The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The David Story - 1719 Words

In both Mesopotamia circa 2100 BCE and Israel circa 367 CE, two very different forms of religion were being practiced. However, key concepts in both religions remain strikingly similar, and in some cases, nearly identical. The relationship between people and their deities is a strong one based entirely on literature, whether that be oral or written. And while this relationship is characterized mainly by love and admiration, fear of and punishment by deities was not an uncommon practice in any religion. The Epic Of Gilgamesh and The David Story both work to prove that the relationship between a people and the divine is characterized by both love for and fear of deities. This relationship based on love and fear directly impacts both the decisions made with the guidance of deities and the punishments inflicted for decisions made without approval of these deities. The relationship between David and God is one of both fear and love. David, who is chosen by God to rule the people of Israe l, is loved by God. However, it is clear in points of the Bible that the wrath of God overcomes his love for David. To begin with the love that God has for David, it is easy to see when David places the Ark of God in Jerusalem, officially giving it a place to rest after several years of wandering. We see this in the dialogue when it is said â€Å"And David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obededom to the City of David with rejoicing† (2 Sam. 6:12). With the Ark itselfShow MoreRelatedDifferent Texts Speak Of A Friendship Between Two Or More Heroes1390 Words   |  6 Pagesfriendship between two or more heroes. Two such are the Bible and the Gilgamesh Epic. In 1 and 2 Samuel we find the story of Johnathan and David and the Epic presents the story of Gilgamesh and an Axe with the entual introduction of the character of Enkidu. In both of these texts friendship is taken to the level of sexual love. Although I do not believe you can interpret both in this manner. First, in Second Samuel David laments the death of Saul and Johnathan. He laments, â€Å"Saul and JohnathanRead More Comparing and Contrasting Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bibles Noahs Ark642 Words   |  3 PagesComparing and Contrasting Epic of Gilgamesh and Noahs Ark Many cultures have stories of a great flood, and probably the best known story is of Noahs Ark. The next most notable is the Sumerian story of Ut-Napishtim found in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the ancient Babylonian depiction of the flood story, the god Enlil creates a flood to destroy a noisy mankind that is disturbing his sleep. Gilgamesh is told by another god, Ea, to build an ark (Monack 1). The Epic of Gilgamesh has broadly the sameRead MoreA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh Essay examples1640 Words   |  7 PagesA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh There are many differences and critical comparisons that can be drawn between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Both are historical poems which shape their respected culture and both have major social, cultural, and political impacts on the development of western civilization literature and writing. Before any analysis is made, it is vital that some kind of a foundation be established so that a further, in-depth exploration of the complex natureRead MoreThe Epic of Beowulf733 Words   |  3 PagesBeowulf is anonymous. The original poem was written on sheep tanned leather. Beowulf is not only the story of a young man that gains glory against monsters or of an old king that dies fighting a dragon, but it is the story of a brave man who, once young and invincible, chooses to fight against the dragon though he knows that hes going to have a tragic end. Beowulf meets all the features of an epic poem: it is a long narration of a national hero ( he is recognized, rewarded and glorified by the kingRead MoreTheme Of Sexuality In Gilgamesh1484 Words   |  6 PagesSexuality in Gilgamesh: Through history, independent cultures have developed stories, legends and myths that share common roots. From Shakespeares dramas to modern soap operas, the expression of the collective subconscious creates similarities in theme and purpose that transcend differences of time, genre, or race. Among these universal themes, one in particular echoes more than the rest: sexuality, and its importance. In the worlds oldest text, Gilgamesh, sexuality’s role is depicted prominentlyRead Morean analysis of the qualifications of an Epic Hero887 Words   |  4 PagesAn epic hero is someone who goes down in history as being brave, courageous, and obviously heroic. They don’t have to be asked to save the day, and often times, they aren’t even saving their own people. There are several epic poems that come to mind when thinking about European culture and where it came from. These stories are held as sacred to many different people, and will always be studied whenever the top ic of government or culture comes up. In these poems, or stories, there is always a heroRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Biblical Narrative Of The Genesis1332 Words   |  6 PagesContrasting cultures influence variation among symbolism and moral values, however collective literary essentials exist. For instance, an abundance of flood stories that expand across the world verifies a connection among the traditions of mankind. The strong resemblance between the flood accounts in the ancient Mesopotamian myth The Epic of Gilgamesh and the biblical narrative of Noah’s Ark in The Genesis propose a closer relationship that encourages further analysis. The major plot points are echoedRead MoreModern Influences Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh2276 Words   |  10 PagesThe Modern influences of The Epic of Gilgamesh â€Å"Who says Gilgamesh ever died?† (Ziolkowski 57). The Epic of Gilgamesh has remained a widely read story throughout the years. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of an imperfect hero on a journey for everlasting life. It features Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and Enkidu, a wild beast man, on a journey of heroic quests and misadventures. This story has inspired many new literary and visual works in many languages; it has also inspired modern archeologistsRead MoreWhat I Thought Was The Most Helpful When Reading The Introduction1312 Words   |  6 Pagesexperience art. Aspects of Near Eastern Religion (Chp. 1) After reading about Atrahasis, Enuma Elish and The Epic of Gilgamesh, it makes sense to me that these were not literatures that were used as religious material. The myths or stories were used to explain the creation of the world and life. (p. 21) I understand the story about Atrahasis, however it sounds strangely close to the story from the Bible that I know as, Noah’s Ark. The gods had created the flood in order to act as a population controlRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh, By Yusef Komunyakaa1808 Words   |  8 PagesThe epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest heroic epics . It plays a important role throughout the human history. Written between 2150-1400 BCE, the Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic is seen as the greatest legacy of the ancient Mesopotamian culture. It has been translated into hundreds of languages and spread all around the world. Thousands of versions and adaptations were made since we found the charm of this poetic work. In 2006, theatre producer Chad Gracia and poet Yusef Komunyakaa presented us with