Comparing Gilgamesh And Noah's Ark

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The stories of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Noah’s Ark were written during similar time

periods in areas that are geographically close to each other. Both stories have a similar plot:

God(s) destroy(s) areas with massive floods because those areas have done something that

displeased Him. There are similarities and differences between these two stories. The similarities

are very prominent because the plot is the same. However, the differences are more subtle.

One similarity between these stories surrounds the reason why the God(s) decided to

punish the people in these places with a flood. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the reason the Gods

gave for causing the flood were because of cacophonous loudness that the humans produced. In

the …show more content…

However, the exact reasons why the God(s)

decided to murder all humans were different.

Secondly, these stories differ in who the God(s) wanted to save. In the Epic of Gilgamesh

all people who helped build the boat, animals, and the kin/family of Gilgamesh were saved. In

the story of Noah’s Ark, only Noah, his family, and the animals were saved. The rationale of

God in the story of Noah’s Ark was that everyone, except Noah, were deserving to die.

Moreover, the Epic of Gilgamesh had only the city of Shurrupak flooded, not the entirety of the

Earth. These differences demonstrate that the Epic of Gilgamesh was more of an actual story,

whereas the story of Noah’s Ark was more of a story intended to discipline and proselytize

followers.

Lastly, the story of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Noah’s Ark differ in morality. Whereas

the Epic of Gilgamesh concerned more of vengeful Gods wanting to punish humans, the story of

Noah’s Ark dealt with God wanting to punish all humans because He wanted to teach future

humans lessons on sin. Furthermore, the Epic of Gilgamesh had regretful Gods feeling

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