The Epic of Gilgamesh to the Legend of King Arthur

Kevin A. Miller
Marjorie Gibbs Bond
Engl Comp & Vocab GE 103-D1
October 15th, 2010

The Epic of Gilgamesh to The Legend of King Arthur

    History has recorded many legends of archrivals, legends like Robin Hood vs. Prince John,
Joan of Arc vs. Charles VII , Prince Hector vs. Achilles, and the list goes on. Some are factual
recordings while others are fictional folklore. The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to
that of The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparisons, they
also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To
compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthur, one must first
know what the words "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem
about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended
on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure-filled plot
and is concerned with human problems such as honor, jealousy, war, and hatred. These contain
gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are
based on legends and myths. Secondly, "legend" consists of a protagonist (superhuman) who
manages to solve problems that a group of people have encountered. This too, consists of an
adventure filled plot. In becoming familiar with the words epic and legend, there is now a
better comprehension of these two stories.

    The Legend of King Arthur has similarities to The Epic of Gilgames. King Arthur's closest
companion was Merlin and Gilgamesh's closest companion was Enkidu. Neither Gilgamesh nor
Arthur forgot their friends. Enkidu only came in contact with Gilgamesh after becoming a man.
Enkidu released animals from the hunter's traps when they were caught, so to make him a man,
the prostitute Shamhat slept with him, so that the animals would be ashamed of and reject... [continues]

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