Plutarch and Gilgamesh

             Plutarch, Theseus (John Dryden), Gilgamesh (M.G. Kovacs)
             The Epic of Gilgamesh and Plutarch's the life of Theseus are two mythological epics, which are evidence explaining the mental state of the people of their time. It is clear that both Gilgamesh and Theseus came to life in different circumstances. The Great goddess Aruru created Gilgamesh. She designed his body and made him to be "beautiful, handsomest of men, and perfect." (Tablet I) He was two thirds god and a third mortal. On the other hand, Theseus's father Aegeus left his mother Aethra pregnant. Aegeus left before Theseus was born and before Theseus would be able to meet his father. In the lives of Gilgamesh and Theseus there were many left secrets that were just bound to being discovered. Theseus' father had left him a sword and a pair of shoes under a great stone. Although, after time Aethra noticed Theseus's bravery and quickness and "conducted him to the stone, and informing him who was his true father, commanded him to take from thence the tokens that Aegeus had left, and sail to Athens." (Ch.6) In Gilgamesh Aruru is given complaints by the Lord of Uruk and is told to create and equal creature to Gilgamesh so that they may be peace. "Aruru washed her hands, she pinched off some clay, and threw it into the wilderness." (Tablet I) She then continued to create the valiant Endiku.
             Gilgamesh and Theseus both embark on many dangerous journeys. Gilgamesh first test is when he comes into contact with Endiku, the almighty beast of the wilderness, who in turn stops him from proceeding with a law that says that he may have intercourse with a "destined wife." (Tablet II) Gilgamesh in turn attacked him, so they fought until the doorpost trembled and the wall shook. At last they noticed that they were perfectly even and kissed each other and became friends. So Gilgamesh set off with Endiku to fight off Humbaba the king of the Cedar Forest. At the point of confront...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Plutarch and Gilgamesh. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 10:24, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/6685.html