In much of The Epic of Gilgamesh, the readers notice the parallelism to the Bible. Though using different characters and gods’ names, the vast amount of the novel, The Epic of Gilgamesh, often correlates to the stories and lessons in the Bible. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible have similarities in the lessons and teachings on temptation and everlasting life, and the story of the flood.
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is tempted by the harlot, whereas in the Bible, Adam is tempted by the forbidden fruit from Eve. Enkidu (created from the goddess Aruru) was seen as a rough, strong man with some “godlike being” inside of him. Enkidu was also seen unleashing the traps and letting animals go free from the trapper. The trapper was displeased by this action, but because he was afraid of Enkidu, he went to his father for advice as to
…show more content…
what he could do to stop this event from reoccurring. The trapper takes his father advice and goes into Uruk and ask Gilgamesh for a harlot to temp Enkidu. Upon arriving back from his journey, the trapper instructed the woman to lay naked for Enkidu to see and Enkidu came to lay with her for “six days and seven nights” (Sandars 65). After this act, he is no longer seen as a friend to the creatures or even like the other creatures. Enkidu was tempted by the lust of a woman, and he did what most men would have in that he took the opportunity for pleasure. But, by taking this opportunity of pleasure it weakened him because he slept with a woman which is seen as a sin in most cases. And in return, his punishment is that he is only seen as a man now. After this act of drinking the wine and eating the bread, Enkidu gains more knowledge and wisdom. In the Bible, God created Adam, but Adam longed for a companion so He created Eve, “and they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (New King James Version, Genesis 2:25).” While in the Garden of Eden, God instructed Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruit of the trees except for one. But Eve ate of fruit from the forbidden tree, seeing that is was, “pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Eve even gave the fruit to Adam knowing that they were not supposed to eat of the fruit, Adam ate it anyways and “then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). So in both stories a god/God created the two men, Enkidu and Adam. As notated in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu “was innocent of mankind” (Sandars 63). But just as Enkidu laid with the harlot, and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit given to him by Eve, both knew the ways of the world and “know of good and evil” (Genesis 3:22). And with knowing the good and evil ways in the world, they both brought knowledge in themselves. God knew that Adam would eat of the forbidden fruit even before he told both, Adam and Eve, just as how the trapper knew that bringing a harlot would temp Enkidu before the action was done. The journey to everlasting life is a challenge from the view of the story in The Epic of Gilgamesh, but can also be rewarding from the Bible perspective. After Gilgamesh’s companion, Enkidu, dies he is left feeling lonely and weeping over his friend. Because Gilgamesh did not want to be like his friend, dead, and even stating that he was “afraid of death” (Sanders 97). From this point, is where he went to set out on his journey to find Utnapishtim, who survived the flood, and in return was given everlasting life. Utnapishtim tests Gilgamesh to restrain from sleep for six days and seven nights to see if he is “worthy” of everlasting life. In the end, Gilgamesh fails this test. Though he did receive everlasting life, Utnapishtim did tell him about a plant that grows underwater that, “a man may win back all his former strength” (Sanders 116). Yes, he successfully picked the plant, but unfortunately a serpent “snatched it away” (Sanders 117). So Gilgamesh returned to the city of Uruk, not a man who has everlasting life and not even a man who is youthful again. But, he did learn from his journey that death will happen to him, even if he doesn’t want to admit it or not, and he also learns that with aging comes wisdom that he must apply to his life as a leader. Johns 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Just as Gilgamesh learns that material things and fame doesn’t constitutes for a “good” well spent life, but what he does while alive to become a better person is what constitutes for eternal life. The journey Gilgamesh sets out for everlasting life, is really a “journey” of just living life. Because even in our life we have ups and downs, just like Gilgamesh had on his journey. But, to become a better person and be in a “good standing” to the gods/God, we must lead a unselfish life and be the person God wants us to be, which is not one that shows off to others, or a rude person. We, as readers and believers, of the Word should lead a selfless life and life without sin. And when we lead a selfless life we are then becoming more like Christ, who already paid his debts at the cross for our sins. The teachings in the Bible tells us to, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).We should not be bother about what we have on this earth because when we die we are expected to have and be of the spiritual sense with the Lord. Gilgamesh should not worry about dying, or even gaining fame because when he dies, he should expect much more from the gods for leading such a “good” life. Lastly, there are many similarities of the story of the great flood in the novel, The Epic of Gilgamesh and in the Bible. In Gilgamesh, because the people were multiplying and there was much of a great noise down below, Enlil heard this noise and told the other gods that he is not able to sleep because of the noise and that “mankind is intolerable” (Sandars 108). So the gods agreed to “exterminate mankind” (Sandars 108), But one of the gods named, Ea, told Utnapishtim of this great flood and for him to build a boat to save his own life. And there Utnapishtim built a boat of the dimensions told by Ea. Utnapishtim saved his own family and relatives along with some animals, and “for six days and six nights the winds blew, torrent and tempest and flood overwhelmed the world, tempest and flood raged together like warning hosts” (Sandars 111). After the seventh day, Utnapishtim loosed a dove, then a swallow, then a raven, and then “threw everything to the four winds” (Sandars 111) before making a sacrifice. When Enlil learned that a mortal was still alive, he was outraged, but Ea told him that Utnapishtim learned of the flood in a dream, and therefore made Utnapishtim and his wife immortal. The story in the Bible is much of the same account, because the Lord was sorry that he created life on earth and saw “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Genesis 6:5), He felt the need to “destroy man” (Genesis 6:7). God told Noah to make and gave him specific instructions as to how the ark should be built and told him to bring his son, son’s wife, his wife, and two of every kind of animals onto the ark with him. And for “forty days and forty nights” it rained and “the waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth” (Genesis 7:17). God proceeded to destroy all living life that was on the earth, the only ones who was safe was those on the ark. After the forty days, Noah sent out a raven and three doves, and then sent a sacrifice unto the Lord, and in return God gave Noah and his sons the ability to mate and make new life unto the earth. In both accounts of the great flood, both Utnapishtim and Noah were given instructions from a god/God, and in return built a boat/ark to preserve life from the great wrath. Both Utnapishtim and Noah went out on the sea for an even amount of days and nights, although Noah’s trip was longer. After the end of the last days, both sent out birds to find land. Even though Enlil did not know that a mortal survived the flood, and God knew that Noah and his family were going to survive, both Utnapishtim and Noah received a blessing for the gods/God. In summation, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible tells accounts of the lessons of temptation and everlasting life, and a similar story about the great flood.
Enkidu and Adam were both tempted by a woman to do a bad deed and in return gains knowledge. Though Gilgamesh sets out on a journey to receive everlasting life, and did not receive it; he now knows that he will die, but it counts as to what one does on earth that will make a difference on judgment day. One that leads a selfless life and a life dedicated to the teachings of the Word can and will receive everlasting life through Jesus Christ. The story of the great flood, tests both Utnapishtim and Noah to build this boat/ark and then in return is given some form of blessing. Though Utnapishtim went behind the backs of the gods and Noah was sent instructions directly from God, both survived the flood. The Epic of Gilgamesh teaches a lesson that can be used in everyday life, just as how the Bible lessons and stories should be used in everyday life. Even the word, Bible have an acronym meaning, “Basic Instructions Before Leading Earth,” which is something that should be followed
daily.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and the book of job are similar because they both share themes characters and setting. These two books differ because the book of job because it has a major theme that discusses where humans stand in the world.
At some point in every one’s life they go on a journey, whether it be a journey that circumferences the entire world or a journey of solely self-exploration. Either way a crucial part of life is going on a journey and finding out the type of person you are. Journeys are important for people because journeymen almost never end their journey the same way they started them. This is true for both Gilgamesh in The Epic of Gilgamesh and Candide in Candide. Both characters went on grand, strenuous and extensive journeys and both of them found out more about the world but more importantly more about themselves.
As human beings, we are designed to belive in something. Although the belief in a higher power or religion is diverse, many theologies share common themes. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and the Hebrew book of “Genesis” are seemingly polar opposites. Christianity, demonstrated in Genesis, is monotheistic, and the Hebrews base their faith on their relationship with God. On the other hand, Sumerian philosophy, found in Gilgamesh, is polytheistic, and the Sumerian people base their theology on fear. Ancient polytheistic literature forms an archetypical pattern of the mortals trying desperately to please the gods. A mortal’s entire existence rests in the hands of the sometimes childish gods. In spite of this, these two stories
One obvious distinction between "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and Genesis can be traced back to the cultures of the authors. The Gilgamesh epic comes from a culture and religion that is polytheistic. The author (and thus the characters in the epic) believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each possessing human attributes and vices. The Hebraic culture that gave us Genesis revolved around the belief in one Almighty God. The Hebrew God was above man in every way: He was omniscient and all-powerful and yet retained compassion for the humans He had created. While Noah had but one God to serve, Gilgamesh was responsible to many. It seems that many human-like gods each command less respect than one all-powerful God. This idea can be examined by looking at Ishtar's advances to Gilgamesh. This goddess desired the mortal Gilgamesh and he responds by shunning her, thereby being disobedient to his gods. Gilgamesh may be king of Uruk and two-thirds god but that does not make him an equal. "Come to me Gilgamesh, ...
Not doing suitably what you are advised to do, are human downfalls having no recompense; whereas, following the rules on timely basis will be the most worthwhile outcome. Contrasting the Benjamin R. Foster’s and Stephen Mitchell’s translation “Gilgamesh,” to the Robert Altar’s translation “The Flood,” each story has a very different emphasis and draws a different moral. The emphasis of “Gilgamesh,” becoming eternal and what steps can be taken to receive it. However, the emphasis of “The Flood” is true righteousness will give a prolonged life. The different emphasis of each story causes the moral of each story to be different. For instance, “Gilgamesh” teaches; not doing what is advised will cause lost opportunities and “The Flood” teaches; righteousness will cause unforeseen blessings.
similarities that are inevitably beyond mere coincidence. One could surmise that both of these stories might have a basis in common historical occurrence. However, despite the fact that both of these works discuss a common topic, the portrayal of this event is quite different. Like identical twins raised in different cultures, the expressions of these works are products of their environment.
The epic begins with the men of Uruk describing Gilgamesh as an overly aggressive ruler. "'Gilgamesh leaves no son to his father; day and night his outrageousness continues unrestrained; And he is the shepherd of Uruk, the enclosure; He is their shepherd, and yet he oppresses them. Strong, handsome, and wise. . . Gilgamesh leaves no virgin to her lover.'"(p.18, Line 23-27) The citizens respect him, but they resent his sexual and physical aggression, so they plead to the gods to alleviate some of their burden. The gods resolve to create an equal for Gilgamesh to tame him and keep him in line. This equal, Enkidu, has an immediate impact on Gilgamesh. When they first meet, both having never before met a man equal in stature, they brawl. "They grappled with each other, Snorting like bulls; They shattered the doorpost, that the wall shook."(p.32, lines 15-18) In giving Gilgamesh a real battle, Enkidu instantly changes him; having this equal gives Gilgamesh a sense of respect for another man. These two men fighting each other creates a serious mess, but they both end up without animosity toward the other.
is the idea of a divine being or, in other words, god. Early humans were
Enkidu’s death evokes a disturbing thought in Gilgamesh. He finally realizes that he is mortal. He then goes about trying to find the key to immortality. Gilgamesh first seeks out Utnapishtim, the only human to gain immortality. When Gilgamesh cannot pass the test of staying awake for seven days, Utnapishtim then gives him the plant "Old Men Are Young Again." Despite this second opportunity, Gilgamesh is not triumphant in his search for immortality because a serpent eats the plant and Gilgamesh’s opportunity is lost forever. He does not realize that Enlil, the father of the gods, had already determined his destiny. It is clear from the events of the story that Gilgamesh was not to obtain everlasting life and it is no coincidence that all of his efforts fail in one way or another. This is another example of man’s lack of control where the gods are concerned
A good number of people know the famous story of the Genesis flood, but do they know how it resembles to the Gilgamesh flood story? It is mind bending how the main stories are so alike. The main theme is the biggest similarity between the two. They also differ greatly in the smaller details in the events that take place. In both stories the number of days for events are different, but the same basic event takes place. Along with many other similarities and differences. The stories are very much the same, but when comparing the details within they are very different.
When two people are so much alike yet so different, it makes a comparison of Gilgamesh and Odysseus an interesting subject. Both the stories of “Gilgamesh” and “The Odyssey” show that the characters were successful warriors with many adventures to be told. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are human with many god-like qualities. Their perception of immortality, as well as regard for death and the influences of the gods in their lives and adventures, are similar; however, the characters have many differences.
Enkidu and Gilgamesh were the main characters in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the city of Uruk, King Gilgamesh was a merciless ruler, a strong man, and had long, beautiful hair. Under Gilgamesh’s rule, the people asked the gods to generate their tyrannical king’s competitor. To cease Gilgamesh from dominating people, Enkidu was developed. Enkidu was a hairy-bodied man raised by animals. He was prepared to accept the challenge. The two men were almost iden-tical in their courage and physical abilities. Gilgamesh had a vision ...
The flood story that is told in The Epic of Gilgamesh has the same principle as the story of Noah told in the book of Genesis in the Bible, but there are some major differences. In the epic, Utnapishtim is immortal and, although Noah was extremely old when he died, he wasn’t immortal. Utnapishtim was a human, but because he saved mankind, Enlil said, “Hitherto Utnapishtim has been a human, now Utnapishtim and his wife shall become like us gods.” (Gilgamesh 11.206-207) In the Biblical story, God told Noah that he was going to send a flood and asked him specifically to make the ark in order to save mankind. In Genesis 6:13-22, God tells Noah why he’s flooding the earth and exact instructions to build the ark. “13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress[a] wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.[b] 16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit[c] high all arou...
The epic begins with Gilgamesh terrorizing the people of Uruk. They call out to the sky god Anu for help. In response Anu tells the goddess of creation, Aruru, to make an equal for Gilgamesh. Thus Aruru created Enkidu, a brute with the strength of dozens of wild animals. After being seduced by a harlot from the temple of love in Uruk, Enkidu loses his strength and wildness yet gains wisdom and understanding. The harlot offers to take him into Uruk where Gilgamesh lives, the only man worthy of Enkidu's friendship. After a brief brawl the two become devoted friends.
... of these epics share quite many similarities. For example, the archetypes used, the types of settings, and the themes are a few of plenty of comparabilities found among The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the most important similarity is that both of these epics are timeless; they have been passed down through generations spanning thousands of years, and they will continue to be read for many years to come.