Analysis Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh And Odyssey Essay

Misogynistic is how we can describe the thought of early Western civilized culture. We find this evident in literatures from ancient history. However, ancient culture did not set their practice of misogyny into stone. There are some exceptional cases in the famous epic poems, the Epic of Gilgamesh of the Sumerians and Akkadians and the Odyssey from Homer of the Greeks. We all can agree that these epic poems or at most the authors did not view women with our modern perspective – equality among gender. However, we cannot deny that female characters helped set the path of the epic heroes’ journey to their goals. In these epic poems, women are portrayed as figures and themes of knowledge, motherhood, seduction. These themes and figures are shaped through interaction between women and heroes. These epic heroes seem to gain the majority of their knowledge from female characters. The authors of Gilgamesh and Odyssey both acknowledge females with intelligence. First, Lady Wildc ow Ninsun, Gilgamesh’s mother, is described in the Gilgamesh as, [†¦] clever and wise, Well versed in everything, Epic of Gilgamesh I.260-261 Ninsun plays a crucial role in interpreting Gilgamesh’s confusing dreams of his future companion Enkidu. Multiple times she has told Gilgamesh what to do with his dreams of Enkidu, You lifted it up, set it down at my feet, and I, Ninsun, 1 made it your equal. Like a wife you loved it, caressed and embraced it: a mighty comrade will come to you, and be his friendShow MoreRelatedA 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. 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