Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Beowulf

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The Englsih Dictionary defines a comrade as “a person who shares in one’s activities, occupation, etc; companion, associate, or friend”. In ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’ translated by Benjamin R. Foster and ‘Beowulf’ translated by Seamus Heaney we see this comradship displayed in characters such as Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and Beowulf and his warriors. Gilgamesh and Enkidu work together many times to kill of monsters just as Beowulf and his men do with Grendle. They are willing to take any actions to fight for the person they believe. Comradship in ‘Beowulf’ and ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’ is displayed through characters by their support for one another, actions taken, and the willingness to do something. Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s relationship is the pinacle …show more content…

In tablet VI, Enkidu and Gilgamesh kill the Bull of Heaven as everyone is parading and then Ishtar says, “That bully Gilgamesh who demeaned me, he’s killed the Bull of Heaven! When Enkidu heard what Ishtar said, he tore off the bull’s haunch and flung it at her: If I could vanquish you I’d turn you to this, I’d drape te guts beside you”(151-155). This is one way in which comradship plays out between these two characters. Enkidu hears Ishtar cursing Gilgamesh and as a friend he hulls the bulls thighs at her as a form of “shut up”. Enkidu and Gilgamesh fought together to kill the Bull of Heaven like comrads do. This is supported by their actions. Gilgamesh also tells Enkidu in tablet VI, “I will circle behind the Bull of Heaven, I will grab it by the tuft of its tail,..Then you, like a strong, skillful …show more content…

They both volunteered to kill monsters for their comrads and stand by their side and unfortunetly they both suffered the same fate at the end, death. A comrad is willing to die for their friend, and that is displayed in Enkidu and Wilgaf. They both go into the heart of battle knowing that they may not come back, but do it anyways. Both Wiglaf and Enkidu did things that they didn’t have to, but wanted to for their respective comrads. Enkidu didn’t need to go in to battle Hambaba and neither did Wiglaf need to go to battle the dragon. They did this by choice for the love they have for their

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