Compare And Contrast Gilgamesh Vs Noah

“A man of distinguished courage or ability,admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (“hero”). A hero is a person who cares for people, is determined to obtain his goals, and is very brave and lets no one stop him from achieving his dreams. Gilgamesh is a man who is also part god that has lost his best friend Enkidu and now searches for eternal life due to the death of his friend. Noah is a very religious man who the Lord trusted very much and was tasked with building an arch and housing animals and his family in it to save them from an incoming flood. They are both epic heroes from their respective stories. Gilgamesh is a better example of an epic hero then Noah because he is a brave, caring, and determined person.

Gilgamesh is far more brave than most “heroes” in stories let alone Noah. Gilgamesh endured many frightening obstacles while on the other hand the most frightening thing Noah dealt with was the animals he had to load into the arch. Gilgamesh states “Although I

[Gilgamesh] should go in sorrow and in pain, with sighing and weeping, still I must go. Open the gate of the mountain” (Sandars 143). Here you can see what Gilgamesh had gone through and where his bravery allowed him to overcome obstacles. Noah isn’t what most people would consider brave he isn’t ready to face the obstacle given to him by his lord but however is forced to for his own good. Here you can see the true lack of Noah’s bravery “I [The Lord] have decided to put an end to all flesh… And Noah did as the Lord commanded him” (noah… 171-172). The Lord is going to kill everything and Noah doesn't even try to save all of man, he is overpowered by the lord and only saves his family. However, being brave is not the only thing that makes you an “epic hero”, Gilgamesh is also caring.
Gilgamesh has a kind heart and it is made very apparent in the story.

The entire story Gilgamesh laments his friends passing. Gilgamesh lamented “Now I will pray to the great gods, for my friend has had an ominous dream” (Sandars 141). This shows Gilgamesh’s true kindness, his best friend Enkidu had a dream of his death and the afterlife and Gilgamesh prays to his gods to try and save his friends life because he cares for him so. Meanwhile Noah is the opposite of caring and only cares for his life and enjoyment. Noah had left the rest of the world to be flooded out and die while he only saved his family. And another event of Noah’s lack of a heart “Cursed be Canaan; The lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers” (“noah… 175). Noah had cursed his own son to being a slave because his son had covered himself (noah) when he was drunk and naked. It is quite obvious that Gilgamesh was far more caring then Noah. Right along with Gilgamesh’s kind heart he is also a very determined

person.
Gilgamesh’s determination is unmatched by any character from any other story. Gilgamesh states “I will cross the ocean if it is possible; if it is not I will wonder still farther into the wilderness” (Sandars 144). It’s obvious Gilgamesh is determined to acquire eternal life, he seems to be willing to do anything. Noah on the other hand seems to do as little as he needs and doesn't save more people or animals. The author writes “How can I [Gilgamesh] be silent, how can I rest, when Enkidu whom I love is dust, and I too shall die and be laid in the earth” (Sandars 144). Gilgamesh is so determined to obtain eternal life, whenever he is told just to stop that isn’t meant for Man he ignores it and keeps on going no matter what happens. The determination is only one of the few things that makes Gilgamesh such an excellent hero.
The better example of an epic hero of the two, Gilgamesh and Noah, is obviously Gilgamesh, he is so much more brave, caring, and determined. Gilgamesh sets out on his own adventure while Noah is told to go and allows all of humanity to be murdered. Gilgamesh cares for his friend, Enkidu, so much you would have to be blind not to see it, Noah, he, just lets all of humanity die and he has no sadness of it. Noah yet again is in the back, he isn't determined, does not make his own adventure however is told to and he is never stopped by obstacles, While Gilgamesh is constantly being stopped and harassed but he overcomes it. A hero is a person who cares for people, is determined to obtain his goals, and is very brave and lets no one stop him from achieving his dreams.