The Odyssey vs. Enkidu's Dream
"Look death in the face with joyful hope, and consider this a lasting truth: the
righteous man has nothing to fear, neither in life, nor in death, and the Gods will not
forsake him."-Socrates, a Greek philosopher and contemplative thinker. The above quote
is the basis for Greek belief, demonstrating the respectable Greek citizen. It displays
courage and obedience to the Gods in which the Greek world revolved around. Beyond
relaying a fantastic journey, featuring a glorified hero who embodies to perfection Greek
ideals, Homer uses the epic books of The Odyssey to explore all the nuances of Greek
culture. Each part of The Odyssey possesses a purpose beyond detailing popular
mythology. Book Eleven's Underworld becomes the culmination of all the values and
ideals that Homer touches on in prior books. Homer uses the underworld as a catchall to
reinforce societal protocol and religion among other things. Specifically, by focusing on
the scenery of the Underworld and its occupants, Homer reveals and reinforces the role
of religion in society especially in conjunction with fate and the idea of death and
rebirth.
In parallel, "the tavern-keeper offered Gilgamesh her insights on the true goal of
life, which is not to escape death, but to enjoy the normal pleasures of life; " Gilgamesh,
where are you wandering? The life that you are seeking all around you will not find.
When the gods created mankind they fixed Death for mankind, and held back Life in
their own hands. Now you, Gilgamesh, let your belly be full! Be happy day and night, of
each day make a party, dance in circles day and night! Let your clothes be sparkling
clean, let your head be clean, wash yourself with water! Attend to the little one who
holds onto your hand, let a wife delight in your embrace. This is the task of mankind."
The Odyssey seems to present a much more elaborate description of the
underworld than
righteous man has nothing to fear, neither in life, nor in death, and the Gods will not
forsake him."-Socrates, a Greek philosopher and contemplative thinker. The above quote
is the basis for Greek belief, demonstrating the respectable Greek citizen. It displays
courage and obedience to the Gods in which the Greek world revolved around. Beyond
relaying a fantastic journey, featuring a glorified hero who embodies to perfection Greek
ideals, Homer uses the epic books of The Odyssey to explore all the nuances of Greek
culture. Each part of The Odyssey possesses a purpose beyond detailing popular
mythology. Book Eleven's Underworld becomes the culmination of all the values and
ideals that Homer touches on in prior books. Homer uses the underworld as a catchall to
reinforce societal protocol and religion among other things. Specifically, by focusing on
the scenery of the Underworld and its occupants, Homer reveals and reinforces the role
of religion in society especially in conjunction with fate and the idea of death and
rebirth.
In parallel, "the tavern-keeper offered Gilgamesh her insights on the true goal of
life, which is not to escape death, but to enjoy the normal pleasures of life; " Gilgamesh,
where are you wandering? The life that you are seeking all around you will not find.
When the gods created mankind they fixed Death for mankind, and held back Life in
their own hands. Now you, Gilgamesh, let your belly be full! Be happy day and night, of
each day make a party, dance in circles day and night! Let your clothes be sparkling
clean, let your head be clean, wash yourself with water! Attend to the little one who
holds onto your hand, let a wife delight in your embrace. This is the task of mankind."
The Odyssey seems to present a much more elaborate description of the
underworld than