Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Gilgamesh

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Recommended: Comparing beowulf and gilgamesh

Madison Bowdish
Mrs. Buckhold
CP English 11
5 November 2014
Beowulf and Gilgamesh: Brothers From Another Mother One two thirds god the other human, both great warriors and kings. Could their skills and greatness possibly be comparable? Beowulf, a protagonist in the epic poem Beowulf, battles various creatures and acquires many victories all while being human. The Epic of Gilgamesh, another epic poem, has a lead character named Gilgamesh who is two thirds god and has great battles and triumph also. Both epic poems have similarities in character traits, plot, and theme, despite Beowulf being written in the tenth century A.D. and The Epic of Gilgamesh in 2000 B.C.. The great geat-warrior Beowulf and the glorious god Gilgamesh are both dedicated and loyal beings. Gilgamesh has a friend named Enkidu who he fights his battles with, but when his …show more content…

After the god befriends Enkidu he bluntly claims, “I need to increase my fame. I will obtain wood from the distant cedar forest and slay its guardian Humbaba.” When his new found companion is unsure of his idea Gilgamesh states, “ Has your strength left you, Enkidu? Even lions were once afraid of you. No man can live forever. If I die in this battle, at least my children will be able to say that I fought Humbaba.” Gilgamesh openly stated his opinion on how he feels about the importance of honor and reputation. Beowulf has corresponding thoughts on the topics as well. After the attack of Grendel’s Mother on the Herot hall, Beowulf assembled the men and declared, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not to mourn them forever. Each of us will come to the end of this life on earth; he who can earn it should fight for the glory of his name; fame after death is the noblest of goals.” The brave warrior expressed the necessity for a man to leave the world with reputation and honor. To Gilgamesh and Beowulf, fame and glory are

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