Comparing Gilgamesh And Noah's Ark

The stories of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Noah’s Ark were written during similar time

periods in areas that are geographically close to each other. Both stories have a similar plot:

God(s) destroy(s) areas with massive floods because those areas have done something that

displeased Him. There are similarities and differences between these two stories. The similarities

are very prominent because the plot is the same. However, the differences are more subtle.

One similarity between these stories surrounds the reason why the God(s) decided to

punish the people in these places with a flood. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the reason the Gods

gave for causing the flood were because of cacophonous loudness that the humans produced. In

the

story of Noah’s Ark, God decided to punish the people with a flood because of their sins.

Furthermore, these floods were caused by roughly the same reason: God(s) was/were mad at the

humans because of something they had done.

However, the exact reasons why the God(s)

decided to murder all humans were different.

Secondly, these stories differ in who the God(s) wanted to save. In the Epic of Gilgamesh

all people who helped build the boat, animals, and the kin/family of Gilgamesh were saved. In

the story of Noah’s Ark, only Noah, his family, and the animals were saved. The rationale of

God in the story of Noah’s Ark was that everyone, except Noah, were deserving to die.

Moreover, the Epic of Gilgamesh had only the city of Shurrupak flooded, not the entirety of the

Earth. These differences demonstrate that the Epic of Gilgamesh was more of an actual story,

whereas the story of Noah’s Ark was more of a story intended to discipline and proselytize

followers.

Lastly, the story of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Noah’s Ark differ in morality. Whereas

the Epic of Gilgamesh concerned more of vengeful Gods wanting to punish humans, the story of

Noah’s Ark dealt with God wanting to punish all humans because He wanted to teach future

humans lessons on sin. Furthermore, the Epic of Gilgamesh had regretful Gods feeling

sorrow

for the destruction they had caused. In the story of Noah’s Ark, God didn’t feel remorseful;

instead he felt that what He’d done was necessary for turning the moral ark of history into a less

sinful nature. The differences and similarities here show that Gods in the Epic of Gilgamesh

were truly human-like; whereas the God in the story of Noah’s Ark was more of an omnipotent

God who disliked the way humanity’s actions.

Both stories dealt with similar topics: sentimental, vengeful God(s) wanting to make

humanity pay for the grievances they had caused. However, deeper analyses in the comparison

and contrast of these stories reveal many differences. These differences are pronounced and

prominent throughout these stories; yet these stories still pertain to nearly the exact same plot.

Many points can be deduced from the comparison of these stories. In the comparison of these

stories, it is hard to not notice how these stories can illustrate how changes of stories occur

through time. In conclusion the stories of Noah’s Ark and the Epic of Gilgamesh reveal deep

historical and religious roots of people living during ancient times.