A Comparison of Beowulf and Gilgamesh
There are many differences and critical comparisons that can be drawn
between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Both are historical poems which
shape their respected culture and both have major social, cultural, and
political impacts on the development of western civilization literature and
writing. Before any analysis is made, it is vital that some kind of a
foundation be established so that a further, in-depth exploration of the
complex nature of both narratives can be accomplished.
The epic of Gilgamesh is an important Middle Eastern literary work,
written in cuneiform on 12 clay tablets about 2000 BC. This heroic poem is named
for its hero, Gilgamesh, a tyrannical Babylonian king who ruled the city of Uruk,
known in the Bible as Erech (now Warka, Iraq). According to the myth, the gods
respond to the prayers of the oppressed citizenry of Uruk and send a wild,
brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh to a wrestling match. When the
contest ends with neither as a clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close
friends. They journey together and share many adventures. Accounts of their
heroism and bravery in slaying dangerous beasts spread to many lands.
When the two travelers return to Uruk, Ishtar (guardian deity of the
city) proclaims her love for the heroic Gilgamesh. When he rejects her, she
sends the Bull of Heaven to destroy the city. Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the bull,
and, as punishment for his participation, the gods doom Enkidu to die. After
Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh seeks out the wise man Utnapishtim to learn the secret
of immortality. The sage recounts to Gilgamesh a story of a great flood (the
details of which are so remarkably similar to later biblical accounts of the
flood that scholars have taken great interest in this story). After much
hesitation, Utnapishtim reveals to Gilgamesh that a plant bestowing eternal
youth is in the sea. Gilgamesh dives into the water and finds the plant but
later loses it to a serpent and, disconsolate, returns to Uruk to end his days.
This saga was widely studied and translated in ancient times. Biblical
writers appear to have modeled their account of the friendship of David and
In the poem Beowulf, which Seamus Heaney translates to modern English, the character Beowulf bravely conquers all enemies thrown at him, including sea monsters and other perilous creatures. This allows him to gain fame throughout Geatish and Danish lands. His righteous deeds cause the previous heir, Hygelac, to appoint Beowulf to king before he dies, and Beowulf bravely leads his country until he perishes protecting it. On the other hand, in The Last Kingdom, by Bernard Cornwell, the Danes capture a young English boy by the name of Uhtred, and integrate him into their war driven society. Uhtred learns various battle tactics by general Ubba, whose ruthlessness in battle grants him fame and riches. When Uhtred goes back to the English,
When modern readers think of the term “epic hero”, names such as Superman, Batman, and even real life figures such as LeBron James, AJ McCarron, and countless others instantly come into play. All of them have many similarities; they are all “larger-than-life” heroes who display many epic characteristics such as bravery, might, and supreme confidence. However, each is unique in his/her own way. Diving into the world of ancient literature, and one can find many more great heroes that define the term and provide countless entertaining stories of their journeys and battles throughout the primordial word. Beowulf from the
Gilgamesh and Odysseus are two heroes from two different time periods that were both in search of the meaning of life. The epics that the two characters are featured in Gilgamesh, was developed from early Mesopotamia and the Odyssey in early Greece. Gilgamesh was a very popular and it was very valuable to the historian of Mesopotamian culture because it reveals much about the religious world, such as their attitudes toward the gods, how a hero was defined and regarded, views about death and friendship.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure filled plot and is concerned with timeless human problems such as honour, jealousy, war and hatred. These contain gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are based on legends and myths.
He introduces himself to the Cyclops as ‘Nobody’’; he manages to trick and stab the Polyphemus in the eye because he wants to go and be with his wife and child. Throughout their journeys, the search for the meaning of life is portrayed by the trials and tribulations they both undergo. For instance, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk and is portrayed as one-third man and two-thirds god. Based on this, the epic is a tale relating to the myths and tales that preexisted through many generations with the subject relating his deeds to the hymns sung to the gods. Gilgamesh however oppresses his people after short breaks in the text. In return, the gods create rivalry with Gilgamesh after hearing the people’s pleas. Thus, Enkidu is formed and this challenges Gilgamesh as the tale
In many cases outsourcing has proven to be beneficial for businesses. It can help a business’s management by allowing executives to focus on the core structure of the firm rather than every specific element. Production, manufacturing, or additional servic...
The evolution of Gilgamesh ironically begins as the beginning when because he is “the man to whom all things were known” (Gil. 61) One would think a man who knows everything beeds to learn nothing, but Gilgamesh shows that even a hero can
Often, literature is based on several heroes and their adventures. Most especially, the epic stories symbolize different countries, nations, and cultures. The authors usually shape the characteristics of these stars and profile their unique techniques of writing as well as their imaginative power. Gilgamesh is one of the most known heroes, whose character was developed in the famous “Epic of Gilgamesh” as the strongest of men, a fair judge, a brave warrior, and an ambitious builder who built the magnificent walls of Uruk to protect its people. On the other hand, there are some undesirable characteristics that he possesses such as selfishness, and arrogance mostly brought about by the fact that he is part human and part god. He is characterized
Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, said to him, “Like a wife you’ll love him, caress and embrace him, he will be mighty, and often save you”. Gilgamesh has finally found his match, a friend who will serve as his life long companion. This new seal of friendship will cause a chang... ... middle of paper ... ...
This essay is the comparison between Beowulf and a modern day hero. I consider any American soldier to be my modern day hero. In this essay I will explain in three paragraphs of how my modern day hero is like Beowulf. With in these three paragraphs I will go over how they are both fighting for a good cause, how they are both rewarded for what they do, and how they are both treated with much respect.
They cut down trees, “then Enkidu builds a gigantic door…as a gift to Enlil.” (44) Upon their arrival to Uruk, Ishtar the goddess of sex, love and warfare wanted to wed Gilgamesh. In spite of this, Gilgamesh did not feel the same and did not wish to marry her. Ishtar was so upset with the decision of Gilgamesh that she sent down the “Bull of Heaven” (50) to kill him. The bull ultimately met its’ demise when Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed it.
In many literary works we see significant transitions in the hero's character as the story is developed. This is also true in the Epic of Gilgamesh with its hero, Gilgamesh. In this narrative poem, we get glimpses of who Gilgamesh is and what his purposes and goals are. We see Gilgamesh act in many different ways -- as an overbearing ruler resented by his people, a courageous and strong fighter, a deflated, depressed man, and finally as a man who seems content with what he's accomplished. Through all of these transitions, we see Gilgamesh's attitude toward life change. The goals he has for his own life alter dramatically, and it is in these goals that we see Gilgamesh's transition from being a shallow, ruthless ruler to being an introspective, content man.
Gilgamesh’s fear of death than leads him to go on a quest in search of immortality. Along the way Gilgamesh runs into Enkidu who was created to end Gilgamesh’s reign, but instead Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin to fight and some how a start of a new friendship emerges. “Gilgamesh and Enid have a furious and prolonged wrestling match but emerge from the contest as friends.” (Gilgamesh, 205) Enkidu Accompanies Gilgamesh on his quest in search of immortality but instead ponders off to slay an innocent servant, referred to as Humbaba, although Humbaba begged for his life. Gilgamesh and Enkidu still take his life, angering the gods. Ishter the goddess than falls in love with Gilgamesh but he rudely insults her making her rage with anger. “Ishter ask her father for Amu to make the Bull of Heaven, to destroy Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the Bull of Heaven, and throws the thighbone of the Bull in Ishter’s face, a terrible form of disrespect.” Gilgamesh has no compassion nor does he have sympathy or respect, killing off spiritual servants and disrespecting the gods. The Actions of Gilgamesh and Enkidu Angered the god terribly. Enid was created to stop Gilgamesh but instead made the situation messier than it need to be, therefore the gods punish him with dead. “Ana, Enlil, Es and heavenly Shamash took counsel together, and Anu said to Enlil, ‘Because they have killed the Bull of Heaven, and because
Sandars, N. K., trans. The Epic of Gilgamesh. London: Penguin, 2006. Print. Editorial Team. "The Odyssey Writing
"Epic of Gilgamesh." Academy for Ancient Texts. Ancient Texts Library. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. .