different man. Gilgamesh, part god and part human, did not have immortality just like Achilles. Even though they had escaped death it caught up with their egos. The people did not find Gilgamesh as a fair king.
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.
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.
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.
