The ties of the Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh
Marco Alataris
Since the beginning of literature, there have always been epics. The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving pieces of literature from Mesopotamia that tells the story of Gilgamesh’s many adventures. The Odyssey, another epic poem written 700 years later, has many parallels with the Epic of Gilgamesh, such as their heroic deeds, ancient gods, and strong friendships. However, there is an important difference in how the protagonists are characterized. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey are similar in their plot and themes and they differ in their protagonists.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey share a theme of brotherhood and strong relationships between the protagonist and their companions. In the Epic of Gilgamesh Enkidu and Gilgamesh form a lasting friendship. After Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh describes how Enkidu was the person who he relied on to help him become a good king when he says, “‘O Enkidu, you were the axe at my side in which my arm trusted, the knife in my sheath, the shield I carried, my glorious robe, the wide belt around my loins.’” (p.153). Similarly, in the Odyssey, Odysseus forms a strong relationship with his trusted shipmates, which allows him to journey home. Without these friendships, Odysseus would have never arrived back on Ithaca.
Another similarity between the two works is that the gods help the protagonists defeat their enemies. One example of a god helping Giglamesh defeat an enemy is when Shamash pins Humbaba down so that Gilgamesh can chop off his head: “Then Shamash threw strong winds at Humbaba, the south wind, the north wind, the east, and the west, storm wind, gale wind, hurricane, tornado, to pin him down and paralyze his steps.” (p.124). In the Odyssey, Athena helps Odysseus defeat the cyclops by giving him a branch of an olive tree so he could blind the cyclops. In both pieces, the gods help the protagonists.
While there are many parallels between these epic poems, one way that they differ is in the characterization of the protagonists. Gilgamesh is characterized by his physical strength while Odysseus is described as a tactician. Gilgamesh is described as more powerful and enormous than any other man when the poem describes him as, “Surpassing all kings, powerful and tall beyond all others, violent, splendid, a wild bull of a man.” (p.71). On the other hand, when Odysseus is faced with challenges he approaches things more as a tactician and scholar. For example, Gilgamesh killed Humbaba with sheer strength, but Odysseus trapped the cyclops by having him move the rock in front of the cave, rather than relying on brute force.
The Odyssey has many parallels with the Epic of Gilgamesh, such as their theme of brotherhood and strong relationships, and gods helping the protagonist, but there are some important differences such as in the characterization of the protagonists. Since the Epic of Gilgamesh was written 700 years earlier than the Odyssey, Gilgamesh may have been an influence on the theme and plot of the Odyssey. However, Gilgamesh as a protagonist may have not influenced Odysseus.
