Catch 22 And Gilgamesh Comparison

The following essay will discuss how Catch 22 and specifically Yossarian's character is based upon The Epic of Gilgamesh. An argument on the similarities and differences will follow to show how post modern writers often went back to classical literature for inspiration.

According to Woodson (2001), Catch 22 is "a comprehensive retelling of the ancient epic of Gilgamesh". There are specifically events, themes and characteristics that are shared between Yossarian and Gilgamesh in the two novels, Catch 22 and The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Selfishness is an unfortunate characteristic which Gilgamesh and Yossarian both shares. Gilgamesh controls his subjects and rapes any woman he wants, no matter who she is. He completes his building projects by using forced labour, and his exhausted subjects suffers under his domination.

Gilgamesh and Yossarian, even though

Reading classic works of literature can give a writer direct access to the creations of the finest minds of previous generations.

The nature and impact of various cultural and religious developments, the responses of societies to complex social and economic challenges, the issues of justice, discrimination and violence were as much part of the classical world as they are of the post modern world. Post modern writers were able to refer to these aspects and use it in their own works. A comparison could be made between their literature and classical works to gain ideas and understand society has evolved.

In contrast, in postmodernist literature, the blending of styles and intertextualities can easily become a safe haven for charlatans and untalented writers. This can be regarded as a lack of originality and reliance on clichés. Intertextuality in postmodern literature can be a reference or parallel to classical work, an extended discussion of a work such as war (Catch 22), or the adoption of a