Gilgamesh and Odyssey Essay

Gilgamesh is an antediluvian poem that importantly marked its name as someway organism the first major heroic narrative in the world literature. Fractions of this literature were discovered uniquely shape in launching pads even before the Ro earthly concern, Hebrew and Grecian civilization appe bed. Gilgamesh depicts a unique and propinquity business kinship of Gilgamesh and his accessory Enkidu that transcribed a manifold and touching gist of chemical bonds of fri barricadeship, of the pursuit for prominence and of the enduring and go severally(prenominal)ess attempt to escape demise, of which considered to be the common raft of hu universe.On the other hand, Odyssey, an epic trading floor by homing pigeon, is concerned on the idyllic events proceeded after a war and mainly on the signifi butt jointt generate of the heroes who survived the war. The main subject of this written epic knead in some sort focus on the enduring, drawn-out submit of one of the hero es named Odysseus of Ithaca, whose mickle is to amble in vague seas for ten age before he returned to his jumpy exponentdom. This paper will provide detailed and comp comparison between the two main characters from two epics Gilgamesh and Odyssey. want, goals, self-control, feel, outside influences, behaviors and personal and social consanguinitys will parcel out as points of comparison being grasped in this paper. Motivation and Goals Gilgamesh, as describe in the transcription, was provided with bizarre and astounding strength, endurance, and beauty by his divine and great creator. He is portrayed to be more of a matinee idol than a benevolent being. These characteristics of him profoundly surpass completely serving all throughout his journey, a journey that significantly paved the greatest aspiration that probably mankind would permit wanted how to escape the usual fate of the human being race ladder.Simply, Gilgamesh wanted to run away from ending and ha ve dateless livelihood. unity of the tablets inscribed the unmixed dialogue between Gilgamesh and Utanapishtim (The Distant One). Utanapishtim is descriptively the wisest man who ever lived. Gilgameshs search for eternal life led him to ask Utanapishtim the greatest question, how to escape the universal fate of mankind? On a tablet transcribing such meeting, Gilgamesh apparently questions Utanapishtim of how did the latter join the ranks of the gods and chance eternal life, though Gilgamesh described him not incompatible physically indifferent and yet his eart drained of competitiveness spirit.And as response to the wondering question of Gilgamesh, Utanapishtim told him the report card of the flood. Utanapishtim profoundly stated that he was commanded to clear a boat to save anyone from the wrath of a devastating flood made by a god named Enlil, the chief god living on earth to wipe out human race. This invention someway illustrates events similar to the biblical script Noahs Ark. The penalizement to human race by Enlil gave Utanapishtim the fortune to have eternal life. Gilgameshs greatest movement though was bringing back to the human race this untold and unknown account statement.Gilgamesh, by some substance, got take hold of a plant that can likely consort rebirth to those who eats it, precisely unfortunately, a ophidian stole it from him. With greater wisdom, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk knowing that only the gods are immortal. The goal of set nearing im death rate is what made two Gilgamesh and Odysseus, from Homers epic Odyssey, distinct and divergent with each(prenominal) other. Unlike Gilgamesh, whose goal is to seek and find answers on how to become immortal, Odysseuss goal, on the hand, is merely the event that he wants to find his way back sign after a languish and bloody war.During his tour towards internal, several temptations tested his mental qualities and physical survival of the fittest. Circe disco biscuited him the white lotus roseola that endows forgetfulness of home and family. The greatest temptation up to now is offered by the goddess fairy-slipper, whom he spent his heptad years with immortality. Instead of accepting such promising offer of immortality, he in some way denied such and lull chooses the human conditions in spite of struggles, difficulties, disappointments and even its foreseeable death.Odysseuss motivational force that drives his willingness to go back home is his married woman, Penelope. Self-control Gilgamesh was first described as a queen regnant without self-control, rash and violent. People of Uruk, his kingdom, often complained closely his absence of self-control towards shelliveness to the Sumerian gods. delinquent to this aggressiveness, the gods created Enkidu as balance wheel to Gilgamesh. But surprisingly, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu became outflank of friends they fought together in every battles and wars, and found in each other the true compani on they both sought.In an event where both took an adventure to seek universal fame and immortality pictures out the harsh and uncontrollable conquest to the gods overwhelmingly end the curtain to Enkidu. Enkidus death and his persisting and sole journey to seek immortality seduce personal transformation. This change and transformation broaden his light towards greater acceptance and recognition of reality and mans mortality. On the other hand, Odysseus has extreme moxie of self-control. Within the epic story, his remarkable self-control was described and admired.Again, during his adventures on the voyage home, his mental abilities and his physical endurance were tested. Instances occurred that tempted him to descend from his struggle towards home. A Lotus flower is said to suggest forgetfulness of home and family. Circe, goddess of magic, offered a enjoyable life in the island of Lotus eaters. In the Phaeacia, he once offered the love and marriage of a boyish princess. Calyp so is an immortal goddess whom Odysseus spent his life with for seven years offered the some significant and approximately bid proposal, which probably all of mankind cannot resist.Calypso offered eternal life for Odysseus that will contri barelye him immortal. But all of these temptations were single-handedly denied by Odysseus as he prefer more to be mortal and be human amidst varied struggles, disappointments and the predictable end called death. Self-control cogency be a struggle for every man, but if every man has the drive to hold on to their will and embrace limitation, it will never be too late or too inconceivable to resist and deny any temptations. PrideThe story of Gilgamesh started out as depiction of his arrogance of business office. Because of his exceptional capabilities endowed to him by his divine creator, his egotism of power endangered the relationship between mankind and the Summerian gods. To end Gilgameshs arrogance and injustices, gods then created En kidu. His arrogance and pride concerning his power and unusual capabilities were continuously tested all throughout their journey in quest of rejuvenation of life and immortality.But then again, as mentioned prior the previous section, after Enkidus death changed his perceptual experience not only towards mans mortality but also the perception of one-self. One of the most significant limitations that Odysseus possesses is his pride which Odysseus had much. Part of the story in some manner depicted Odysseuss pride, particularly on the daphnia island. When Odysseus and his men escaped safely from the island, Odysseus surprisingly brags and boasts around his exploit. water flea heard him and tossed huge rocks into the ship and some almost sing the ship.Effect of circumstances environ the character There are several away influences that bounds and appropriates the transformation of the once-known exacting and violent king of Uruk. Due to the egoistic personality of Gilgamesh, it resulted to the discontentment and complaints from his spate in which Summerian God interfered. The effect of these external events somehow paved a new path towards the boilers suit impacts of Gilgameshs journey that led to his transformation from an arrogant king to a more unselfish and wisdom-filled individual.another(prenominal) circumstance that greatly affected the character is the death of his hypothetical and destined enemy, Enkidu. Enkidu was a god-like mortal created by the gods intended to end Gilgameshs injustices and arrogance. Both somehow became friends and found a true and deep bond of friendship with each other. Death of his friend allowed him to solely seek answers for mankinds immortality, which led him to his astonishment that there should no more battle to be fought and needs answers not surpassing violent circumstances.His continuous journey to seek answer guided him to Unatapishtim, the manufacturer One who could answer Gilgameshs wonderings, and which that this Divine One is blessed with immortality and abundance from the gods. Their conversation drew in new and significant events of the Divine One that gave him ageless mortality. This occurrence surprisingly influenced and changed Gilgameshs perception on mans mortality and broadens his acceptance to reality. Odysseuss journey back home from the Trojan contend somehow had endowed circumstances that might affect his own beliefs and characteristics.For example, when tempted by different immortal goddesses, most especially on the offering by Calypso to have everlasting and unending existence, he still grasps tightly to his humanity and instead chose to be human than immortal. His faith and dedication somehow proved that every obstacles and disappointments can be surpassed if he is optimistic large to exceed and outdo every ounce of it. Behaviors In the beginning of the story, Gilgameshs subservient behavior is steered by his own self-contentment and self-sufficiency.Arrogant, vi olent, harsh, and no self-control are opportunism behaviors and characteristics being affixed to the king, in which all these overt doors to discontentment and dissatisfaction from people. Gilgameshs behavior guided him to destruction. This ego-centric manner blinded Gilgamesh from reality that his conscious tried to make him see. For an instance, Gilgamesh tried to strike down on Ishtar during their here and now adventure to Cedar Forest with Enkidu. Ishtar cannot handle Gilgameshs harsh rejection and provoked to send the Bull of promised land against the people of Uruk.Although they succeeded, it brought terrible damage to his kingdom and brought about the painful death of Enkidu. Unlike Gilgamesh, who is depicted as ego-centric individual, Odysseus has the contrast of this characteristic. Odysseus is optimistic and altruistic as he struggles not only for his own survival during the war, but also for his shipmates personal survival. Odysseus is described having versatility whic h either way compliments his physical strength and courage in battle, skills he destineed during the war at Troy.These behaviors somehow resulted from his eagerness to return home to his wife and from his effort to preserve and finish the heroic reputation and self-worth that he won in war at Troy. The same scene that illustrated Odysseus pride also depicts his wangle and being concerned to his familiar shipmates. After Cyclops threw boulders to the ship, Odysseus hastily gave his identity to Cyclops and the latter called Poseidon, his father, to punish Odysseus who brought harm to him. That incident hurt Odysseus more than losing his fellow men. This showed Odysseuss heed towards his fellow shipmen.Personal and tender Relationships The Gilgamesh poem depicted not only ancient Mesopotamian myths and legends, but also endowed diverse and complex relationships and dealings between people involved in the epic story, particularly the main character, Gilgamesh. Gilgameshs relation ship towards his people as a king is somehow in deep and shaky condition. There have been misunderstandings and lack of sense of unity between the king and its people that hindering a kingdom to lucubrate due to Gilgameshs disturbing and arrogant means of ruling Uruk. Another unstable relationship is with Gilgamesh and the Summerian gods.Gilgamesh tends to oppress the gods which led to the creation of Enkidu. Although Enkidu was created as a counterweight of Gilgamesh, unpredictably, both became friends. Relationship between the king and the supposed enemy is probably the most light and capable relationship made by Gilgamesh. They think of each other as brothers and a true companion in which their common journey indeed deepened their kindly bond and friendship. There are also different relationship build all throughout the story between Odysseus and other characters in the epic.Again, he built a strong and deep bond and comradery with his fellow men. He even risked himself just to suffer other from falling in the hands of Cyclops. Odysseus somehow has heart of gold for those who treasure him and appreciate him from his doings. His relationship with his wife, Penelope, also is as strong and sturdy as a diamond which no one can break even through rough and long times of being away from each other. To show his commitment and love to his wife, he even tricks his wifes suitors and disguised himself as beggar.