The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient poem from the Mesopotamian Era that tells the story of two companions: Gilgamesh, the powerful and tyrannical demigod who rules as the King of Uruk, and Enkidu, a feral man who is created as an equal for the king by the gods, lifted out of nature and civilized by the touch of woman. ... The Epic of Gilgamesh stresses that these cosmos involve three main categories of beings: animals, humans, and Gods. ... Through Gilgamesh and Enkidu, it is demonstrated how human life is the best to have in the cosmos: humans share both god and animal characteristics. ... Th...

• Word Count: 1399
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the poem, "Anonymous, Gilgamesh", the role of Gilgamesh, at the very first sight of him, is one who possesses the characteristics of beauty, strength, and the ability to do greatness for his city, Uruk. ... Gilgamesh is an epic poem of love, but contains grief that has a real change on his character, which causes him to have major flaws in his life as a ruler, which results in a cruel treatment upon the citizens that he reigns over. The difference in the text between "masculine" and "feminine" styles of living is that the male figure will develop the right characteristics at first, but l...

• Word Count: 600
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Recent studies have begun to see the Homeric epics in the light of other epic traditions, notably epics from Mesopotamia, and have begun to look at striking similarities. ... Both of the main heroes share many similar characteristics, including a dynamic outlook on life and death centered on the death of their heroic comrades, Patroclus and Enkidu, respectively. The two semi-divine heroes have many corresponding life-events and characteristics, and are also both very concerned with their own mortalities, but not quite in the same way. ... Comparisons between various characters abound in near-e...

• Word Count: 4256
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate