Iliad Connection
The Iliad was written in ancient Greek by a man called Homer. The characters in the book include Aquiles, a god on earth, and Hector a handsome prince who will do anything to protect his homeland. In these two tablets there were many connections between the Iliad and Gilgamesh.
First, we see how Gilgamesh and Enkidu resemble the main characters of the Iliad. Even though Hector and Aquiles weren’t companions like Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they did have a foil between them. In a way I believe Hector and Aquiles respected each other enough that they could have been companions if they were on the same side. Also Aquiles and Enkidu are alike because they grew up in bad conditions while Gilgamesh and Hector grew up in luxurious palaces. The characters of these stories are tough strong men that will do just about anything to protect their gods and their lands.
"Shamash raised up against Humbaba mighty tempests'-- Southwind, Northwind, Eastwind, Westwind, Whistling Wind, Piercing Wind, Blizzard, Bad Wind, Wind of Simurru, Demon Wind, Ice Wind, Storm, Sandstorm-- thirteen winds rose up against him and covered Humbaba's face. He could nor butt through the front, and could not scramble out the back, so that Gilgamesh'a weapons were in reach of Humbaba."
Pg 27
In the Iliad in the middle of battle warriors made cries to their gods that were sometimes answered. Some Gods even had certain mortals they protected throughout battle. As I was reading this part in Gilgamesh I immediately was reminded of the many wars fought for troy in which the gods would intervene to change destiny. In Gilgamesh, the god protects the Wild Ox and his companion by sending an attack on the enemy. The god only acted as soon as he heard the prayer to intercede in the mortal’s path.
"While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees, sleep that pours over mankind overtook him. in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end, so he got up and said to his friend: "My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream-- and the dream I had was deeply disturbing(?) in the mountain gorges... the mountain fell down on me (us?) ... Wet(?)... like flies(?)..."
Pg 24
Dreams appeared in these tablets when Gilgamesh awoke in the middle of the night questioning the dreams the god Shamash sent him. Enkidu would analyze the dreams and tell Gilgamesh what good future they foresaw. In the Iliad similar actions took place. On the mists of battle, the Gods would send messages to the commanders telling them what to do. Dreams are a big part in the connection with the beings above in these novels and I wonder if in Gilgamesh they will be present all through the tale.
( quotes obtained from http://www.readprint.com/chapter-12898/Gilgamesh-Anonymous)
The Iliad was written in ancient Greek by a man called Homer. The characters in the book include Aquiles, a god on earth, and Hector a handsome prince who will do anything to protect his homeland. In these two tablets there were many connections between the Iliad and Gilgamesh.
First, we see how Gilgamesh and Enkidu resemble the main characters of the Iliad. Even though Hector and Aquiles weren’t companions like Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they did have a foil between them. In a way I believe Hector and Aquiles respected each other enough that they could have been companions if they were on the same side. Also Aquiles and Enkidu are alike because they grew up in bad conditions while Gilgamesh and Hector grew up in luxurious palaces. The characters of these stories are tough strong men that will do just about anything to protect their gods and their lands.
"Shamash raised up against Humbaba mighty tempests'-- Southwind, Northwind, Eastwind, Westwind, Whistling Wind, Piercing Wind, Blizzard, Bad Wind, Wind of Simurru, Demon Wind, Ice Wind, Storm, Sandstorm-- thirteen winds rose up against him and covered Humbaba's face. He could nor butt through the front, and could not scramble out the back, so that Gilgamesh'a weapons were in reach of Humbaba."
Pg 27
In the Iliad in the middle of battle warriors made cries to their gods that were sometimes answered. Some Gods even had certain mortals they protected throughout battle. As I was reading this part in Gilgamesh I immediately was reminded of the many wars fought for troy in which the gods would intervene to change destiny. In Gilgamesh, the god protects the Wild Ox and his companion by sending an attack on the enemy. The god only acted as soon as he heard the prayer to intercede in the mortal’s path.
"While Gilgamesh rested his chin on his knees, sleep that pours over mankind overtook him. in the middle of the night his sleep came to an end, so he got up and said to his friend: "My friend, did you not call out to me? Why did I wake up? Did you not touch me? Why am I so disturbed? Did a god pass by? Why are my muscles trembling? Enkidu, my friend, I have had a dream-- and the dream I had was deeply disturbing(?) in the mountain gorges... the mountain fell down on me (us?) ... Wet(?)... like flies(?)..."
Pg 24
Dreams appeared in these tablets when Gilgamesh awoke in the middle of the night questioning the dreams the god Shamash sent him. Enkidu would analyze the dreams and tell Gilgamesh what good future they foresaw. In the Iliad similar actions took place. On the mists of battle, the Gods would send messages to the commanders telling them what to do. Dreams are a big part in the connection with the beings above in these novels and I wonder if in Gilgamesh they will be present all through the tale.
( quotes obtained from http://www.readprint.com/chapter-12898/Gilgamesh-Anonymous)
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