The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad - 1412 Words

Oral stories often establish comprehensive guidelines of how to live honorably. Specifically, they exemplify the actions of heroes who value pietas: an unwavering loyalty to one’s boss, state, and family. Characters adhering to it reap physical and spiritual benefits; those that do not are punished accordingly. This relationship is clearly evident in the ancient Sumerian epic poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Iliad, and Virgil’s ancient Roman epic poem, The Aeneid. This paper will argue that these texts show that honor is attainable only through pietas. It will conclude that complete commitment to pietas ultimately promotes personal growth through the renouncement of earthly desires. The Epic of Gilgamesh†¦show more content†¦As a mortal, Gilgamesh’s presence is a perverse show of disrespect to the gods in itself- a point made clear by each deity he encounters. To then slaughter animals for personal gain (i.e. food when he should be fasting) and not as holy offerings- like during previous quests- is absolute sacrilege. Thus, it is no coincidence that the water serpent seizes the eternal life-granting flower from Gilgamesh’s grasp at the last second (31); rather, it is a deliberate omen intended to teach him humility and understand his destiny. Afterwards, Gilgamesh displays consideration for Ur’s subjects, which is why the gods pardon his transgressions and permit his return to the living. Eventually, Gilgamesh becomes an accomplished and revered king, earning one last reward for his piety- his legacy lives on through oral tradition and song (33-34). The Iliad, starkly contrasts the fortune that accompanies pious behavior to the misfortune of those who reject it. As son of King Priam, Paris has a direct responsibility to protect the people and act as a mediator to appease the gods; instead, he avoids conflict by hiding from Menelaus at the palace in Troy (Lombardo 45-50). This neglect is especially hurtful because the war occurs after he seduces and subsequently steals Helen, wife of the Greek king Menelaus. It isShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad1546 Words   |  7 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad are two extremely different stories, The Iliad being a tale of war (specifically the Trojan War) while the Epic of Gilgamesh is a true Epic in the sense that it is a journey, all about the development of the characters. While there are many different themes throughout both books, one of the most important themes is the way that friendship develops both of the people involved and the way that it ties into the story overall. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu and GilgameshRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad1183 Words   |  5 PagesIn the epics The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad, heroes Achilles and Gilgamesh have important relationships with characters that directly and indirectly give readers a look at the character we might not normally see. For the mighty demi-god Achilles, this is the warrior Patroclus, whom he has a great respect for. For the tyrannical King Gilgamesh, this was Enkidu, the hairy man sent by the gods. The relationships that these characters have with their companions open these characters up for readersRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad2165 Words   |  9 PagesInstructors’ Name Course Name Date Gilgamesh and Achilles as Portrayed in the Writings â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† and â€Å"The Iliad† â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† and â€Å"The Iliad† presented conflict between the ancient kings, the gods, and finest warriors with other ordinary community members. Throughout the writings Gilgamesh, the king of Uru Community, and Achilles, one of the greatest Greek warriors, struggled to resolve the conflicts between the gods and their community members. However, Gilgamesh misused his powers to a pointRead MoreThe Iliad, Odyssey, And Epic Of Gilgamesh1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iliad, Odyssey, and Epic of Gilgamesh all demonstrate the transformational process of their respective epic heroes through their strengths and weaknesses. Epic heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Gilgamesh all possessed superior qualities that separated them from other individuals. Although their incredible abilities may support the societal perception of strong leadership, their weaknesses caused these characters to hold vices that went against the cultural expectations of what a strong leaderRead MoreComparing The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad2049 Words   |  9 PagesCharacter relationship simil arities and differences in The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad: In The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad, heroes Achilles and Gilgamesh have important relationships with characters that directly and indirectly give readers a look at the character we may not normally see. For the mighty demi-god Achilles, the person who aids in revealing his feelings is the warrior, Patroclus. Patroclus is a warrior who Achilles has a great respect for, and his eventual death sends him intoRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad Essay1397 Words   |  6 PagesThe destiny in Gilgamesh and The Iliad stories are believed to be a power that controls what happens in the future. The story of Gilgamesh and the Iliad destinies are moderately the same in significance of the conflicts and the ways of life both of the stories focused on a significant deaths. The Iliad and Gilgamesh is a remarkable reminder of the way life is in the present, but also how it is a little different. Both stories are similar in goals and destinies and how it affect the main charactersRead Mor e Comparing the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Iliad Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesThe Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad    One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion. (IX,385-88) Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetrys greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. EventuallyRead MoreWomen Of The Ancient Greek Work, The Iliad And The Mesopotamian Epic Of Gilgamesh2549 Words   |  11 Pageswomen were considered inferior creature dependent on their male guardians throughout life. Historic accounts and epics of specific periods describe the role assigned to genders in those societies. This paper talks about the role of women presented in the ancient Greek work, the Iliad by Homer and the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh by anonymous author. Women role in the Iliad Homer’s Iliad contains an array of female characters that are both supernatural and human. The supernatural females or goddessesRead MoreGilgamesh, the Illiad, the Aeneid1661 Words   |  7 PagesAnglo-Saxon era in history, long narrative poems, known as epics become all the rage. These poems were written in elevated styles that presented the adventures of a hero with superhuman qualities who embodied the national ideals. These ideals and adventures were presented through elements such as dreams, courage allowing the hero to overcome great trials, and a major battle scene. These elements, known as epic conventions, created epics that to this day continue to be read and taught throughoutRead MoreSimilarities Between Paradise Lost And Paradise Lost1239 Words   |  5 PagesParadise Lost comparison to three epics of antiquity There are many ways to compare and contrast Paradise Lost with the three other epics of antiquity. The epics are Paradise Lost, Aeneid, The Epic Gilgamesh, and The Iliad. The most obvious difference is era. Paradise Lost is an epic poem from the 17th century and is written in blank verse which is the most modern phrasing method. According to an article on Enotes, out of the other three epics, the Iliad and Aeneid came from the same dactyllic