Lifechanging Journey

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The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are epic stories from ancient history that deal with the struggle and triumph of an epic hero. Gilgamesh and Odysseus, deal with many obstacles while on a quest for self-discovery or of some sort of goal. Gilgamesh was developed in early Mesopotamia and the Odyssey came about in early Greece. These epics reveal much about the area from which they originated. These two characters have many similarities such as their determination, their heroism, and their desires. Although these heroes are similar, the reason they set out on their journeys set them apart.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by David Ferry, is the greatest work of ancient Mesopotamia. The story deals with Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality and how it helped him understand what it means to be human. From the time he was born he was singled out because he was two-third divine and one-third mankind. He was perfect and height and ideally handsome (“The Epic of Gilgamesh” 101). Gilgamesh was endowed with immense strength and was the ultimate protector of his people. He was very powerful but didn’t use his power in a respectable manner. “He was harrying the young men of Uruk beyond reason. Gilgamesh would leave no soon to his father. Day and night he would rampage fiercely. Gilgamesh would leave no girl to her mother! The warrior’s daughter, the young man’s spouse…” (“The Epic of Gilgamesh”101). Gilgamesh would rape the women of his city not caring if they belonged to noble men or to his warriors. He felt as if he could do what he wanted because of his status as king. His wicked ways led his people to ask the Gods to tame his wild spirit and ego. Because of his ways and of the peoples begging cries, Enkidu was c...

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...e had no way of escaping since all his men were home already. He was the reason his men got away. “I tied them together with twisted withies… I tied them in threes, with a man under the middle one, while the two others protected them on each side.” (The Odyssey, pg. 108). Although he was left alone, he was very patient and because of this he kept his mind on the prize. The prize was returning home to his family. When Odysseus was giving the opportunity to return home, he had to deal with a hardship while swimming. He swam for three days and grew tired but didn’t give up. “All his body was swollen, and the salt bubbled from his mouth and nostrils; breathless and voiceless he lay in a faint, and awful weariness overcame him.” (The Odyssey pg. 71) When he got home he had to disguise himself as a beggar until it was safe for him to reveal himself to someone he trusted.

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