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The epic is a good example of global literature because it is found in every culture, stretching over oceans and across the world. The reasons they are found in every culture and in even the earliest civilizations is because the epic is based in oral tradition—meaning it was originally sung or performed. An epic is didactic literature—it is an object of knowledge and enjoyment, while also offering important illumination, historical, and cultural perspectives. It is very important to literature and to history because it often contains important information about the particular long-lost culture, such as; religion, gender roles, homes, dress, war, weapons, values, and moral standards. The epic also contains clues as to what the people who created them feared or did not understand—such as natural disasters, geological formations, death, storms, and the mysterious heavens above. The epic has also established itself as a form of global literature because they have been read over a great period of time and are cherished by a wide variety of readers.
There are also very specific, similar components that form a solid foundation of an epic. An epic is a long, complex story in poem f
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devastating flood that is levied upon the inhabitants of the earth. He was ethical, just, and merciful; and He could not be destroyed. So the gods exterminated mankind by way of a devastating flood because the humans were an annoyance—making too much noise—so the god’s decide to rid the earth of the simple people. In Gilgamesh the gods agreed that, “The uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the babel” (Gilgamesh 35). Gilgamesh, The Ramayana, and The Old Testament have all stood the test of time and will continue to be read, enjoyed, and learned from for generations to come. It is noted in the introduction to Gilgamesh, that Gilgamesh—the hero himself—is credited as and appears to have been the person who wrote his adventures down and then buried them in the walls of his city, Uruk. Both epics are poems written in the 3rd person that center on one main heroes adventures and travels to fight and combat evil. Also similar, both Gilgamesh and The Ramayana take place in polytheistic societies. Whereas in The Old Testament, Yahweh destroys mankind because they are overcome with wickedness—but Yahweh does allow some people the opportunity of a second chance. Another significant similarity that The Old Testament shares with The Ramayana is that both stories have had and continue to have special significance and are symbols of inspiration to many. Even today Hindu society recognizes and celebrates Rama as the supreme example of righteousness. A central point of comparison is that neither Gilgamesh nor Rama can escape death, and they both eventually succumb to mortality.
The Ramayana was conceived in 550 BC and is also characterized as an epic because of its traits and characteristics.
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