Gilphash By N. K. Sandars's The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Could hero’s be part god and part human and walk among us? The following two stories about very different characters, will either make beliefs stronger or positively change one's opinions. The story of Gilgamesh as read in The Epic of Gilgamesh by N. K. Sandars was a wise, courageous Sumerian King from 2700 to 2500 B.C. This legend from ancient Mesopotamia was made god and one third human by many gods. Gilgamesh battled many evils in his quest for immortality. Through his quest, he learned to accept his own mortality. Another modern day hero who also seems godlike, who is also wise and courageous is Malala Yousafzai, age 18, of Pakistan. She is a young woman who fights for the right for girls to get an education. After speaking out in 2008

The Taliban said that they targeted her for, “promoting secular education.” (Member of the Tablian). She began wanting to speak for those whose voices could not be heard. She wrote, “The girls were not too excited about vacations because they knew if the Taliban implemented their edict they would not be able to come to school again. I am of the view that the school will one day reopen but while leaving I looked at the building as if I would not come here again.” (Malala Yousafzai). Even after being threatened, shot by the Taliban, and almost dying, she continues her quest for the education of girls in Pakistan and the world. Approximately 8 years after beginning her support of educating girls she has won the Children's Peace Prize in 2011, as well as the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. When she got her Noble Peace Prize award she said, “This award is not just for me. It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change.” (Malala Yousafzai). Like Malala, Gilgamesh left behind immortality for the beast on earth as well as his story carved in stone which will have lasting effects on literature as far into the future. Through her selfless work, peace awards, newly opened schools for girls and

He was created by the gods who gave him courage and, “ terrifying like a great wild bull.” (19). He battled Humbaba in the cedar forest even when warned not to by Enkidu. As Gilgamesh pushed on, “Immolation and sacrifice are not yet for me.” (20). He had a quest to complete, finding immortality, he would not be stopped. He battled many evils much like Malala, not stopping when things were dangerous, in order to complete her quest. At the end of the story, Gilgamesh did not capture immortality, he accidently passed it onto “a beast of the earth who the joy of it now.” (32). After his long journey of battles, friends and enemies he brought his story back to Uruk, where he began and engraved his story on a stone Gilgamesh much like Malala was courageous and brave. Both of them folk god and young Pakistani girl fought evil enemies and created and shared good from their battles, quests and beliefs.

Finally, from these two very different stories of courage and persistence we see that heroes can come in different forms, but still be successful in what they want to get and make a change in the world that can affect many parts of life and spirits. These two heroes unselfishly risked their lives to help other people and beings lives, stand up for rules and equality. They made positive changes through their quests, through battles