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Comparison between the epic of gilgamesh and bible
The epic of Gilgamesh and the bible comparison
The epic of Gilgamesh and the bible comparison
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Mini Paper There are many different religions, and each religion has its own way that it believes. This includes different ideas on certain things that have happened in history. Some religions might argue about how the Earth was created, or how many gods we have. One example of something in history that we do have two different views on is the story of the flood that was sent to wipe out all life on earth. The two stories come from the Holy Bible, and the other is from the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both of these stories include the flood, but they explain different ways of how it happened. The story in the Bible is that a man named Noah, who is a very holy and religious man, is called upon by God. God tells him that there is much violence and sin
Perhaps the most popular comparison with Noah's Flood is that of an ancient Babylonian story of a similar flood. A quick look at the text does show some key similarities between them however there are also some pointed differences. I will show you both and let you decide whether there is or is not a connection.
There is much debate over the historical accuracy of the Hebrew Bible and The Epic of Gilgamesh. Some claim that to understand a work of literature requires extensive knowledge of the background of this work. The contrary position is that a work of literature can be interpreted solely on it’s content. The meaning of the term classical literature is that it can be applied during any period of time, it is eternal. Yet the conditions surrounding the author might still be of interest to the reader, and of importance to the work. As with many cases, the truth is somewhere in between the two extremes. Both sides have valid arguments about the importance of historicity.
The movie first shows Noah as a boy who sees his father get killed in cold blood by King Tubal-Cain. He becomes the last in his lineage, and then the movie cuts to a scene of a middle aged Noah. He is depicted as a family man who cares for the preservation of the earth and all of God’s creatures, unlike the lineage of Cain. He dreams of blood at his feet and drowning underwater. This was God’s call to Noah, letting him know that he will destroy all life on earth and telling him to prepare for the flood.
Merriam- Webster online dictionary defines an epic hero as, “ A grand and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or effected by grand events.” The same dictionary also defines an epic poem as, “a story told about a hero or exciting events.” The Epic of Gilgamesh is often considered the oldest story on earth; which would make Gilgamesh, the story’s controversial main character, and the world’s oldest epic hero. This epic set a precedent for all epics to follow; it displayed most of the traits that society commonly perceives an epic hero and epic poem should have. The Epic of Gilgamesh exhibits tendencies of an epic poem through its inclusion of an epic hero, multiple gods and goddesses, and it’s vast array of settings across the world. Additionally, Gilgamesh presents attributes of an epic hero through his quest for immortality, his noble birth and his battles with superhuman foes.
The encounter of deities and divinities pepper the pages throughout the two stories, The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer and The epic of Gilgamesh originating in ancient Mesopotamia. To gain a deeper understanding of God and the Gods in both stories consider the role God(s) fulfill, the personal relationship between earthly individuals and a higher power and the reception between the divine and their followers. According to Hobby, Blake and Harold Bloom in reference to The Canterbury Tales, “The most common use of ‘inspire’ in the fourteenth century carries the implication ‘infusion of a divine presence” (54), thus inspiring observation and a notable presence of the divine within the tale. The essence of spiritual representation in The Canterbury Tales and The Epic of Gilgamesh accentuate each story.
The Odyssey and Gilgamesh are two great epics that show two heroes from two different time periods trying to find the meaning of life. In this paper, I would like to talk to you about the two epics and how they were both alike and different in some ways. Mainly I want to focus on the qualities they shared or didn 't, what the god 's roles were in the epics, and how death and immortality are observed in these epics.
The story of Noah’s Ark begins with God being upset at mankind's wickedness. He decides to destroy it with a flood. God new Noah was righteous and told him to build an ark so he would be safe from the rain. Noah did so and took aboard his family and pairs of every kind of animal. It rained for forty days and nights, until the highest mountains were covered. Then God sent a wind and the waters receded, and the...
Creation stories have profound effects on humans. Those associated with ancient cultures/civilizations aim to ensure the successful survival or well-being of themselves and that particular culture/civilization of their association, but not all are beneficial, prosperous, or fortunate. Mesopotamia’s “The Gilgamesh Epic”, Egypt’s “Hymn to the Nile-Documents”, and Mesoamerica’s Mayan and Aztec creation stories/religion are influential to establishing significant relationships within society, whether that is between humans and nature or humans and their “god(s).”
The Epic of Gilgamesh records a story of a world-wide flood and pre-dates Genesis. So some claim that this invalidates the Genesis record. But P.J. Wiseman presents an interesting theory in this regard in his book Ancient Records and the Structure of Genesis (New York: Thomas Nelson, 1985).
The story of the great hero, Gilgamesh, fulfills the requirements of an epic. Gilgamesh is consistently relevant to society and it conveys timeless themes and messages. It is in human nature for people to want to excel in life and strive to make a name in this world for themselves. We want to be remembered by name or for something we have done. Most, who actually succeed, are forgotten about in a matter of years. However, some are remembered for tens, hundreds, and even thousands of years, because of their great intellectual achievement to feats of outstanding skill.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to the Bible, especially in Genesis and it’s not just that the both begin with the letter “g”’! One major similarity being the flood story that is told in both works. The two stories are very similar but also very different. Another being the use of serpents in both works and how they represent the same thing. A third similarity being the power of God or gods and the influence they have on the people of the stories. Within these similarities there are also differences that need to be pointed out as well.
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.
In our current day and age, there are many religions as the chart above shows. Some of which may appear similar. These religions may be superficially the same; however, they have very distinct doctrinal differences. For example two religions may believe in a heaven and a hell, but the way correct way they think to get to heaven can be completely different. There are also many religions who believe in Jesus as the son of God; other beliefs say that he was just a mere man or a prophet. C.S. Lewis is a renowned Christian apologetic; before he devoted his life to Christ he said “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he's a poached egg -- or else he would be the devil of hell; you must take your choice” (Lewis). Many religions believe in a higher power. Some religions like Buddhism, believe in many gods. Other religions say that there is only one god.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.
Although many religions have different sects; which, may share different ideas just like in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is evident that these religions believe in one god. The teaching and traditions of each religion make each religion unique in its own way.