Two stories with comparable morals or virtues are The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli. In each of the stories, the main characters possess certain characteristics that can be immoral and moral depending on the situation. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is a crude King who abuses his power, but he eventually learns the meaning of life and how to be a noble human being. On the other hand, in The Prince, the story lists virtuous traits that a prince must acquire in order to be a great leader.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are general themes of power, love and truth. Gilgamesh leads the story by mentioning his extracurricular activities involving other men’s wives. A man said to Enkidu, “For Gilgamesh, king of ramparted Uruk, people’s veils are open for the taking! He mates with the lawful wife, he first, the groom after” (Puchner 46). Gilgamesh worked his people until their backs broke in addition to taking advantage of married women on the night of their wedding. As the story moves forward, Gilgamesh …show more content…
Some of the standards are bad, such as when it is stated, “Hence, if a prince wishes to maintain himself, he must learn how not to be good, and to use that ability or not as is required" (Machiavelli 1632). It examines the idea of a prince being allowed to be immoral when he sees fit. However, a prince could abuse his power as Gilgamesh did and use this for the worst of his ruling. One great moral is found when Machiavelli states, “That is, if a prince vases himself entirely on Fortune, he will fall when she varies. I also belivee that a ruler will be successful who adapts his mode of procedure to the quality of the times...” (Machiavelli 1632). This passage says that a prince will be successful if he rules accordingly based on the present time. He must adapt to the constant changes that are being
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are general themes of power, love and truth. Gilgamesh leads the story by mentioning his extracurricular activities involving other men’s wives. A man said to Enkidu, “For Gilgamesh, king of ramparted Uruk, people’s veils are open for the taking! He mates with the lawful wife, he first, the groom after” (Puchner 46). Gilgamesh worked his people until their backs broke in addition to taking advantage of married women on the night of their wedding. As the story moves forward, Gilgamesh …show more content…
Some of the standards are bad, such as when it is stated, “Hence, if a prince wishes to maintain himself, he must learn how not to be good, and to use that ability or not as is required" (Machiavelli 1632). It examines the idea of a prince being allowed to be immoral when he sees fit. However, a prince could abuse his power as Gilgamesh did and use this for the worst of his ruling. One great moral is found when Machiavelli states, “That is, if a prince vases himself entirely on Fortune, he will fall when she varies. I also belivee that a ruler will be successful who adapts his mode of procedure to the quality of the times...” (Machiavelli 1632). This passage says that a prince will be successful if he rules accordingly based on the present time. He must adapt to the constant changes that are being