Gilgamesh and Beowulf
There are many different epic tales that have passed down from generation to generation.
Some were verbally passed down and others were transcribed. They were mostly about brave heroes
and teach lessons. The two tales I'm comparing are Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Beowulf the warrior and
Gilgamesh the Wrestler had the stuff that legends were made of. They were fearless leaders who faced
great difficulty with the challenges they had to face. And, as a result of their actions, each one became
kings of powerful nations. Beowulf had the Germanic tribes while Gilgamesh ruled the first great
civilization of the Mesopotamian era. Even though they are very different they still share a lot in
common.
Firstly, I will discuss the similarities. “Why are you afraid of death” (line 1,2) shows how
prideful Gilgamesh actually is. In the movie “Beowulf” he showed pride when he rants and raves about
how he is going to kill Grendel with his bare hands in the nude. In both stories they have foils, and in
both they are friends with them. The line “claims of kinship cannot be denied” (line 358-361) was said
by Wiglaf, Beowulf's close friend. “Enkidu feared his friend was weakening” shows the friendship
between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. In both tales Gilgamesh and Beowulf face horrific monsters. Grendel
the monster Beowulf faces is described as a “sin-stained demon” (line 92). The monster that Gilgamesh
is described as the protector of the ceder tree's hired by the gods.
Secondly, I will talk about there differences. They say that Gilgamesh is 2/3 god and 1/3 human,
but Beowulf is purely human. In Gilgamesh's story he starts off as king from the very beginning where
in the movie “Beowulf” he doesn't become king until after he defeats Grendel's mother. Hrothgar said
“Now this is your burden I am freed....... and since I don't have any heir i'm giving you the crown”
(movie). Beowulf was based in 900 A.D while
Some were verbally passed down and others were transcribed. They were mostly about brave heroes
and teach lessons. The two tales I'm comparing are Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Beowulf the warrior and
Gilgamesh the Wrestler had the stuff that legends were made of. They were fearless leaders who faced
great difficulty with the challenges they had to face. And, as a result of their actions, each one became
kings of powerful nations. Beowulf had the Germanic tribes while Gilgamesh ruled the first great
civilization of the Mesopotamian era. Even though they are very different they still share a lot in
common.
Firstly, I will discuss the similarities. “Why are you afraid of death” (line 1,2) shows how
prideful Gilgamesh actually is. In the movie “Beowulf” he showed pride when he rants and raves about
how he is going to kill Grendel with his bare hands in the nude. In both stories they have foils, and in
both they are friends with them. The line “claims of kinship cannot be denied” (line 358-361) was said
by Wiglaf, Beowulf's close friend. “Enkidu feared his friend was weakening” shows the friendship
between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. In both tales Gilgamesh and Beowulf face horrific monsters. Grendel
the monster Beowulf faces is described as a “sin-stained demon” (line 92). The monster that Gilgamesh
is described as the protector of the ceder tree's hired by the gods.
Secondly, I will talk about there differences. They say that Gilgamesh is 2/3 god and 1/3 human,
but Beowulf is purely human. In Gilgamesh's story he starts off as king from the very beginning where
in the movie “Beowulf” he doesn't become king until after he defeats Grendel's mother. Hrothgar said
“Now this is your burden I am freed....... and since I don't have any heir i'm giving you the crown”
(movie). Beowulf was based in 900 A.D while