StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In the essay “The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi” the author analyzes plot and characters, which are considered two of the most important and crucial aspects of a story. Among the two stories, generating characters is given less importance, which seems to be wrong…
Download free paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.2% of users find it useful
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi"

For example, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is literally considered a powerful character. However, analyzing him as a character in a story, Enkidu is really a strong-type of character. He has been created to serve as a character exactly opposite to Gilgamesh-righteous, content, and mortal. Enkidu was there to fight Gilgamesh's filthy activities and oppressive works. In a way, Enkidu serves as Gilgamesh's conscience that directs him away from wrongdoings. He acts as if he is Gilgamesh's superego.

His actions are meant not to destroy Gilgamesh but rather to correct him. Enkidu is an opponent to Gilgamesh but with the purpose of changing his negative attitudes. He is an opponent but with a higher and better cause.To further illustrate, a scene in Tablet II of The Epic of Gilgamesh shows how Enkidu acts as Gilgamesh's opponent. Enkidu has heard Gilgamesh's plan of taking privilege of the marriage bed with another man's wife. For Enkidu, Gilgamesh's planned action is wrong and so he immediately went to Uruk to confront the King.

Enkidu made a stand during that situation that he would not let Gilgamesh do what he desires. Enkidu was indeed determined to stop Gilgamesh, but Gilgamesh's determination is as huge as his as well. Thus, the only solution that would resolve the conflict between them is by fighting. This situation clearly shows how the actions of the characters change the course of the events in a story. Because Enkidu was portrayed in the story as a determined one, the plot then goes instantly to the duel between him and Gilgamesh.

This means that the said attitude of Enkidu does not only alter the flow of the story. Indeed, his character and decision to stop Gilgamesh affect the actions and attitudes of other characters in the story as well, particularly those of Gilgamesh. After their fight, "Gilgamesh bent his knee, with his other foot on the ground, They kissed each other and became friends". (Tablet II, 17). Through this specific incident, many things have changed in the story. Enkidu's actions result in various changes in Gilgamesh's personality.

When the two of them became friends, they engaged themselves in several adventures and journeys. Gilgamesh eventually learned to be a righteous ruler. Thus, Enkidu's stand to stop Gilgamesh at the start of the story also brought positive social consequences.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words, n.d.)
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. https://studentshare.org/literature/1501249-the-power-of-a-storys-souls
(The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/literature/1501249-the-power-of-a-storys-souls.
“The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”. https://studentshare.org/literature/1501249-the-power-of-a-storys-souls.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Coming of Age in Mississippi

Old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh Epic

In the paper “Epic of Gilgamesh” the author analyzes the epic of gilgamesh, a germ for all other epics and hero stories since it contains nearly all literary aspects, symbolism, themes, and other technical features that recur in the works of the same genre.... the epic of gilgamesh began the tradition of representing the gods in somewhat fallible perspectives, which portrayed them as equally susceptible to temptations, passions, and folly just like mortals....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Epic of Gilgamesh

[Name of Student] [Name of Professor] [Course] [Date] Response to Epic of Gilgamesh Introduction the epic of gilgamesh is considered to be the oldest stories in the history of the world and originated from Ancient Sumeria.... This paper is a response to the epic of gilgamesh discussing the story, the tone, the setting and other such aspects of the book.... Conclusion the epic of gilgamesh is a story worth reading because it is one of the oldest stories written by man and yet the theme of the story still seems fresh....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Character of Gilgamesh

The story follows the antics of gilgamesh and his literary foil, Enkidu as they seek fame, glory, and ultimately everlasting life.... The story follows the antics of gilgamesh and his literary foil, Enkidu as they seek fame, glory, and ultimately everlasting life.... Once Enkidu enters the story we never here of gilgamesh and any more women again.... First of all it shows how public opinion of gilgamesh has changed greatly since the opening of the story, and in that change in opinion we can also begin to see the change in Gilgamesh's character....
3 Pages (750 words) Book Report/Review

Epic of Gilgamesh - Power of the Relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu

In the paper “epic of gilgamesh” the author analyzes a classical poetry piece which depends a great deal on the historical incidents taking place with regards to the city of Eruk, known as Iraq now.... Gilgamesh basically describes the reason as to how and why Gilgamesh was thought of as a role model for the coming classic poems of the time.... It has brought to the notice the beauty tangents and the power of the relationship that gilgamesh and Enkidu had between them....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

(Kovacs, Tablet I) The story of Epic of Gilgamesh is clasified into epsiodes namely a) the meeting of gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu, b) encouter with fickle and voluptuos goddess Shamhat, c) journey through the Cedar forest, d) death of Enkidu and e) search for immortality.... epic of gilgamesh goes on to prove that desire of God and destiny of man often comes in conflict.... The relationship between gilgamesh and gods can be compared with the relationship of Abraham and God in the Book of Genesis....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Epic of Gilgamesh and Euripides Medea

This paper is aimed at providing a comparative study of the epic of gilgamesh and Euripides' Medea.... the epic of gilgamesh and Euripides' MedeaWith respect to both literary works, the theme expressed by both writers is different in relation to the subject matter.... Both literary works differ in their presentation with the epic of gilgamesh being expressed in form of a poem and the Euripides' Medea delivered as a play.... The subject matter in both stories differs as the epic of gilgamesh expresses the exploits of a King who is in a position of power and highly regarded by all his subjects....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Kingship was an ordained and elevated social position… Kings were supposed to play a central role in the development of the society through their military leadership, performance of priestly functions, acting as lawgivers and building the city How does the epic of gilgamesh reflect certain ideals about kingship in Mesopotamian society?... oncerning the relationship between the gods and kings, the epic of gilgamesh notes the importance of kings forming closer ties with the gods....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Nature of the People Who Produced the Epic of Gilgamesh

This paper "Epic of Gilgamesh" focuses on the fact that the epic of gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories that had been written on clay tablets.... The story is an exciting story, which brings out many themes and nature of the ancient kingdoms and the subjects of gilgamesh.... nbsp; The first tablet talks much about the nature and mightiness of gilgamesh.... The tablet discusses the wondrous works of gilgamesh such as building a great city that had high walls, and amazing masonry work....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us