The Two Sagas of the Epic of Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

The Two Sagas of Gilgamesh   Western literature has a couple of(prenominal) epics of any real greatness readers can probably name just about of them and count them on their hands with a few fingers left over. Of these, The big of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest. The standard version of the epic grandfathers Homers Iliad and Odyssey by centuries. further what does it mean to call Gilgamesh an epic?  By the standards of Homers outline of an epic, Gilgameshs tale could be seen as two distinctly different, yet drawn together sagas.   in that location is a hero of great national or even universal joint importance in a vast canvas, a setting that whitethorn be the whole world or larger. In the beginning we be introduced to our hero as not only the great king of Uruk, password of the goddess Ninsun and the great king, Lugalbanda, but also a great tyrant who became a hero. From the beginning of his fib this man is destined for a fantastic move that spans the worlds bey ond what any of his peasants can dream to see. We are told that he is more(prenominal) godly than not, yet still must suffer the same draw as all mortals. With destiny set against his mortal, or physical invigoration Gilgamesh must take the journey to the great cedar forest of Lebanon where he will prove his superior strength (and favor from the gods) to the world.   The plot involves battles involving divine deeds or a long, difficult journey while gods or other supernatural beings are interested and involved. Gilgamesh does encounter all of these things. non once, but twice. In the first part of this tale he battles Humbaba, the feared big who protects the trees of the cedar forest. Alongside him is his trusted friend, Enkido. Enkido was made by the gods, an equal of Gilgamesh which they deep-rooted in the wild as a man to grow unfluctuating in the wild of the animals. It is after Enkido has become Gilgameshs friend that he complains of quality weak from civilization , and gives Gilgamesh the idea of conquering something great to reclaim his strength and continue their names. In this task they are also helped by Shamash the god liable for the cedar forest because he takes pity on Gilgameshs mortality. Yet his story does not end at the defeat of Humbaba. Nor does it stop at the overstep of the mighty king of Uruk.