A comparison of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey searching for the meaning of life Gilgamesh and Odysseus are both men. They are ordinary men who have been granted certain strengths, one has physical strength and one has mental strength. However, they experience hardships and make mistakes. They try to find themselves through life just like any average man. The two works of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey, are compared as expressions of searches for this meaning of life through knowledge. The two stories are somewhat mirrors of themselves in this manner. Gilgamesh and Odysseus find out their own meanings of life through trials and tribulations just as any ordinary man would. In the prologue of the Epic of Gilgamesh, we learn that he is two- thirds god and one-third man. He is king of Uruk. He is more than anyone can desire to be, yet he is still mortal and must experience death of a loved one and death himself. This will turn out to be Gilgamesh's question of life as we will see. The Odyssey is somewhat different in the format of events, so we do not know much about Odysseus until later in the story. But due to reading the Iliad we know that Odysseus is the king of Ithaca and he is a major part of the Trojan war. In the beginning of the Odyssey, we do know that Odysseus has a family which is struggling without him. He will come to realize his family means more to the preservation of his life than anything he could learn in war. So both of our characters are very well off, thanks to the gods. As we know, nothing is perfect and life will always present challenges to everyone even the strongest and smartest. Gilgamesh is in control of Uruk and the people are not happy because he kills their sons and rapes their daughters. The people of Uruk pray to the gods to give him an 'equal,' a 'reflection,' a 'second self.' "Let them contend together and leave Uruk in quiet"(p 19).
(Gilgamesh 3) Immediately we are introduced to an all knowing and heroic figure; Gilgamesh. ... (Gilgamesh 4). ... (Gilgamesh 57) In a sense, Gilgamesh is being renewed. ... Yet Gilgamesh still cannot rest. ... (Gilgamesh 59). ...
Gilgamesh Gilgamesh, a giant among men, someone who had no equal, one who you would think was, without question, a hero. ... Most people would have been content where Gilgamesh was, but Gilgamesh wanted more, and that made him a man. ... Gilgamesh begins his maturing process when he meets Enkido. Enkido, sent by the gods to balance Gilgamesh, sets Gilgamesh down a couple of notches by wrestling with him. ... He 2 gives Gilgamesh a chance to get mortality but Gilgamesh fails. ...
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh explores the possibility of immortality following the saddening death of his friend and brother, Enkidu. ... Seeking to avoid death, Gilgamesh strives to learn the secret of everlasting life Being two-thirds god is not enough for Gilgamesh. ... Gilgamesh is not only a hero in The Epic of Gilgamesh, he is a representation of society as a whole. ... Once again, Gilgamesh displays his changed character. ... Gilgamesh and Enkidu will be kept in an immortal state for however long The Epic of Gilgamesh is told....
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh explores the possibility of immortality following the saddening death of his friend and brother, Enkidu. ... Seeking to avoid death, Gilgamesh strives to learn the secret of everlasting life Being two-thirds god is not enough for Gilgamesh. ... Gilgamesh is not only a hero in The Epic of Gilgamesh, he is a representation of society as a whole. ... Once again, Gilgamesh displays his changed character. ... Gilgamesh and Enkidu will be kept in an immortal state for however long The Epic of Gilgamesh is told. ...
Some examples of epics are the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Gilgamesh. One of the most famous epics of all is probably the Epic of Gilgamesh. ... Gilgamesh in the story is known as the King of Uruk. ... Gilgamesh believed he was better than everybody else. ... Enkidu, who ended up being Gilgamesh's best friend, was very similar to Gilgamesh. ...
(Gilgamesh tablet 1, 34) Gilgamesh is radiant and bold, and "supreme over other kings." (Gilgamesh tablet 1, 28) Before Enkidu appears Gilgamesh rules over his city the way that he pleases. ... (Gilgamesh tablet 5, 97-98) Enkidu gives Gilgamesh the courage to over power Humbaba. ... Enkidu addressed Gilgamesh saying "My friend, we can be bold how shall we respond- (Gilgamesh tablet 6, 129-131) This shows the strong connection between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. ... (Gilgamesh tablet 10, 300-01) This changes Gilgamesh's perspective of life. ...
Gilgamesh is an exception as he does not conform to the traits mentioned above. ... Gilgamesh was born powerful and possessed obvious physical strength. ... All of this changed when Gilgamesh with his companion Enkidu. ... Gilgamesh showed off his bravery, loyalty, and respect after meeting Enkidu. ... Gilgamesh began to fear death and was left with overwhelming grief. ...
Gilgamesh: The True Evil of Power This story of Gilgamesh is a perfect example of how power when given to someone, can overtake and corrupt an individual. ... Gilgamesh was taken over by evil through the power he was given. ... Though it did not go exactly as plan as Gilgamesh ultimately won. ... Then immediately his fury died (Gilgamesh,pg16-17)." ... Gilgamesh has finally seen someone who can at least challenge him. ...
Wild in nature, Enkidu must be civilized and sent to Gilgamesh. ... Enkidu and Gilgamesh battled, but it seems neither could win. ... Again, Gilgamesh fails and returns to the city of Uruk. ... In the story, Gilgamesh is portrayed as semi-divine. ... In the beginning of the story, Gilgamesh is a bad king. ...
And also like the majority in this country, I had never heard of the story of Gilgamesh. ... Finding out who wrote the epic of Gilgamesh was even more difficult. ... This gives credence to the idea that Genesis could have been based on the stories in Gilgamesh. ... The Gilgamesh flood lasted only 3 weeks, whereas the Genesis flood lasted over a year10. ... In Gilgamesh the gods Ea and Mami created 14 human beings to help repopulate the Earth. ...
