Saturday, June 1, 2019
Relationship Between Gods And Humanity :: essays research papers
The relationship between the gods and humanity in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are the same. In each saga, the gods seem to live nearby and are always present. Both epic poems portray humans as simply at the mercy of the gods. The gods feel that it is their duty to intervene if they feel that man is travelling off course from his destiny. However, the gods are not whole powerful. Each god has a certain(p) domain and cannot control another gods domain. All the gods including Zeus, the father of the gods, destiny Odysseus to be able to return home in The Odyssey. However, Poseiden, just one god, prevents Odysseus from returning. It is only when Poseiden is absent from Mt. Olympus that the other gods are able to take control and supporter Odysseus in returning home.Gilgamesh also has the same misconception that the gods are all powerful. After he and Enkidu kill the Bull of Heaven, the gods Anu, Enlil, Ea and Shamash convene and decide that one of the brothers must back up for their evil deed. Shamash, Gilgameshs protector, pleads with the other gods to spare his life. The other gods disregard Shamashs appeal and Enkidu dies. In each instance, one god is not able to travel to his agenda against the wishes of the other gods. Enkidus death evokes a disturbing thought in Gilgamesh. He finally realizes that he is mortal. He then goes about try to find the key to immortality. Gilgamesh first seeks out Utnapishtim, the only human to gain immortality. When Gilgamesh cannot pass the test of staying awake for seven days, Utnapishtim then gives him the plant "Old custody Are Young Again." Despite this second opportunity, Gilgamesh is not triumphant in his search for immortality because a serpent eats the plant and Gilgameshs opportunity is confounded forever. He does not realize that Enlil, the father of the gods, had already determined his destiny. It is clear from the events of the story that Gilgamesh was not to obtain everlasting life and it is no coincidence that all of his efforts fail in one way or another. This is another example of mans lack of control where the gods are concerned The Odyssey demonstrates how the gods favored certain men over others. When man had the gods "on his side," he was sure to complete whatever task was at hand.
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