Essay On Achilles And Gilgamesh

Halie Bobo

Dr. Hirsch-Thomas

English 208-A01

21 February 2014

1. Achilles set the model for a kind of heroism still influential in the West. Compare the motives that drive Achilles' tragic behavior with Gilgamesh's motives, a hero close to Achilles in his rage and egoism. Refer to the texts, with proper MLA in-text citations, to support your analysis. Discuss the similarities found in Achilles' and Gilgamesh's motives, as well as the differences.

Immortality, since the beginning of time, has been the ultimate quest for redemption in humanity. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh clearly portrays the importance of the concept of everlasting life, conquering of humanity's greatest fear: Death. Achilles and Gilgamesh are both on the search for glory, making the search consume their whole existence and ultimately forms a crisis in the men's lives. Gilgamesh’s desire to kill Humbaba, his search for glory and immortality and Achilles’ insistence in participating into the war although there is a huge risk of death, are good examples for these character’s crises. In a sense, they are both seeking forms of immortality and enjoy violence and putting themselves in the face of death. Achilles and Gilgamesh, both being part divine, are similar in rage and egomania, however they different in the motives of what drives them to their tragic behaviors.

Gilgamesh and Achilles are considered classical heroes because both of them are part divine. Gilgamesh was born to Lugalbanda, earlier king of Uruk and Ninsun, a goddess called the wild cow, and so became, "I am king! Gilgamesh was singled out from the day of his birth, two-thirds of him was divine, one-third of him was human!" (citation p.100). Achilles was born to Peleus, the Thessalian kin...

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...er, and you going down under the hands of Peleus' perfect son," (citation p 283). When Achilles heard of Patroclus' death we see for the first time visible human characteristics of sadness and maybe guilt for punishment of immense hubris, "A mist of black grief enveloped Achilles," (citation p 284). Gilgamesh and Achilles both because of their hubris and desperate attempt to find different forms of immortality, lead to the fall of their best friends. The loss of their loved ones however, motivated them even more on their voyage to self contentment. Gilgamesh finally had the chance to obtain immortality, but failed multiple times, but could have possibly succeeded had Enkidu not died. Achilles responding to the death of Patroclus, decided to start fighting for the Greeks and again and in his search for revenge, killed great Hector and finally achieved immortal fame.