Brandon Scribner

6/22/18

Comp 201 World Literature

Dr. Victor Gomia

Final Paper

Gilgamesh set around the real historical figure who ruled over the Sumerian city-state of Uruk in

2700 b.c. Although the story is quite grand in stature, does it meet the criteria of being an epic poem?

Gilgamesh as a story meets several details that makes the story an epic.

First, the story has a deep origin as an oral story. The story was uncovered by British archeologist in the

form of thirteen stone tablets that the story was then woven from. This leads us to believe that before

that the story was strictly told through word of mouth until the Sumerian language was created.

Secondly, the story does consist of historical characters that previously existed which would be the real-

life king of Uruk that ruled around 2700 b.c. Known for his warrior like attributes and building of a

roughly six-mile-long stone wall, the king was only revered after death.

Thirdly, the story is set in a mythologized distant time, a time of beast like men created by gods live,

where giants live and protect the forest, and angry bulls can fall from the heavens to destroy cities.

Aside from the stories origins being of epic proportions the plot makes for my fourth point. Our hero

King Gilgamesh is a compound creation of two parts god and one-part man. Gilgamesh is said to have

intense strength and extreme beauty, but the downfall of this brute was this cruel nature and his

unsatisfiable selfish tendencies.

The fifth example of why Gilgamesh is an epic is that our hero completes tasks that no regular man

could complete. Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight not only Humbaba the demon giant that protects the Cedar

Forest from invaders seeking the eternal life elixir, but they also fight the Bull of Heaven as it was sent

by the gods to destroy Enkidu. Gilgamesh eventually scales the mountain that is said to hold a plant that

can grant eternal life, and before he can taste what he has sacrificed so much for a snake eats it.

The sixth reasoning goes without saying because our hero is a supernatural character and is combined

with similar reasonings. The appearance of multiple demons, creatures, gods, and angels bring in the

involvement of the supernatural and otherworldly. We do during the story see events from the

perspective of the gods above as they watch and toy with our heroes out of fear they will conquer too

much. As mentioned above the poet gives the reader multiple perspectives and we are in the know for

each event as they cascade to the feet of our heroes. This also adds to the vast setting, as we get to

visualize sitting with the gods as they discuss what to do about Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

Roughly over two-thousand-year difference in these stories, yet Sophocle’s Antigone and

Shakespeare’s Hamlet fall into the same category of character. As a tragic hero/heroine what makes

them similar and what sets them apart?

I would like to break down the similarities and differences into four categories. The physical properties

of each of our heroes. The emotional state and how the heroes control themselves emotionally. Mental

capacity and the ability to make clear and concise decisions when the time comes. Lastly, I would like to

take note of any poor use of skill and great skill-based achievements.

First up we have physical appearances, Antigone is said to have a boyish figure and lack positive physical

features. Antigone is described as scrawny, pale, and to be a brat. Envious of her much more beautiful

sister, Antigone she attempts to use what she has to her benefit but fails. Hamlet too is scrawny, pale,

and to some extent uncontrollable. Unlike the other men of his age, Hamlet is a book worm and from
the text does not actively work on building a muscular physique but rather is a student of university.

Both Antigone and Hamlet use their simple physiques to mask the intentions behind the curtain. They

appear to act normal in everyday life while inside their minds they are exploding with curiosity. Hamlet

from time to time even tells close friends and family that there is more than meets the eye with him.

Secondly, I would like to account for the emotional states of our hero and heroine. Although Antigone

and Hamlet both wield blank faces in public. Our heroes on the inside could not be any different.

Antigone is very anti melodramatic, she does not burst out in argument or lash our physically against her

oppressors, but rather she speaks only in turn. She begs for the king to reconsider her request to bury

her brother, and once declined she does not attempt to attack the king or even destroy an object in

anger. She instead is filled with sorrow and fire to complete her mission. Hamlet on the other hand is

very melodramatic. Hamlet lashes out rashly and dangerously. He throws things and can even go as far

as not thinking before he commits violence such as when Hamlet stabbed Polonius. As mentioned

before Antigone does show sign of envy that are apparent from the beginning when she is compared

with her sister, Ismene. Hamlet does not strike me as someone whom is very envious but rather the

intelligent Prince of Denmark would create envy in made even his Uncle because Hamlet is the rightful

heir to the throne.

Thirdly, moving we shall compare the mental states of our subjects. I would say that obsession and

persistence is the running theme of our heroes’ brains. Both Antigone and Hamlet have an undying need

to satisfy and answer the calling that has been laid before them. Antigone will stop at nothing to bury

her brother and give him the eternal rest that he deserves. Be damned or not Antigone gives her life to

the state for the opportunity to she her brothers body be buried properly. Hamlet goes against the state

in the form of his mother and uncle to prove that his king and father were murdered and replaced by

the murderer, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. Hamlet does show signs of mental illness with his wild mood
swings and deranged conversation of suicide and the afterlife. Antigone does show to have a much

healthier obsession than Hamlet.

Lastly, this is a small list of the skills or ignorance that make each character unique. Antigone chooses to

although not wielded with beauty, to try to seduce Haemon but alas she fails. Antigone also shows a

unique beauty of her own in the form of courage and solace as she stands against the state. Hamlet is an

extremely intelligent being and shows this with great contemplation of his father’s death, and the ability

to speak so philosophical at such a young age. Hamlet’s obsession is not only his downfall but also the

nation-state’s as well. Hamlet’s journey to prove the kings guilt ignores all happenings outside the city

walls. Thus, hurting his country in which is the rightful heir.