Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Gilgamesh

This semester we read both The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf. These epic poems portray epic heroes and the stories brought hope, faith, and bravery to people. Epic heroes were and are considered legends to people in the past and in the present. These two stories main characters both are considered epic heroes who set out on quests and also have similarities to their characteristics. The Epic of Gilgamesh’s main character is Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is the king of his city Uruk and is two-thirds god and one-third man. Gilgamesh was very god-like, strong, brave, loyal, wise, but was also greedy and arrogant at times. Gilgamesh sets out on a quest to conquer the guardian of the forest Humbaba and take the cedar to build a door to his city Uruk and to gain the secret of eternal life. Gilgamesh is very determined and loyal to his quest in finding eternal like for himself and his friend Enkidu, but he is not successful and accepts his death and fate to come. Beowulf’s main character Beowulf likewise to Gilgamesh has tremendous strength, and is very brave, loyal, …show more content…
I mentioned previously their characteristics, and they both obtain strength, bravery, loyalty, and dedication. Gilgamesh and Beowulf both had in mind the people’s best interests and tried to protect and better them. Also these two characters both set out on quests. Their reasons and agendas for these quest might not have been the same, but they both had to display bravery, dedication, and courage on these quests. Gilgamesh on his quest defeated the monster Humbaba and Beowulf defeated the monster Grendel and his mother. Although Gilgamesh was not completely successful in his quest he and Beowulf both gained something from their quests. Gilgamesh gained a friend and acceptance of his mortality, and Beowulf was successful in his quest and brought peace to the people. These characters both are recognized as similar epic heroes who faced great battles and