Comparing Gilgamesh And Achilles
Comparison of Gilgamesh and Achilles In The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Iliad, Gilgamesh and Achilles carry the burden of being powerful heroes and assume the leadership roles that follow. We see both characters make selfish decisions, experience the effects of companionship, and undergo moral change throughout their journeys. Tracing their decisions shows how they change, and more importantly exhibits what drives their change. Gilgamesh’s main internal struggle is rooted in the well being of the people of Uruk versus the well being of himself. Gilgamesh’s practice of prima nocte and lack of compassion for his people inspires resentment from the public of Uruk. Without the support of his people, he rules Uruk for the sole benefit …show more content…
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh crosses paths with Enkidu, a perfect man created by the gods. Enkidu spurs the process of changing Gilgamesh for the better by providing him with a valuable friendship that teaches him the benefits of caring about others. Achilles experiences the effects of companionship in a different context. When Patroclus goes to Achilles to use his armor to impersonate him in an effort to turn the tide of battle it effects Achilles emotionally. Patroclus is slain on the battlefield which eventually inspires Achilles to rejoin his fellow soldiers. The friendship of Patroclus shifts the mindset of Achilles similarly to how Enkidu’s friendship allows Gilgamesh to become a better king. Throughout both epics we see shifts from selfishness to selflessness. For Gilgamesh it is a more gradient shift towards benevolence, even though some events cause rapid changes of heart, such as slaying Humbaba and providing resources for Uruk. Achilles’s shift is much more abrupt, yet not as deep or meaningful. When he steps on the battlefield for the first time since abstaining he is not only doing it for Patroclus, but also his
Gilgamesh Vs Enkidu Analysis
1002 Words | 5 PagesEnkidu was chivalrous and cared for the well-being of the people, as did Gilgamesh, he just went about showing it in the wrong ways. Enkidu’s friendship made Gilgamesh a new man ultimately and a better king. The fact that we were the same yet so different makes the story more
Differences Between Gilgamesh And Achilles
119 Words | 1 PagesGilgamesh was looking for immortality while Achilles wanted glory and fame. Although they both went through similar ordeals they dealt with in different ways. Each man was considered a heroic to their cultures for different reason. We can tell a lot about the priorities and values of Gilgamesh’s and Achilles’ cultures through their heroic actions. It somewhat proved an answer to the way they did things and why
Examples Of Achilles's Tragic Flaws
860 Words | 4 PagesIt is described that “Achilles’ anger, doomed and ruinous,/that caused Achaeans loss on bitter loss/and crowded brave souls into the undergloom…” (Homer 229). Achilles’ rage would ultimately lead to unnecessary and needless death on the side of the Greeks, extending the bloody conflict significantly. His ire is drawn by Agamemnon when he wounds his pride; Agamemnon demanded that Achilles give up his prize - a woman who he had captured - and thus he withdrew from fighting. Later, when he shifts his anger towards the Trojan hero, Hector, he becomes so maddened with rage that he forgoes any sense of honor that he once had.
Achilles Changes In The Iliad
491 Words | 2 PagesThe Iliad is primarily about how the war is affected because of Achilles anger. Achilles character does not precisely change but grows from what it was at the beginning of the fifty-one days. A characteristic that stays constant throughout the fifty-one days is, Achilles lets his emotion drive him into making blind a reckless decisions. A characteristic that develops throughout the book is Achilles sense of consequence(book 15-390 18).
Essay On Achilles In The Iliad
1051 Words | 5 PagesIn Homer’s The Iliad, epic hero Achilles serves as an example of how rage, when unchecked, leads to disastrous repercussions. Achilles, though nearly superhuman in his physical abilities, struggles repeatedly to contain his anger. Throughout The Iliad, as Achilles’ fury compounds, the consequences of his actions become catastrophic, eventually leading to the death of his best friend, Patroclus. Although Achilles ultimately chooses to avenge Patroclus’ death and achieve his own kleos, or honor, his rage-driven actions lead to the death of many Achaean soldiers, and change the course of his fate.
Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Achilles
961 Words | 4 PagesIn the epic, within which many episodes are interlinked, depicts an image of a kind who underwent development and tends to understand the world where he was living. Within the version of the Babylonian, hero Gilgamesh 's character is best compared to Achilles. While comparing the characters of Achilles and Gilgamesh, he (Gilgamesh) changed and his nature was affected duet the presence and absence (loss) of Enid his comrade, thus the nature of Enkidu was static. Achilles ' nature and character followed the same pattern as that of Gilgamesh as he was also influenced by the presence and loss of Patroclus his comrade.
Gilgamesh: An Epic Hero
394 Words | 2 PagesGilgamesh is a powerful yet emotional king. Gilgamesh shows his weak side by saying “I have wept for him day and night…” After this he remains an epic hero in my opinion. The text states he went on a great dangerous journey and survived and killed the guard of The Cedar
Achilles Speech In The Iliad
977 Words | 4 PagesIn the Iliad, Achilles is responding to Odysseus’s speech attempting to convince him to return to the war. Achilles’ main argument against returning is his incalculable rage against Agamemnon for “the prize of honor / The warlord Agamemnon gave me / And in his insulting arrogance took back” which is not only an insult to Achilles’ status, but also to his honor as a warrior (Il. 9.378-379). In addition to focusing on the main argument of Achilles’ speech, it is worth noting the contradictions present within his speech as well.
The Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad
1570 Words | 7 PagesNow I must go to look for the destroyer of my great friend. I shall confront the dark dear spirit of death at any hour Zeus and the other gods may wish to make an end (Q 65-68). Here, Achilles shows fearlessness and audacity in his acceptance of death. However, he accepted his fate, to avenge the killer of his friend Patroclus.
Theme Of Hospitality In The Iliad
448 Words | 2 PagesIf Achilles was angry but not hospitable the scene would have played out much differently. When Achilles is angry but not hospitable, like in the original fight between him and Agamemnon which
Compare And Contrast Gilgamesh And Achilles
891 Words | 4 PagesAs long as a villain exists in a story, there will always be a heroine. So, you might ask, how exactly is a heroine defined by people? A hero according to the English dictionary is someone who possesses a courageous and honorable spirit, but also a person who has attributes, abilities, or unique characteristics that make individuals look up to them. With this in mind, throughout the many epics we have read so far, there have been several heroines such as Gilgamesh, Rama, Sita, Achilles, and Hector, but Gilgamesh and Achilles are the two characters in these epics that are extremely alike and different in so many ways. In particular, Gilgamesh and Achilles were both prideful and full of themselves alike in that matter, but they both were different in affluent power and overwhelming strength, which made them a heroine to fellow humans because of their superhuman abilities, high personal relationships, and great influence over people.
Enkidu's Friendship In The Epic Of Gilgamesh
427 Words | 2 PagesFriendship is one of important part in our lives. Most of the time, a good friend knows you better than yourself. There are many meanings that relay to being a good friend, especially because everyone does not have the same personality. Similarly, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, we can perceive several relationships, but the one between Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s friendship plays an important part of the story.
Similarities Between Gilgamesh And The Iliad
1519 Words | 7 PagesThey also have similarities in their personal life. As they do not give importance to family life and any romantic relationships. But they give importance to friendship because Gilgamesh mourns for Enkidu after his death. Similarly Achilles also feel bad for Patroclus death. “Priam huddled at Achilles’ feet aloud for Hector, and Achilles wept for his father, and then again or Patroclus”.
Compare And Contrast The Epic Of Gilgamesh
991 Words | 4 PagesEnkidu’s friendship makes Gilgamesh calm and helps him to become a better king. Throughout the epic, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kiss and hug each other frequently. After conflicts between the two, they kissed and formed friendship. But Gilgamesh is never seen sleeping with a woman after conflict, and he even rejected Ishtar, the principal goddess of Uruk. “Come, Gilgamesh, be you my bridegroom!
The Characteristics Of Achilles: The Hero Of Iliad
1512 Words | 7 PagesIliad is recognized as one of the most famous ancient monuments of literature. The full understanding of this epic poem is hardly possible without thorough analysis of its main characters. Among all the episodes of the Trojan War, Homer chooses the moment of Achilles’ wrath and thus creates a poem in which he becomes the central figure. From the Ancient Greeks’ point of view, Achilles represents the ideal of manliness and pure heroism, for he is brave and fights for heroics, not profits. Today, one can agree with this interpretation, yet Achilles is probably the most controversial character because he combines various personality traits and acts in accordance with his ambiguous nature.
More about Comparing Gilgamesh And Achilles
Gilgamesh Vs Enkidu Analysis
1002 Words | 5 PagesDifferences Between Gilgamesh And Achilles
119 Words | 1 PagesExamples Of Achilles's Tragic Flaws
860 Words | 4 PagesAchilles Changes In The Iliad
491 Words | 2 PagesEssay On Achilles In The Iliad
1051 Words | 5 PagesSimilarities Between Gilgamesh And Achilles
961 Words | 4 PagesGilgamesh: An Epic Hero
394 Words | 2 PagesAchilles Speech In The Iliad
977 Words | 4 PagesThe Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad
1570 Words | 7 PagesTheme Of Hospitality In The Iliad
448 Words | 2 PagesCompare And Contrast Gilgamesh And Achilles
891 Words | 4 PagesEnkidu's Friendship In The Epic Of Gilgamesh
427 Words | 2 PagesSimilarities Between Gilgamesh And The Iliad
1519 Words | 7 PagesCompare And Contrast The Epic Of Gilgamesh
991 Words | 4 PagesThe Characteristics Of Achilles: The Hero Of Iliad
1512 Words | 7 Pages