Heroes typically have the characteristics of being strong and fearless. The ancient hero Gilgamesh had these ideals in the story the Epic of Gilgamesh, written in Western Asia in 2000 B.C.E. Even though these ideals are present, they are not as evident in the hero Harry Potter from J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series written in the 21st century. However, in almost every book, no matter what the culture or time period are, the same basic themes of character traits, power and death recur. Even though these topics have become more complicated in modern-day books, the same basic principles are still applicable to the Epic of Gilgamesh.
There are many similarities between these stories even though they were written in drastically different time periods …show more content…
For example, in the transition between Tablet III and Tablet IV, he shows a remarkable amount of confidence by not surrendering to the people’s attempts to persuade him not to endeavor on his voyage to the Forest of Cedar. This validates the traits of a powerful leader because he expands his leadership capabilities throughout the story. The story of Harry Potter reveals a very dark side of power. Specifically, Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows, which is the seventh and final book of the series, displays the theory that people will do almost anything, no matter how dirty or wicked, to obtain power. The pursuit of power can bring out the absolute worst in almost anyone. The prime example of this throughout all of the Harry Potter books but especially in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, of course, is Voldemort. He has a voracious craving for power that leads him down a path of torturing and murdering countless amounts of people. He will do whatever it takes to obtain the all-powerful Elder Wand and ultimately kill Harry Potter. One character, Mr. Ollivander describes to Harry the true reason why Voldemort seeks the Elder Wand and says, “The Dark Lord no longer seeks the Elder Wand only for your destruction, Mr. Potter. He is determined to possess it because he believes it will make him truly invulnerable.” Voldemort believes that once he is in possession of the Elder Wand that no one can …show more content…
If he dies, he will be reunited with his closest friend. However, Gilgamesh seems to really desire to have immortality and by the end of the story he is searching for the immortal Uta-napishti so that the secret of immortality will be revealed to him. Instead of ever having to face his fear and experience death, he plans to conquer his fear by becoming immortal. His plan is foiled, though, when a snake eats his plant-like coral. Gilgamesh’s only chance at immortality is ruined, which reveals another theme: no human can escape death; it is inevitable. Harry constantly has to come face to face with the fear of death, and occasionally questions his desire to be mortal or immortal. In the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he finally has to come face to face with the image that has been haunting him for years, death. There has always been a shadow of death on his life since the murder of his parents and he finally has to face it in the last book. Whether it is the death of countless friends to the obligation that Harry die himself, he is persistently trying to understand death and its meaning, and how to cope with its brutal sting. Without a doubt, this modern literary work is relatable to King Gilgamesh, and expresses the importance of this epic book to today’s
There are many similarities between these stories even though they were written in drastically different time periods …show more content…
For example, in the transition between Tablet III and Tablet IV, he shows a remarkable amount of confidence by not surrendering to the people’s attempts to persuade him not to endeavor on his voyage to the Forest of Cedar. This validates the traits of a powerful leader because he expands his leadership capabilities throughout the story. The story of Harry Potter reveals a very dark side of power. Specifically, Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows, which is the seventh and final book of the series, displays the theory that people will do almost anything, no matter how dirty or wicked, to obtain power. The pursuit of power can bring out the absolute worst in almost anyone. The prime example of this throughout all of the Harry Potter books but especially in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, of course, is Voldemort. He has a voracious craving for power that leads him down a path of torturing and murdering countless amounts of people. He will do whatever it takes to obtain the all-powerful Elder Wand and ultimately kill Harry Potter. One character, Mr. Ollivander describes to Harry the true reason why Voldemort seeks the Elder Wand and says, “The Dark Lord no longer seeks the Elder Wand only for your destruction, Mr. Potter. He is determined to possess it because he believes it will make him truly invulnerable.” Voldemort believes that once he is in possession of the Elder Wand that no one can …show more content…
If he dies, he will be reunited with his closest friend. However, Gilgamesh seems to really desire to have immortality and by the end of the story he is searching for the immortal Uta-napishti so that the secret of immortality will be revealed to him. Instead of ever having to face his fear and experience death, he plans to conquer his fear by becoming immortal. His plan is foiled, though, when a snake eats his plant-like coral. Gilgamesh’s only chance at immortality is ruined, which reveals another theme: no human can escape death; it is inevitable. Harry constantly has to come face to face with the fear of death, and occasionally questions his desire to be mortal or immortal. In the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he finally has to come face to face with the image that has been haunting him for years, death. There has always been a shadow of death on his life since the murder of his parents and he finally has to face it in the last book. Whether it is the death of countless friends to the obligation that Harry die himself, he is persistently trying to understand death and its meaning, and how to cope with its brutal sting. Without a doubt, this modern literary work is relatable to King Gilgamesh, and expresses the importance of this epic book to today’s