Gilgamesh

The basic similarities between Enkidu-Gilgamesh and the way of the comparison seem to break down or fail: In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk who is 2/3 god and 1/3 human. At the very beginning of the story, people of Uruk suffer from Gilgamesh. Enkidu is created by the god Anu as a counterforce to Gilgamesh. Enkidu lives in wilderness, eats grass and he is uncivilized. Thus, it can be said that both Gilgamesh and Enkidu are wild at the beginning. And also, Enkidu helps animals, not killing them, saving them. Shamhat takes Enkidu to Uruk which is between wild and civilization. It can be said that, our character, Enkidu, is changing internally. It is similar to Gilgamesh’s change at the end of the epic. At the end of the epic Gilgamesh learns how to be a kind and wise king. When Gilgamesh and Enkidu meet they fight. As a consequence of the endless match, it can be said that they are specifically equal. They are similar in that they are both strong. After that, they become friends and Enkidu travels with Gilgamesh helps Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba and Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are different in that Enkidu was created by the gods. Gilgamesh is the son of Lugalbanda and Ninsun. In addition to that, Enkidu dies because of the curse of Humbaba. Since Enkidu dies earlier than Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh conquers the death and frightens. Enkidu has not had the chance of being civilized as Gilgamesh has at the end of the epic. Gilgamesh learns how to be a king and be sorry for how he was. After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh changes his mind and thinks that life of human being is short; man must make a name before death. The basic similarities between Patroclus-Achilles and the way of the comparison seem to break down or fail: Patroclus begs for getting into battle like wearing Achilles by wearing his armor. Achilles instructions to Patroclus after he agrees to Patroclus request of fighting: Don’t push too far, only defeat them from our camp until the Trojan wall. The reason of that, not only Patroclus could be dead but also do not desire to fight the Trojans without me. For a brief moment Achilles' character shifts from a strong and unbreakable warrior to an emotional and vulnerable character. Achilles returns to the battlefield because he wants revenge for Patroclus' death by killing Hector, Patroclus' killer. After Achilles got revenge by killing Hector, he cremated Patroclus' corpse and held elaborate funeral games to honor him. In addition, Achilles can be blamed because of Patroclus' death. Although Patroclus begs Achilles to forget his rage and fight against the Greek army, Achilles doesn’t listen. Also Achilles gives his armor to Patroclus in order to lead the Myrmidons. Achilles is the greatest warrior. Patroclus was Achilles best friend and Patroclus is a skilled warrior and he was kind. This strong relationship between Patroclus and Achilles; the death of Patroclus becomes the motivation for Achilles to return to battle. The basic similarities between Enkidu-Patroclus/Gilgamesh-Achilles and the way of the comparison seem to break down or fail: After the death of their friends, when we observe Achilles and Gilgamesh, it can be said that they feel the similar pain when Achilles looses Patroclus and Gilgamesh looses Enkidu. Their behaviors change because of the death of their loved ones. When Gilgamesh looses Enkidu, Gilgamesh becomes more mature and Patroclus desires to take the revenge on. And also they feel the responsibility of their friends’ death. Since Enkidu dies while trying to help Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh feels responsible of Enkidu’s death because of Humbaba’s curse. Although Achilles warns Patroclus to not to push too far in the battle because of not only Patroclus could be dead but also do not desire to fight the Trojans without him. Achilles doesn’t want Patroclus to fight Trojans without him because Achilles wants reputation and he is selfish. However Achilles feels responsible of Patroclus death. In addition to that, both Achilles and Gilgamesh have the blood of gods and because of that they behave like surpassed.