The Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written epic in history, written in 2700 BC, in cuneiform, on clay tablets, found in the library in Nineveh, describes the king of the city state of Uruk’s love of his friend Enkidu and his quest for immortality. The Book of Exodus, written in 1400 BC describes God’s call of Moses, a Hebrew raised in Ramses II’s court in Egypt, to lead the enslaved Hebrews out of bondage in Egypt, to the Promised Land in Canaan. Gilgamesh and Moses function as heroes in these two ancient literary works. They both exhibit similarities but differ substantially. In particular, the two men have very different mentalities and goals, but are both alike in that they embody their culture. Moses and Gilgamesh differ in personalities.
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In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh hunts for immortality, which Merriam Webster defines as “unending existence” or the ability to live on Earth forever and never die. Gilgamesh says, “Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found life!”(Gilgamesh Tablet 11) Gilgamesh demands of Utnapishtim, the only moral ever to have been granted immortality by the gods. Gilgamesh desires to possess the knowledge of how he, too, can become immortal. Gilgamesh wants to rule forever, “supreme over the kings”(Gilgamesh Tablet 1). When Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh that “when the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping”(Gilgamesh Tablet 11) and that Gilgamesh cannot become immortal. Gilgamesh realizes that although he may not have the power to live for all of eternity, but mankind will indeed last forever. He sets out to make his name live through his people. He builds them a glorious city, an enormous wall protecting it, and a giant ziggurat within Uruk. Moses however, seeks not immortality, but eternal life in heaven with God for himself and all his people. Moses does not want to rule, but to follow and worship the Lord. Moses believes that “the Lord will fight for [him]...”(Exodus 14:14). He whole heartedly trusts the Lord, knows that God will defend him, and is completely willing to follow. Gilgamesh desires to live forever and control with his own power rather than …show more content…
Merriam Webster defines embody as to represent something in a clear and obvious way: to be a symbol or example of something. One example of Moses representing his culture is when “[God sends Moses] to Pharaoh to bring [his] people, the Israelites, out of Egypt”(Exodus 3:10), and Moses successfully does what God asked of him. Moses gives today’s society information about the belief in one God and the Israelites in ancient Egypt. He defends his people from the hands of the Pharaoh. After fleeing from Egypt, God gives Moses instructions to climb Mount Sinai with two stone tablets, in order to bring the Israelites God’s Ten Commandments. “So Moses [chisels] out two stone tablets...and [goes] up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he [carries] the stone tablets in his hands”(Exodus 34:4). Moses returns to his people days later, returning with God’s laws for the Israelites. Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments, also gives us information on the beliefs of the Israelites. Moses leads his people, protecting and providing for them. He embodies his culture and the people's ideas. Gilgamesh also provides for his people. “In Uruk he [builds] walls, a great rampart, and the temple of blessed Eanna for the god of the firmament Anu, and for Ishtar, the goddess of love”(Gilgamesh Prologue). “[Gilgamesh] was the man to whom all things were known; [he] was the king who knew the countries of the world. He was wise, saw
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh hunts for immortality, which Merriam Webster defines as “unending existence” or the ability to live on Earth forever and never die. Gilgamesh says, “Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found life!”(Gilgamesh Tablet 11) Gilgamesh demands of Utnapishtim, the only moral ever to have been granted immortality by the gods. Gilgamesh desires to possess the knowledge of how he, too, can become immortal. Gilgamesh wants to rule forever, “supreme over the kings”(Gilgamesh Tablet 1). When Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh that “when the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping”(Gilgamesh Tablet 11) and that Gilgamesh cannot become immortal. Gilgamesh realizes that although he may not have the power to live for all of eternity, but mankind will indeed last forever. He sets out to make his name live through his people. He builds them a glorious city, an enormous wall protecting it, and a giant ziggurat within Uruk. Moses however, seeks not immortality, but eternal life in heaven with God for himself and all his people. Moses does not want to rule, but to follow and worship the Lord. Moses believes that “the Lord will fight for [him]...”(Exodus 14:14). He whole heartedly trusts the Lord, knows that God will defend him, and is completely willing to follow. Gilgamesh desires to live forever and control with his own power rather than …show more content…
Merriam Webster defines embody as to represent something in a clear and obvious way: to be a symbol or example of something. One example of Moses representing his culture is when “[God sends Moses] to Pharaoh to bring [his] people, the Israelites, out of Egypt”(Exodus 3:10), and Moses successfully does what God asked of him. Moses gives today’s society information about the belief in one God and the Israelites in ancient Egypt. He defends his people from the hands of the Pharaoh. After fleeing from Egypt, God gives Moses instructions to climb Mount Sinai with two stone tablets, in order to bring the Israelites God’s Ten Commandments. “So Moses [chisels] out two stone tablets...and [goes] up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he [carries] the stone tablets in his hands”(Exodus 34:4). Moses returns to his people days later, returning with God’s laws for the Israelites. Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments, also gives us information on the beliefs of the Israelites. Moses leads his people, protecting and providing for them. He embodies his culture and the people's ideas. Gilgamesh also provides for his people. “In Uruk he [builds] walls, a great rampart, and the temple of blessed Eanna for the god of the firmament Anu, and for Ishtar, the goddess of love”(Gilgamesh Prologue). “[Gilgamesh] was the man to whom all things were known; [he] was the king who knew the countries of the world. He was wise, saw