Based on the author’s depiction of social conventions in the texts, Homer’s The Essential Odyssey and Andrew George's translation of The Epic of Gilgamesh both share many fundamental values, including fear of the gods, which drives social conventions, what is just, which is decided by the gods, and honor, which drives the actions and thoughts of the characters.
In both texts, fear and respect for the Gods comes up in many different situations—it influences social conventions and the daily lives of all of the characters, particularly Ninsun and Odysseus. Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, is very respectful in her prayer to the Sun God Shamash—while she is asking him for the favor of protecting her son, she makes sure that she fully completes all of the necessary rituals in …show more content…
Because of this fear, she knows her efforts are mandatory and necessary. During the prayer, she continues this careful respect by calling Shamash’s bride, Aya, “unfearing” three times. She wants the gods to understand that they are not afraid of her but that she is afraid of them. She also calls Shamash himself “brilliant,” to convey her unwavering respect for him and his intellect (George 2003, 24-25). In The Essential Odyssey, many different characters believe what the gods say without question. They fear repercussions if they do not possess an unwavering belief in them. Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus speaks with Irus, another beggar, and explains to him that he must not be jealous of him begging in the palace as well, as “Prosperity is up to the gods” (Homer 2007, 162). This conveys the belief that the gods have control over their lives, and that if they do not respect them, their lives could easily be ruined. This argument is furthered earlier in the text, as Melampus explains that “he was shackled by Fate” and that the “will of Zeus was fulfilled” (Homer 2007, 104). Fate is determined by the gods and so it is
In both texts, fear and respect for the Gods comes up in many different situations—it influences social conventions and the daily lives of all of the characters, particularly Ninsun and Odysseus. Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, is very respectful in her prayer to the Sun God Shamash—while she is asking him for the favor of protecting her son, she makes sure that she fully completes all of the necessary rituals in …show more content…
Because of this fear, she knows her efforts are mandatory and necessary. During the prayer, she continues this careful respect by calling Shamash’s bride, Aya, “unfearing” three times. She wants the gods to understand that they are not afraid of her but that she is afraid of them. She also calls Shamash himself “brilliant,” to convey her unwavering respect for him and his intellect (George 2003, 24-25). In The Essential Odyssey, many different characters believe what the gods say without question. They fear repercussions if they do not possess an unwavering belief in them. Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus speaks with Irus, another beggar, and explains to him that he must not be jealous of him begging in the palace as well, as “Prosperity is up to the gods” (Homer 2007, 162). This conveys the belief that the gods have control over their lives, and that if they do not respect them, their lives could easily be ruined. This argument is furthered earlier in the text, as Melampus explains that “he was shackled by Fate” and that the “will of Zeus was fulfilled” (Homer 2007, 104). Fate is determined by the gods and so it is