Gilgamesh and the Odyssey

In Gilgamesh and The Odyssey the two main characters Gilgamesh and Odysseus are driven to accomplish their goals. Gilgamesh is driven by the death of his faithful companion Enkidu. Enkidu's death by the gods opens Gilgamesh's eyes into realizing that no one will live forever. Coming upon this realization he sets out on a quest to find Utnapishtim the Mesopotamian Noah. Utnapishtim was granted immortality by the gods after they agreed to flood the world. Gilgamesh's quest turns out to be a waist. He then realizes, even though his death is inevitable his glorious city will remain and shall keep his legacy alive. Odysseus is driven by the love for his wife, son, and kingdom. He has the option of staying with Calypso, a beautiful nymph who has fallen in love with him and offered him immortality, on the island of Ogygia but he chooses to leave the island to return home to his kingdom. Even though Odysseus was offered the tip of it into a point; he also chars it in a fire. He then offers Polyphemus some wine in the hopes of getting him drunk he succeeds in this task and tells the giant that his name is "nobody". Polyphemus passes out then Odysseus and his crew member drive the charred woodened stake into his eye. Polyphemus screams that "nobody is attacking him causing his tribe to disregard his screams for help. Also in books 21 and 22 Odysseus takes criticism from one of the suitors but waits until he has them all trapped in the room to kill them all. The killing of all the suitors and the hanging of the untrustworthy women shows that Odysseus has an unrelenting side that chooses to show no mercy for those who show disloyalty. Unlike Odysseus Gilgamesh has no sense of the word noble. "No son left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the king should be a shepherd to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble..." Gilgamesh has no morals doing such disgraceful acts. Gilgamesh is two parts god and one part human. He is known for having unmatchable strength and constructing magnificent edifices. Even though Gilgamesh's strength is unmatchable Enkidu is created and has strength similar to Gilgamesh. It seems that Gilgamesh's real strength comes from Enkidu and the Gods. Enkidu and Shamash the sun god are the only reason Gilgamesh was able to take down Humbaba.

Women play a major role in supporting the storyline