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The differences between Noah and Gilgamesh
The differences between Noah and Gilgamesh
The differences between Noah and Gilgamesh
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There are many different aspects that can be compared to as a suffering servants and it would be Gilgamesh and Noah. When comparing and contrasting these stories you have to understand as to what degree the suffering is deserved, what does the suffering mean to the character, and what is the nature of the pain or loss that the hero goes through.
The story of Noah is about how God wanted to destroy mankind because he believed man to be sinful and wicked so he decided to send a flood to drown all animals and people. In the biblical text Noah was considered a righteous man because he was blameless and he was told to build an ark and that he could save his family along with all his cattle. In Gilgamesh the righteous man was Utnapishtim who
At some point in every one’s life they go on a journey, whether it be a journey that circumferences the entire world or a journey of solely self-exploration. Either way a crucial part of life is going on a journey and finding out the type of person you are. Journeys are important for people because journeymen almost never end their journey the same way they started them. This is true for both Gilgamesh in The Epic of Gilgamesh and Candide in Candide. Both characters went on grand, strenuous and extensive journeys and both of them found out more about the world but more importantly more about themselves.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure filled plot and is concerned with timeless human problems such as honour, jealousy, war and hatred. These contain gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are based on legends and myths.
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.
An epic hero is a character that goes on a quest to achieve his goals, but sometimes encounters danger on the way. The hero is usually a king, prince, or a person of honor. The hero has a supernatural power that makes people respect them. The hero usually goes on a dangerous adventure to reach their goal or quest. The hero battles a creature or supernatural being that gets in their way during the adventure. The hero in the end usually does good deeds for people as well as finding themselves in the process. In every hero journey they find themselves or learn how to deal with their purpose in life, and end up accomplishing more then they set off to do.
Whether in Christianity in the form of Noah’s Ark, or through Mesopotamian history in the form of an immortal, the idea of a great flood has proven to be a common story throughout the world. Though Noah’s Ark may be the most popular form of the story, it is not the oldest. Many people believe Noah’s Ark was based on Utnapishnem’s flood story. The two stories are obviously based on the same thing, but one must wonder which one is true or which came first.
The Sumero-Babylonian version of the epic of Gilgamesh, after two and a half millennia of dormancy, was resurrected by British archaeologists in the nineteenth century. Amid the rubble of an Assyrian palace, the twelve clay tablets inscribed the adventures of the first hero of world literature – King Gilgamesh, whose oral folk tales go back to at least 3000 years before Christ (Harris 1). Tablet XI contains the story of the Flood. In this essay let us compare this flood account to the more recent Noah’s Flood account in Genesis of the Old Testament.
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.
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.
In a way, Gilgamesh did achieve his goal. His aim was to be immortal and in a way he is, witnessed by the fact that we read his story today and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. And as long as Christianity exists in the world, Noah will also be remembered. Gilgamesh gained his notoriety through his arrogance: he ravished women, was desired by a goddess, and rejected his own mortality. Noah achieved fame by being obedient: he was found worthy by God, given an escape route from death, and salvaged the creatures of the earth. Arrogance and obedience may have each achieved the same goal in the end, no one will forget Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, nor Noah, builder of the ark.
You may think Jesus isn't an epic hero or you may ask how is he an epic hero, but his story is more of an epic than you would think. On the other hand, Gilgamesh has the story and the characteristics of a good old fashion epic hero, that was brave, a strong fighter, and didn't back down for nothing. But Jesus never fought his enemies he fought them with love, and he was one hundred percent god on earth but Gilgamesh was only ⅔ god. Gilgamesh and Jesus have a good amount of differences. And in this essay I will be explaining the differences and similarities between these two godly figures abilities, the purpose of their quest,and what makes them very different from all humans on earth.
“Noah and the Ark” is a story of one good man in a world full of evil. “The Fall of Man”, however, is about how evil started. Although both stories are explanations of different aspects of good and evil, they are both a part of the same story; God is angry at the evil in the world and destroys it but keeps the goodness. However “Noah” contains more positive symbols and themes than “The Fall.” God is a central theme in both of them.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.
God does not smile upon the prideful. Throughout the bible he rebukes those who are too prideful. Back to the story of Gilgamesh, or Odysseus, or Nebuchadnezzar. In each of these stories these men were punished for their pride by the gods. Odysseus was forced to roam the seas for 10 years before he could return home. Gilgamesh was so prideful when he found out he could not be immortal he could not believe it. Nebuchadnezzar was turned into a beast of the field. After Nebuchadnezzar was returned to his normal state of mind, he stated “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase” (Holy Bible) in Daniel 4:37. James 4:6
When two people are so much alike yet so different, it makes a comparison of Gilgamesh and Odysseus an interesting subject. Both the stories of “Gilgamesh” and “The Odyssey” show that the characters were successful warriors with many adventures to be told. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are human with many god-like qualities. Their perception of immortality, as well as regard for death and the influences of the gods in their lives and adventures, are similar; however, the characters have many differences.
"The Story of the Great Flood" and the account of Noah and the ark are two similar stories in regards to their general message, however both are very different. The main idea of these two stories is that the life of mankind was filled with sin and each given deity destroyed them. In both accounts, the deity has the same purpose for their action against man. Also mentioned is the working of one god versus multiple gods. These two occurrences highlight differences between divine beings and human beings.