‘Gilgamesh and Noah’s Ark’ She never knew that high school would be this unbearable. Everyday she went home crying, reflecting on all of the insults that she heard that day. She never wanted to go back to that horrible place. How could everyone be so wicked? In the book of Genesis, God was so upset with the wickedness of the world, that he sent a flood to wipe out mankind. Similarly, the epic of Gilgamesh possesses a devastating plot. There are many similarities and differences between the story of Noah’s ark and the epic of Gilgamesh flood story. For example, the causes of the flood were similar in both of the stories. In the Bible, the flood was caused due to mankind and the evil ways of the world. The epic of Gilgamesh experiences a flood for the same reason. Additionally, both of the main characters made boats. However, the most interesting comparison between the two stories is the idea of eternal life. Gilgamesh searches for eternal life out of grief …show more content…
over the death of Enkidu but Christians believe that eternal life is found through obeying Christ. Another similarity throughout Gilgamesh that relates to the Bible is the seven-year famine that Anu punishes Gilgamesh through the Bull of Heaven. This famine is like the Biblical story of Joseph and the seven-year famine that God bestows on all of the lands except Egypt. Lastly, the effects of the flood were felt globally in both Gilgamesh and the story of Noah and the flood in the book of Genesis. In contrast, the stories differ in how each character was warned.
In the book of Genesis, Noah was warned by God himself. He told Noah to save his family and also a pair of each animal, male and female. Contrast to the epic of Gilgamesh, several Gods acted together in the idea of the flood. The uproar of mankind was intolerable and sleep was no longer possible for the Gods. Ea was the one that warned Utnapishtim about the flood in a dream. Also, the boat was made differently in the Bible compared to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although both Gilgamesh and Noah built the boats themselves, the reason they built the boats were different. Gilgamesh built the boat for him and Enkidu to escape after stealing trees and killing Humbaba. While Noah built the boat because he and his family were the only humans that God wanted to save the world of sin. Finally, the length of time that the flood lasted differed as well. For instance, the Bible’s version of the flood lasted forty days while Gilgamesh only lasted for
six. Just like the high school girl couldn’t understand the wickedness of her peers in high school, God could not stand the wickedness of the world. Therefore, he sent a flood to destroy humankind and the gods of the Epic of Gilgamesh did the same. Overall, there are many similarities and differences in both stories that revolve around the sin of the world and a flood to solve the problem.
*The boat dimensions are quite different. The boat in the story of the Babylonian flood is a cube, equal on all sides. While in the Bible, Noah is told to build his Ark in a 450x75x45 ratio. This ratio is what is known to ship builders as the perfect ratio for stabilty for a boat but it was not known until the 15th century AD. The Gilgamesh boat, being equal on all sides, would have been wildly unstable and unseaworthy.
The theme in Gilgamesh, Genesis and Sur 11 are comparably the same in that the people in each story were with sin and wickedness. In all three literatures, the people in the beginning were mean and sinful. The people in the Epic of Gilgamesh were evil and when Gilgamesh came to power he did not known what to since it was his first time beinging king. So, he would rule in a stern way to keep the people from sin. On Genesis God wanted to flood the Earth from the people who were sinful. God asked Noah to build an ark and to take his family and two of each animal.
Both in greek mythology Hercules and Gilgamesh experience similar burnedens in their stories, although both are only half God they are well respected in their societies. Both of the societies reflected in their stories are similar not just to each other but also to society that existed in the time period in which they were written. Even though the societies reflect the society of ancient Greece they of course have major differences. Women, men, gods, goddesses, death, and loyalty are all valued differently not so much in the stories when compared to each other but differ from how they are valued in ancient greek society.
There are many similarities and differences in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Hebrew scriptures. In both works you have Supreme beings or a being that has come to the conclusion that the earth and the people that reside on it are wicked. Because of these iniquitous individuals the earth must be destroyed. The supreme beings chose to destroy the earth by flood. In the Epic of Gilgamesh the gods influenced by Enlil their counselor make the decision to destroy the earth “The uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the Babel. So the gods agreed to exterminate mankind.” (Norton35). In the Hebrew scriptures the same conclusion was made by God that the earth was evil and would need to be destroyed “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Norton60). In both works the gods or God seem to have the same attitude and feelings after the flood. The Gods show feelings of remorse and grief in the Epic of Gilgamesh Ishtar speaks out in distress “Alas the Days of the old are turned to dust because I commanded evil: Why did I command this evil in the council of the Gods?” (Norton37). In the Hebrew scripture the Lord did not seem to be as remorseful but did acknowledge that what he did may no...
Some of the simpler similarities are that the extent of the flood reaches every part of the earth, the flood is intended to destroy mankind, aside from the heros and their families, Utnapishtim and Noah are found righteous by their God or gods, and they build an ark to certain qualifications. An example of a less obvious similarity is the location of where the arks first touche land. In the general sense, they both landed on a mountain: Noah’s “ ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventh day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 75) and Utnapishtim's “boat stuck fast beside Mt. Nimush” (Gilgamesh 57). Taking this information a Step deeper reveals that Mt. Ararat and Mt. Nimush are about 300 miles apart. Both boats land in a relatively close proximity. Further proving the idea that the Sumerians and Hebrews experience the same event. Utnapishtim’s and Noah’s lives are dramatically changed by the flood. They sacrifice all that is familiar to them in order to receive the blessings of God or the gods. The heroes are both examples of a term I will call the archetypal path of blessing. Utnapishtim and Noah are both comfortable with what they have before the flood, but as Christopher Columbus States “One can never cross the ocean until one has the courage to leave the shore.” Utnapishtim and Noah give up what is ordinary to receive what is great. The blessings of both characters exceed
The amazing stories of the great flood that are described in The Epic of Gilgamesh which is translated by N.K. Sandars and “The Story of the Flood” which is the King James version, both stories similarly. Many of the events of each story are very similar in ways and very different in some of them. From reading both stories I concluded that there was a huge flood that took place in that area of the world. Even though the way both stories describe the flood; The Epic of Gilgamesh is more imaginable. I say that because it is more realistic to have rain for six days, six nights than for forty days, forty nights. Both flood stories have a major similarity and difference though. Both stories described the same flood but they did it in different ways.
Many cultures have stories of a great flood, and probably the best known story is of Noah's Ark. The next most notable is the Sumerian story of Ut-Napishtim found in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the ancient Babylonian depiction of the flood story, the god Enlil creates a flood to destroy a noisy mankind that is disturbing his sleep. Gilgamesh is told by another god, Ea, to build an ark (Monack 1). The Epic of Gilgamesh has broadly the same structure and plot as Noah's Ark, suggesting the possibility that the Biblical account has drawn influence from the archaeologically older Sumerian depiction. University professor Alexander Heidel concludes that these accounts are undeniably related (Fowler 1). According to theological considerations, the Epic and the Biblical versions can be contrasted as well.
The Epic of Gilgamesh also tells about a great flood that share many similarities as with “Noah and the Flood”. T...
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.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis have many similarities, or parallels, that connect the two great works. It is amazing how two stories were written at completely different times, yet have so many things in common. Drawing parallels can even help you understand the stories more. So, what do Gilgamesh and Genesis have in common? Using a bird to see if the flood is gone, making a sacrifice to God/ the gods, and the serpent in each story causes the main characters not to have immortality are only a few examples of connecting the stories together.
The famous literary works of Gilgamesh, Ramayana, and The Odyssey have been studied, written about, and heralded in the literary world many times over. Each of the literary pieces has been held in the highest esteem for varying different reasons. Some of them have been because of the literary influences that they have produced over the subsequent years and the religious influences they had. The purpose of this writing assignment is to compare and contrast the religious influences found in each of the literary works.
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.
... 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.
In Genesis, the characters serve their God much differently than those in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In Genesis 1 God instructs Adam and Eve to populate the earth, rule over the animals, and to eat whatever plant they wished. Adam and Eve listened to God and they served him through their unconditional love for him. That’s is another difference between the two texts. In Gilgamesh, the characters don’t express love for their Gods, only respect, but in Genesis, Adam and Eve express their love and respect for their God. Lastly, both works are similar in that the characters in both works eventually disobey and go against their Gods. In the epic, Gilgamesh kills Humbaba to challenge the Gods. His act of going against them is his way of proving that the Gods rules are not unbreakable and that no one has true power over him. In Genesis, Adam and Eve eventually go against God by eating from the tree at the center of the Garden of Eden. The difference in the characters from each text’s act of rebellion is that Gilgamesh did it to spite his Gods, and Adam and Eve did it out of curiosity and loyalty to one
The Epic of Gilgamesh Analysis “The Epic of Gilgamesh” was written in 1800 BCE. This is the oldest existing written story. Gilgamesh, a mighty king of Uruk, who is one-third man and two-thirds God, abuses his power. Gilgamesh does multiple of things that no one else in this time period could do. Although Gilgamesh is more powerful than others, he faces many obstacles that hurt him mentally.