Comparison of Two Heroes: Gilgamesh and Odyssey

Epic is presumably amongst the common read literary genres of the current times. One of the main prominent aspects about the early epics is that they represent and competently provide raw code conduct of the communities where they are created. Odysseus and Gilgamesh, for instance, are epic heroes in different times in history. The Gilgamesh epic is developed from ancient Mesopotamia, Odyssey is linked to the early Greece. Gilgamesh the hero is influential in developing the Mesopotamian, attitudes culture and behaviors towards gods (Simpson & Baskin, 1996). On the other hand, Odyssey was in capacity when the mythology was at the peak of every issue of the Greece culture. Nonetheless, the essay will highlight the similarities between Gilgamesh and Odysseus along their heroic qualities, with certain attention on the disparities and similarities. After shortening their influence on the ancient cultures of their respective countries, the essay will propose the cultural principles and potential that will mould the modern perception about role models and heroes.

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Gilgamesh and Odysseys are notable heroes, where their encounters with life help to explain their relative attributes, including their associations with gods. While Homer writes Odyssey, David Ferry interprets Gilgamesh. Both of the literary works display the heroes to bear distinct qualities that are common; they are tough fighters with bodily beauty and bullying tendencies. Additionally, the epic points that they are supernatural and in their daily activities. They undertake to safeguard the common citizens in the radiance of death and universe (Randi, 2010).Throughout their life journeys, both Odysseus and Gilgamesh and depicted as precarious characters, for instance, Odysseus pulls his men from the land of Lotus Eaters while Gilgamesh is termed by his Uruk people as wise shepherd and peoples protector. He seeks the help of sun god, Shamash, in the course of killing Humbaba, a monster who lived in the forest (Ankumah,2014). The death encounters and experiences to confront the gods are events that are attributed primarily in the heroic characters. The success of the epic heroes is determined by their supernatural powers imposed in them. Despite their various disparities and obstacles the epic heroes return to their normal lives.

The examination of the heroic characters, it seems that the early Greek and Mesopotamian people heavily depended on the supernatural and the cosmos. The societies had supernatural heroes who protected the peoples lives and offered them security against monsters and other expected evil powers. To achieve the mandate of safeguarding the people, the heroic figures used intellectual, well-calculated and strategic moves. They would wisely trick the monsters, eat flowers, lotus and get them drunk ahead of killing them, for instance, during the encounter with beast Humbaba, Gilgamesh hits the beast until its lowest. During the challenge of the monsters that threatened the people, Odysseus and Gilgamesh are guided by strong moral goals and qualities (Ankumah, 2014). The two epic heroes preferred to be godlike and showed courage, leadership, faithfulness and brave.

In the early Greece and Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh and Odysseus enacted as role models in their relevant societies. The modern concept of heroes and role models are largely molded by peoples cultural standards and expectations. Simply, this is due to the modern world, people who are in capacities of influence are termed and recognized by the societies during times of solving problems that befall the societies. Political leaders, for instance, stand leading roles in assisting the communities to confront the threats of terrorism, poverty, hunger and floods (Ankumah,2014).

Reference

Ankumah, A. T. (2014). Nomenclatural poetization and globalization. London, Machmillan Pub.

Randi J. (2010). A Comparison Of The Epic Of .Gilgamesh And The Homeric Epics Their Place In History And Literature, W E S 1 E Y A N U N I V E R S I T Y Press.

Simpson, M., & Baskin, L. (1996). Gods and heroes of the Greeks: The library of Apollodorus. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.