Comparing the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Iliad...

The Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion. (IX,385-88) Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetrys greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. Eventually, these stories were written down and read aloud to an audience. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh was composed approximately fifteen hundred years prior to the Iliad, the heroes of both epics possess strikingly similar characteristics. Indeed,†¦show more content†¦His friend Enkidu expresses this when he states, Your strength surpasses the strength of men. (20). Achilles, on the other hand, is a famous warrior, feared by many, who the Achaians depend on to win the war. Even his enemy, Agamemnon, recognizes Achilles strength when he declares, That man is worth an entire army, / the fighter Zeus holds dear with all his heart -- (IX, 141-42). Although they are each strong, courageous and favorite sons of the gods, Gilgamesh and Achilles share the same tragic flaw: overweening pride. Gilgamesh must prove his strength and superiority by being first with the women and by physically overpowering the men. The elders of his kingdom suggest that he is unbearable when they mutter, His arrogance has no bounds by day or night (14). And Achilles anger at Agamemnon and his hurt pride only serve to escalate the conflict during the Trojan War. Due to Agamemnons mistreatment of him, Achilles refuses to fight stating, I swear, a yearning for Achilles will strike / Achaeas sons and all your armies! . . . Then-- / then you will tear your heart out, desperate, raging/ that you disgraced the best of the Achaeans (I, 281-87). Another quality that the two heroes share -- and that softens their strong characters -- is loyalty to a friend. Gilgamesh is so embittered by the death of his friend Enkidu that he risks his life crossing over the waters of death in an attempt to bring Enkidu