World Literature (Gilgamesh, The Odyssey)

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Gilgamesh and Odyssey

The following essay will compare the epics of Gilgamesh and Homer 's Odyssey . The issue of the patriarch will be examined as well as the strength necessary to be a hero during these times . In fact , the issue of strength will be a main focus and theme throughout this essay

The epic of Gilgamesh derives from Mesopotamian culture involving a super-human man (much like Odysseus proves himself to be , two-thirds god and one-third human . In the translated stone

tablets that exist of the story Gilgamesh is king of Uruk in Babylonia , which is located today in modern Iraq . The story , historically , takes place approxiamately 2700 B .C . however the story itself was only orally passed between audiences until being written in cuneiform in 2000 B .C

One of the major themes in the epic Gilgamesh is that of civilization (this theme also extends to Odyssey in that the main character seeks out different lands and delves into many cultures . Gilgamesh is reputed to have built the walls of Uruk , temples in the city , and introduced irrigation . The irony in the epic however is that Gilgamesh learns about civilization and building great feats of human usage also learns that nothing in life is permanent (as Odysseus discovers as well with the death of many of his comrades during their adventures as well as his return home and the age he has become . Thus , even the great walls of Uruk (which were only discovered after being unburied from sand ) were not kept completely intact

Another point of civilization is found with Gilgamesh 's friend and life companion Enkidu . Enkidu is brought into the world by Anu the sky-god in ancient Mesopotamia . Gilgamesh is thought by the gods to have too much power and strength and so Anu send Enkidu to balance Gilgamesh

Enkidu arrives in the world devoid of proper etiquette , with the strength of many animals , and in fact roams the forest nude with these woodland creatures . While Gilgamesh is the apex of civilization , Enkidu exists at the opposite side of the spectrum being described thusly

His whole body was shaggy with hair

he had a full head of hair like a woman

his locks billowed in profusion like Ashnan

He knew neither people nor settled living

but wore a garment like Sumukan

He ate grasses with the gazelles

and jostled at the watering hole with the animals

as with animals , his thirst was slaked with (mere ) water

While Gilgamesh resides in a palace , Enkidu sleeps with the stars

In the epic of Gilgamesh there also exists the bull that the goddess Ishtar threatened Gilgamesh . Ishtar had incited Gilgamesh to become her lover (here the reader may discover a correlation between Gilgamesh and Odysseus in the taking of goddesses for lovers , or women of extraordinary strength , but Gilgamesh said no listing all of the other paramours she had and their doomed fates at her hands . Ishtar becomes enraged after this...