Creation Myths similarities and differences
There are a number of profound similarities and differences betweencreation myths contained in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Hesiod's Theogony,Plato's Symposium, and the biblical book of Genesis. The similaritiesbetween these works may reflect a great similarity between human kind,while differences can reflect cultural understandings and interpretationsof the outside world. Ultimately, however, the very fact that creationstories such as these have been created at such different times and indifferent situations reveals the human desire to understand the origin of The Epic of Gilgamesh, like the other creation stories, explores thetheme of the search for everlasting life. Gilgamesh, a superhuman beingwho is part God, must deal with his mortality, despite his many powers. Helaments, "There is no permanence" (106), and wonders "How shall I find thelife for which I am searching'" He visits the one human who has beengranted eternal life by the Gods, Utnapishtim, and there learns of thestory of the flood, and receives knowledge of a plant that restores youth. It is within this story that there are some significant similarities
In Hesiod's Theogony, the father's hatred of his children theearth and sky is similar. Despise property and keep the soul alive. Gilgamesh journeys to the ocean and finds the magical plantdescribed by Utnapishtim, but does not trust that it will work, and decidesto test it. Alternatively, these differences may simplyreflect a difference in the interpretation of the stories from without theculture. However, the biblical book of Genesis is unique in that it is the only oneof these works to refer to a single God that creates the world. In Symposium, Plato argues that there wereoriginally three sexes, man, woman, and the hermaphrodite. Gilgamesh learns from the wide immortal human Utnapishtim the storyof the flood. The description of thebuilding of the ship by Utnapishtim is similar to the building of Noah'sarc: "Tear down (this) house, build a ship! Give up possessions, seek thoulife. Further, these similarities may reflect a great deal about theconnectedness of human kind. However, fanciful these seem to the modern world,Gleiser notes that humans are inherently charged with a great difficulty inlearning about the larger universe. Thesexes were not two as they are now, but originally three in number; therewas man, woman, and the union of the two. Unlike the Bible, Theogony describes creation from a void ofnothingness, and the creation of the physical features of the earth. Next sheproduced the tall mountains, the pleasant haunts of the gods, and also gavebirth to the barren waters, sea with its raging surges-all this without thepassion of love. However, rather than acting as anagent of temptation as in the Bible, the snake simply capitalizes onGilgameshs' folly. Thereafter she lay with Sky and gave birth to Ocean withits deep current.
Common topics in this essay:
Writes Gleiser,
Hesiod's Theogony,
Bible Gilgamesh,
Plato's Symposium,
Epic Gilgamesh,
Theogony Plato,
Gilgamesh Biblical,
Darkness Earth,
Bible Eve,
Writes Plato,
hesiod's theogony,
creation myths,
epic gilgamesh,
biblical book genesis,
writes gleiser,
biblical book,
plato's symposium,
gilgamesh hesiod's theogony,
gilgamesh hesiod's,
epic gilgamesh hesiod's,
book genesis,
similarities differences,
hesiod's theogony plato's,
earth sky,
theogony plato's symposium,
|
Acceptance Essays
