Similarities Between Gilgamesh And A Midsummer Night's Dream

Thus far in our world literature class there have been many messages that have depicted the message of love, one of the works we have seen revolving in many different aspects in almost all of the readings. The two that I stood out to me the most was The Epic of Gilgamesh and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The reason why, I have chosen these was due to the fact that in both of there was love, however it expressed in a different way. By that, meaning in The Epic of Gilgamesh it was represented by erotic love between two of the main ‘powerful’ characters. In the other, it was a sense of true love between two of the characters and was more seen between a man and woman physically and with more affection. Although, in both cases they were known to be
love. The depiction of love is portrayed in different ways and it’s a circling theme that helps outline the storyline of what is happening which later on, makes connections with the characters and the story itself. Furthermore, The Epic of Gilgamesh was composed no later than around 600 b.c., however the authors were not known. It was translated to be known now, and it and was on of the most popular readings. In this poem we saw the connection with Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu. That was how the tale reviled and love was beginning to be represented. Gilgamesh was the narrator throughout the whole reading, who depicted the term hero. Going further into the poem, it begins to be expressed more and more. However, in A midsummer Night’s Dream a reading which was writing by William Shakespeare back in the 16th century you saw the depiction of love portrayed in a different aspect.
In this reading it was seen as one main character the held such attractive features was wanted by many different women. Even though both had a theme of love, it was viewed to be different. That is why I had chosen this topic to discus because I find it so interesting in how many different ways it can be shown, especially when you continue reading, you realize how everything unwinds and how different things may actual affect or stand in the way of love. By that I mean, the different challenges that they may face, or how different characters get in the way, which is what was seen in a Midsummer Night’s Dream. I found I so interesting to see how much can change, with different sub points when they begin to
matter. Additionally, to go further into detail about each one of these readings to be able to compare then. The Epic of Gilgamesh, personally to me was actually one of my favorite readings in this class. It uprooted many different volumes of how hate and spite forms into a friendship so strong, that it depicts love. To start of the introduction of Gilgamesh was a King, that everyone worshiped. He held such pure genes it made everyone look up to him, he was known for his strength, beauty, wise, perfectly viewed body where in Uruk he builds walls and created an empire for himself to show his greatness. He was viewed as the hero in his village, especially when taking up a journey to fulfill his promise. He held all the good in the world and nothing seemed to get in his way. However, Endiku was his rival at first. He held such utter jealousy towards Gilgamesh because of that, he envied what he had and took on a great battle to knock him down. Endiku wanted to be known as greatness and have exactly what Gilgamesh had. It is clearly seen how love plays as a theme in the novel. It is one between their friendship how it begins to grow, especially during there journey. Throughout there journey it is seen that they push themselves forward by coming together. An example of this is when, Enkidu makes Gilgamesh see the good in his nightmares to continue to push him to see the positive. After Enkidus death, Gilgamesh also goes through a lot in finding the purpose of life; causing one another to grow. What I find so intriguing by this, it just seems to be that the death of Enkidu causes Gilgamesh to find an inner ‘push’. Meaning that it affected him so much, he didn’t find a way to accept it until he found the question as to what is the purpose of life. He started looking at in such a different perspective. I found love to be the biggest theme in this, but obviously not the type of ‘cuddly/affectionate’ love, but a love between two friends that helped them become a better person. Although, on the other hand you can also find that affectionate love in different novels.
One being, A Midsummer Night’s Dream it showed a love between a man and woman. It was a passionate love however it was turned into more of a comedy. The reason why it was viewed this way, was since the main character that everyone admired, Demetrius. It became confusing when, Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius, and Demetrius loves Hermia instead of Helena—a simple numeric imbalance in which two men love the same woman causing a stir of problems. There was so much going on between all the characters that it was hard to keep up with. This novel portrayed more a natural and affectionate love, where they fought for each others attention and time. It is very traditional in a sense and depicts how love turns out to be which is why I also have picked this novel to
compare. When comparing these two novels, you can see how love plays a role as a theme in both. It is just expressed differently compared the two, moreover, you can see how it affect the characters in the same way and how heartbreak takes a toll to change how you act as a person. In one case, we saw how one character tries to find the meaning of why his friend died and how unfair it was from the friendship they have established, but in the other its more of lovers secretly trying to get their way in being with the one that feels right for them. Thee theme of love in my eyes seemed to be expressed the most out of all the readings we have done in class. Especially since they are expressed by two different definitions, but in the end have the same outcome. All the characters within these novels had a strong connection in which they built up to, it was interesting to see how they will unravel and grow together to get that feeling of love, and change for the better.