In this paper you have asked us to look at four readings, to compare and contrast the visions or attitudes towards death and the afterlife. The four readings that we were asked to look at where the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Iliad, Plato's Apology, and finally the Martyrdom of Polycarp. The paper will be set up in the following format. First, I will give my findings in each of the four works, starting with the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Iliad, Plato's Apology, and then finally the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Second, relate any comparisons or contrasts that I have found between the four works.
             Now, let us begin with the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh, I felt that there were two themes that related to the papers objective. One theme dealing with death and the other theme dealing with the afterlife. First, in regards to death the story illustrates to me that the overall view on death was that it was inevitable. I felt that this was shown in Enkidu's death. It was at that point for the first time I believe that Gilgamesh believed that everyone was mortal and at some point everyone is going to die including himself and with realization, he begins to deny the truth and face the reality of his own death. In regards to the afterlife, the idea that the story presented was that immortality is unachievable.
             Homer's Iliad, I felt only presented a theme on death and the way it was viewed. It was revealed to us through the character of Hector, when he spoke of the death that was fated to him. Hector spoke of this death in the conversation with his wife. In this conversation, he states that even though he would probably die in the upcoming fighting he must go and fight. He was not afraid to die, because he felt that by fighting for his people and dying he would honor his family after his death.
             Plato wrote Plato's Apology, after the death of Socrates. I believe that in the story, Socrates remains confid...