Gilgamesh
After reading the summary of Gilgamesh I started comparing Gilgamesh to other heroes that I’ve read about. I noticed that Gilgamesh and William Shakespeare’s character Macbeth have many similarities. Neither of them are the typical hero that should be idolized. First off, Gilgamesh is a king and Macbeth is a general who later becomes king. They both are unfit to be ruling. Gilgamesh is easily pressured by the ways of Enkidu. Enkidu was “as magnificent as Gilgamesh” (1) but yet he seems to surpass Gilgamesh in ranking, by commanding him to kill Humbaba.
Macbeth used the murder of Duncan to get the throne. He originally could not force himself to do it. It was the influence of Lady Macbeth, “when you durst do it, then you were a man.” (1.7.56). She is the one who achieved the throne for him. Besides being easily influenced by others, these two men have more faults. I was under the belief that heroes should be courageous and self-sufficient. This clearly isn’t the case here because Gilgamesh is dependent upon Enkidu and Macbeth was dependent on Lady Macbeth. Both men appear to be strong rulers when they’re actually weak. Gilgamesh starts running the streets “raping any woman who struck his fancy” (1). A good leader would never do such things. Macbeth appears to be powerful but, doesn’t actually have the skills to rule, and this is evident by the way he allows Lady Macbeth to control him. In conclusion, Gilgamesh and Macbeth have many connections. They are in power but cannot stand on their own and fully take on the responsibilities of being a leader.
Macbeth used the murder of Duncan to get the throne. He originally could not force himself to do it. It was the influence of Lady Macbeth, “when you durst do it, then you were a man.” (1.7.56). She is the one who achieved the throne for him. Besides being easily influenced by others, these two men have more faults. I was under the belief that heroes should be courageous and self-sufficient. This clearly isn’t the case here because Gilgamesh is dependent upon Enkidu and Macbeth was dependent on Lady Macbeth. Both men appear to be strong rulers when they’re actually weak. Gilgamesh starts running the streets “raping any woman who struck his fancy” (1). A good leader would never do such things. Macbeth appears to be powerful but, doesn’t actually have the skills to rule, and this is evident by the way he allows Lady Macbeth to control him. In conclusion, Gilgamesh and Macbeth have many connections. They are in power but cannot stand on their own and fully take on the responsibilities of being a leader.