At an early point in history, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the story of Genesis were two texts that set the framework of the entire world. They were two epics that established the foundations of religion, literature, and all other standards that were followed by every category of people. Both texts entice the audience through antique language, and the stories of epic heroes and immortal gods. Sin-Leqi-Unninni and the many writers of the Bible use love as their central theme, yet it unfolds as having distinguishing effects on all characters throughout both texts. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the author conveys love as a motivational factor for helping Gilgamesh and other characters transition into better individuals, whereas in the Old Testament, individuals do harm upon others in the name of love in order to follow what is morally correct based on the religious standard.
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Sin-Leqi Unninni does a magnificent job in conveying how all figures are inspired by the act of love. Enkindu is evidence of someone being manipulated and easily convinced by love. His love for the temple prostitute leads him to fall for the temptations that Uruk provides, and instigates his first experience of initial hate for Gilgamesh. Despite striking him with a feeling of hate, the love for the temple prostitute gives Enkindu the willpower to walk into Uruk and challenge Gilgamesh for power over the town. After competing on the Uruk battleground, the two gigantic men forget their desire for power but rather get entangled in a twisted erotic love. It is through their love that they aspire to beat Humbaba, god of the cedar forest. Enkindu provokes Gilgamesh to transition from a selfish and power-driven figure, to a more enlighten...
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...nother as did Jacob and his brother Esau along with Joseph and his brothers. Enkindu and Gilgamesh embraced the stench of competition to bring them closer rather than draw them apart as did the figures in the bible.
Despite being written in the same proximity of time, The Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis of the Old Testament are based on the same ideas but are distinguishing in their overall morals. The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays love as a force that brings loved ones closer together in order to overcome the power of immortal gods, whereas, Genesis portrays love as not a strength, but rather a weakness that sets loved ones apart because of an immortal god influencing them. Sin Leqi Unninni is an advocate of love contributing to the good of individuals where the authors of the Bible are more influenced by religion, even if it means overlooking the love for others.
True love and immortality in life would be a dream come true to many people. To spend time with a special someone; the person one feels closest to; the so-called soul mate and to never have that high feeling of emotion end mentally and physically would greatly appeal to most people. But when death steps into the picture, even with all the pain and devastation, one starts to re-evaluate themselves and realizes the important things in life and puts it all into perspective. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the main character, Gilgamesh, is a powerful, arrogant king and part god. Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s partner, is animal-like but later takes on more humanistic traits such as his contemplation’s of death. The friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is a very powerful, loving friendship. Enkidu is Gilgamesh’s soul mate, not only acting as his friend but as a lover too. Enkidu’s presence in Gilgamesh’s life allows Gilgamesh to see what is truly good in life and to accept his mortality much easier.
The theme in Gilgamesh, Genesis and Sur 11 are comparably the same in that the people in each story were with sin and wickedness. In all three literatures, the people in the beginning were mean and sinful. The people in the Epic of Gilgamesh were evil and when Gilgamesh came to power he did not known what to since it was his first time beinging king. So, he would rule in a stern way to keep the people from sin. On Genesis God wanted to flood the Earth from the people who were sinful. God asked Noah to build an ark and to take his family and two of each animal.
...e Hebrew religious text of genesis when Adam and Eve learn of temptation or original sin. The actual wrath of Ate appears physical in both texts. In the Greek text Agamemnon “evil heart” is mentioned. Genesis shows the repercussions of Ate as naked bodies. The Greek text shows the body with little or no unity, while the Hebrew text depicts the body as, a whole. The presence of Ate in each text is for different reasons. The Iliad show the importance of honor and Genesis shows the importance of faith. The great power of Ate arises in different situations in the two texts due to the purpose of the text and the culture in which it was written. In both we see that this force is to be harnessed. This lesson of controlling anger, blind rage, and delusion is relevant in all cultures. The presence of religion and government in today’s culture attempts to harness this Ate.
The tale of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamia poem that is considered to be the oldest surviving piece of literature. It is an epic tale about a demigod known as Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, and his close friend, Enkidu, a wild man who was originally created by the gods to fight against Gilgamesh and to stop him from mistreating the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are depicted as strong and powerful male characters who go on epic journeys, face great battles, and suffer great hardships. Their epic tale and characteristics can be seen as in-depth and admirable, and this creates an interesting tale to be read, but the tale is mainly male-centric and the females depicted in it, are hard to find admirable
Enkido’s arrival in The Epic of Gilgamesh forces Gilgamesh to reconsider his immaturity. Gilgamesh is introduced as “tall, magnificent and terrible” and as one “who crossed the ocean” (George i.37-40). As a “wild bull on rampage”, Gilgamesh’s tyrannical kingship is not challenged until an observer notices Enkido, a beast that “fills in the pits that I myself dig” and “stops me doing the work of the wild” (George i.30, 130-133). Because Enkido, “sets free” all the “beasts of the field”, he is presented as a wild creature that can “fill the pit” Gilgamesh digs and stop him from being a “wild bull on rampage” (George i.130-133). Later, Enkido is referred to as “the child of nature, the savage man from the midst of the wild”, conveying that his ‘savage’ origins (nature) are essential to clear civilization’s harmful influence on Gilgamesh (George i.178-179). While Enkido represents nature’s weapon to combat civilization’s mishaps, Enkido also portrays that even his pure soul is vulnerable to “Confusion, Gaiety, and Pride” and “Lust, Delight, and Thirst” (Cowell xiii.3). By seducing the “child of nature” and doing “for man the work of a woman”, Shamhat (or “Lust”) corrupts Enkido’s purity. “When wit...
Most of the differences between these two influential pieces of literature are superficial details. Christian followers have denied their admiration for The Flood of Gilgamesh, because of its insensitivity and polytheistic beliefs. However, in order for a culture to develop and evolve, it must take influence from others of the past. This is inevitably why the two stories are so similar, although have differences within the broad category. The only way to truly differentiate them was to alter minor details, only with the intention of providing proof of originality to the Genesis. Regardless, both pieces of literature have been vital sources to cultural, religious and philosophical aspects of life development.
Karahashi, Fumi and Carolina Lopez-Ruiz. “Love Rejected: Some Notes on the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh and the Greek Myth of Hippolytus.” Journal of Cuneiform Studies 58 (2006): 97-107. JSTOR. Web. 28 Feb 2014.
The ancient Mesopotamian writing, The Epic of Gilgamesh, gives readers insight into the traditions and customs of the people who wrote it. Like all epics, The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of a heroic national figure: this epic gives the story of the life of Gilgamesh from his birth as two-thirds god, one-third man to his death. Throughout the epic the importance of loyalty is addressed. In The Epic of Gilgamesh readers see that loyalty is the most important aspect of a Mesopotamian relationship and that there are always consequences for violating trust.
In the epic of Gilgamesh the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is very complex and necessary. Their friendship brings animal, human, and god together. Gilgamesh is changed by his friendship with Enkidu. He becomes a better person and a better ruler because of Enkidu. Enkidu’s life is enriched because of his friendship with Gilgamesh. Enkidu was created to balance out Gilgamesh, and he accomplishes this goal. The two men are very close, and love each other deeply. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu benefit from their friendship.
The “Epic of Gilgamesh” is a historic story of the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. The story portrays the short lived friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The story begins as Shamat the prostitute seduces Enkidu and convinces him to go to the city of Uruk and meet Gilgamesh. From that moment on, the two were very close. They planned a trip to the forest of cedars to defeat the monster known as Humbaba so that Gilgamesh could show his power to the citizens of Uruk. However, Enkidu tried vainly to dissuade Gilgamesh in going to the forest. Despite Enkidu’s plead, the two continued on their adventure to the forest where Humbaba lives. Once they arrived, they found the monster and killed him.
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.
As human beings, we are designed to belive in something. Although the belief in a higher power or religion is diverse, many theologies share common themes. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and the Hebrew book of “Genesis” are seemingly polar opposites. Christianity, demonstrated in Genesis, is monotheistic, and the Hebrews base their faith on their relationship with God. On the other hand, Sumerian philosophy, found in Gilgamesh, is polytheistic, and the Sumerian people base their theology on fear. Ancient polytheistic literature forms an archetypical pattern of the mortals trying desperately to please the gods. A mortal’s entire existence rests in the hands of the sometimes childish gods. In spite of this, these two stories
Perhaps one of the main reasons the Epic of Gilgamesh is so popular and has lasted such a long time, is because it offers insight into the human concerns of people four thousand years ago, many of which are still relevant today. Some of these human concerns found in the book that are still applicable today include: the fear and concerns people have in relation to death, overwhelming desires to be immortal, and the impact a friendship has on a person’s life. It does not take a great deal of insight into The Epic of Gilgamesh for a person to locate these themes in the story, and even less introspection to relate to them.
Gilgamesh is an epic of great love, followed by lingering grief that causes a significant change in character. It is the story of a person who is feared and honored, a person who loves and hates, a person who wins and loses and a person who lives life. Gilgamesh's journey is larger than life, yet ends so commonly with death. Through Gilgamesh, the fate of mankind is revealed, and the inevitable factor of change is expressed.
The epic begins with Gilgamesh terrorizing the people of Uruk. They call out to the sky god Anu for help. In response Anu tells the goddess of creation, Aruru, to make an equal for Gilgamesh. Thus Aruru created Enkidu, a brute with the strength of dozens of wild animals. After being seduced by a harlot from the temple of love in Uruk, Enkidu loses his strength and wildness yet gains wisdom and understanding. The harlot offers to take him into Uruk where Gilgamesh lives, the only man worthy of Enkidu's friendship. After a brief brawl the two become devoted friends.