Gilgamesh is a protagonist in The Epic of Gilgamesh and Odysseus is the hero/protagonist of Homer’s famous poem, the Odyssey. These two myths originated in different parts of the world, during the period when human civilization was expanding and maturing. For instance, Epic of Gilgamesh was produced around 2000 BC, in the region of Mesopotamia, when Sumerian Civilization was affluent and flourishing. On the other hand, the Odyssey is the creation of Homer, which he produced in modern-day Greece and historians/academics/scholars are of the view that Homer composed Odysseus near the beginning of the 9th century BC (Palermo, 2015).
It is quite evident that these literary works were produced in different settings, which is why they are unique; however, a close study of these literary works suggests that though these works unique; however, there are quite a few similarities. For instance, the protagonists of both poems have a lot in common despite the fact that they are characters of different myths, written during different periods and in different environments/settings.
Mesopotamia is considered the cradle of civilization by historians and academics. In this region, many great civilizations co-existed, which facilitated the growth of one another. It suggests that Mesopotamian sub-civilizations/cultures had many similarities and to an extent, a sub-civilization/culture represented the overall culture of the region. Therefore, Epic of Gilgamesh aids us in understanding not only Sumerian culture and precepts, but also overall Mesopotamian (Roux, 2018).
Ancient Greece is considered the womb of Western Civilization. Its culture and political system influenced the future of Western Europe. Ancient Greek culture promoted certain ideas and values through its literature, which influenced societies and perceptions that succeeded it (Hall, 2017). For instance, the concept of fate, which prevailed during the medieval period in Europe, was constructed largely by ideals and precepts that existed in Greek Literature. Therefore, the association between Ancient Greece’s culture and Western Culture is understandable. However, the similarities between Mesopotamian and Ancient Greece’s culture are surprising. It becomes more apparent from the comparison of the protagonists of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Odysseus.
Gilgamesh is the rightful King of the ancient city of Uruk. He is two-thirds god and one-third human. His strength defines him, and he uses his strength as both strategy and weapon. As he is extremely powerful (superhuman), he seems himself different from the others (his subjects), and this is also the cause of his arrogance. As he is arrogant; therefore, he is ruthless, which causes a lot of pain and grief to his subjects. His attributes are not of a protagonist of contemporary literature. For instance, he is treacherous, he abducts virgins, he lacks sympathy, and he only respects force or strength.
It is quite apparent from his friendship with Enkidu, a being created by Ishtar to engage/rival/punish Gilgamesh. Ishtar also created Enkidu, so that he may take all the attention of Gilgamesh and leave poor people of Uruk alone, who prayed for mercy to Ishtar.
We learn, from the study of the poem, that during that age, women were only considered an object. For instance, Gilgamesh sends a prostitute to Enkidu to humanize him. It suggests that Gilgamesh has a very particular opinion regarding women. Also, his opinion regarding the opposing gender is not limited to mortals. He considers Ishtar treacherous and promiscuous (Villiers, 2005).
Gilgamesh believes that strength is the instrument, with which he can even defeat the gods. For instance, he and Enkidu defeat the Bull of Heavens that Ishtar sends to kill Gilgamesh when he refuses to marry Ishtar.
In a nutshell, Gilgamesh is a powerful being, who is arrogant and desires immortality. His failures reveal that human-part dominates his life. Also, we also learn that a struggle is necessary to realize the objectives.
Like Gilgamesh, Odysseus is a rightful King, who is not only strong but also intellectually brilliant. Also, he is also guile/deceitful/treacherous, who is more concerned about himself and his power. One of his epithets is Odysseus the Cunning, which reflects that protagonist is a typical pre-medieval character of a myth. The story truly starts when Odysseus kills President’s son on his way home. During this period, we truly learn about the attributes of the protagonist, who is cunning and strong. For instance, he comes back to his kingdom in disguise and let his wife organize a tournament for the most suitable suitor. Once they all appear, he kills them.
From the study of the poem, it is evident that Odysseus, who is cunning and strong, is disliked by his people and considered the reason for the deaths many men and young boys, who left to fight with him. (Dougherty, 2001)
Similarities
- Both the protagonists are the rightful king of their kingdoms, and they rule their kingdom in an ugly fashion o manner. For instance, Gilgamesh is ruthless king, whose subject is very annoyed with him and they pray for deliverance from Gilgamesh. Similarly, Odysseus is accused of taking best men to the war in ships, which he lost.
- Both the protagonists have utter disrespect for Gods, and both annoyed them in one way or another. For instance, Ishtar was insulted by Gilgamesh, when revealed that she wanted to marry Gilgamesh. Similarly, Odysseus killed King of Cyclopes, who was the son of Poseidon. It reveals that not only both the protagonists disrespect gods, but also the consequences of disrespect do not deter them.
- Another common attribute, of both the protagonists, is that they both are treacherous. In Homer’s Odyssey, this attribute of the protagonist is not very apparent. However, in the epic of Gilgamesh, it is very apparent. However, we learn that in the Epic of Gilgamesh, gods disliked both treachery and ruthlessness of Gilgamesh.
Differences
- Gilgamesh is presented as an individual with brute strength. In the entire epic, there is no instance, where he demonstrates intelligence. On the other hand, Odysseus demonstrates both cunning and brilliance. In fact, cunnings and brilliance is single subject or attribute in Homer’s Odyssey.
- Gilgamesh respects the opponent and does not shy to develop a bond with the rival. For instance, he becomes a friend of Enkidu, who is created as a rival or nemesis (of Gilgamesh) by Ishtar. On the other hand, Odysseus is very jealous of his contemporaries, which is quite evident from his act of killing all the suitors of Penelope.
- The quest or saga of both the protagonists is also quite different. Gilgamesh looks for immorality, as he learns that brute strength is not enough. On the other hand, Odysseus desires to take revenge for those, who destroyed/ruined his kingdom.
In the end, it is concluded that though, these stories/poems/myths originated in different parts of the world; however, there are very evident similarities in both. For instance, in both stories, the protagonists and gods are portrayed similarly; deceitful and treacherous. Also, we learn that Homer’s work is more developed, which is why Odyssey’s protagonist is more complex and clear in his views. The comparison of both protagonists reveals that human thoughts have developed similarly and the development of understanding has stages. Therefore, despite the fact that these stories/poems/myths originated in different parts of the world, they have a lot in common.
References
Dougherty, C. (2001). The Raft of Odysseus: the ethnographic imagination of Homer’s Odyssey. Oxford University Press.
Hall, A. (2017, December 6). 12 Gifts Ancient Greece Gave To The World. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/20/gifts-from-ancient-greece_n_6152466.html
Palermo, E. (2015, October 2). Lost ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ Verse Depicts Cacophonous Abode of Gods. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/52372-new-tablet-gilgamesh-epic.html
Roux, G. (2018, January 1). The Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Mesopotamia to modern Iraq. Retrieved from http://www.pilotguides.com/articles/the-cradle-of-civilization-ancient-mesopotamia-to-modern-iraq/
Villiers, G. G. (2005). Understanding gilgamesh: His world and his story. Journal for Semitics, 14(1), 165-181.
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