Comparing The Gods In Epic Of Gilgamesh And Oedipus The King

In most mythological stories, the divine play a significant role in the events of the narrative. While the actions of the hero drive the story, the gods are a powerful force that effortlessly refines the narrative. The gods of mythology conclusively control the fate of all mortal characters within stories.They hold complete power over the health of characters, the setting and even the very lives of protagonists. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the story of Oedipus The King both hold exemplary instances of this concept.

In the story of Gilgamesh, gods have a momentous role in the story. Despite their divinity, the Babylonian gods display human-like traits. Their moods and ulterior motives play significant roles in the story. Gilgamesh starts off as a wicked and arrogant king of Uruk. When the people of Uruk plea to the gods for tranquillity from their wicked king, the supernatural interferes for the first time in the story. They create an equaliser that is meant to subdue Gilgamesh; a godlike and hairy man named Enkidu. This interference inadvertently starts the entailing epic. Fate is a major theme in the narrative. Throughout the story, prophecies of the fate of both Ginga and Enkidu drive the narrative. Ginga’s fate was to meet Enkidu and form a detachable brotherly bond. Humbaba curses Enkidu with the fate of death, which is decisively brought upon him by the gods.
When he turns down her advances, she is overcome by disconcertion and rage. Again the supernatural interferes with the story. Ishtar summons the Bull of Heaven to eradicate Uruk and slaughter Gilgamesh. When Enkidu and Gilgamesh defeat the Bull, the supernatural acts upon the story again. The enraged gods take the life of Enkidu, bringing him his eventual