Topic 1 Notes
a In many works of literature, a physical journey - the literal movement from one place to
another - plays a central role. Compare and contrast the journeys undertaken in
Gilgamesh and The Odyssey and discuss how these journeys add to the meaning of the
work as a whole.
a Motivations
 Gilgamesh:
o Legacy/ fame
o Greed
o Everlasting life (death of Enkidu)
o Seeking something that is not rightfully his
 Odysseus
o Wanted to get back home
o Odysseus (testing who was loyal, being faithful, restoring his home) vs.
Telemachus (restore order and save his dad)
o Reclaiming something that was originally his
 Both have aspects of selfishness, but Odysseus was less selfish



b Obstacles
 Gilgamesh:
o Humbaba, finding plant of everlasting life
o Against the god’s plans (the bull)
o Going through the dark tunnel
 Odysseus:
o Poseidon and Zeus (storms)
o Suitors
o His identity (trying to keep it a secret to test people)
o Trojan War
 Gods were involved in both epics. Involved more negatively in Gilgamesh


c Results – society vs. individual success (what is revealed about heroism?)
 Gilgamesh:
o Not completely respected (goal not met?)
o Doesn’t get everlasting life
o Failure based on his standards
o Self-centered journey so results only affected him
o Became humble and depressed?
o Did not gain respect (died alone)
o Society: society thinks that heroism is selflessness. Doing things for the good of
the community
 Odysseus:
o Changed lives of all suitors
o He was successful (returned home and defeated suitors)
o Telemachus grew up throughout journey
o Hero: killed the suitors (portrayed in a bad way), loyal with crew (loyalty =
heroism), leadership qualities, cleverness/ wit
Gilgamesh- from home to other location
b Wanted to prove strength and power
b Set out for a goal and went on a journey on PURPOSE
b Goal: was reaching for something he wanted
b Fights destiny
Odyssey- trying to get home
b Already had power, just wanted to go home
b Set out for a goal and went on a journey because he HAD to
b Goal: trying to regain something he had
b Fulfilled destiny
Both:
b Themes: determination, overcoming obstacles
b Want power, but in different ways
c Allow for the developed analysis of Odysseus’s and Gilgamesh’s
personalities through their decisions and reactions to events that happen
during their journeys.
Topic 2 Notes
2.
Compare and contrast the roles of the gods and goddesses in their either helpful or
hurtful interactions with the human world in Gilgamesh and The Odyssey. To what
extent are the divine powers responsible for what happens to the mortals?
Odyssey
Influence:
-
Very prevalent in the humans lives
Almost human like themselves (had conversations etc.)
Athena: helpful
-
Acted as Odysseus’s “guardian”
Poseidon: hurtful
Gilgamesh
Influence:
-
Not as human like
More detached
Enlil: helpful :
Shamash: he sent wind to bind humbaba – helped Gilgamesh and enkidu defeat humbaba
Ishhtar: harmful: lead the bull of heaven to Uruk, caused widespread devastation (hint to
the power of gods) when Gilgamesh tried to kill the bull of heaven, she punished
Gilgamesh
-
Enkidu and Gilgamesh attacked and killed the bull without the help of the gods
Ea: helpful
Ninusn: mother of Gilgamesh
Urshanabi: helpful
-
Took Gilgamesh across the waters of death
*Gilgamesh wont marry (---) and so she sends a wild bull to hurt him
a Shamash helped Gilgamesh get sacrifices and gave Gilgamesh passage while Ishtar was denied
a
a
a
a
by Gilgamesh angering her which made her send a bull.
Ninsune helped interpret Gilgamesh’s dreams
Poseidon hurts with all the storms that drive Odysseus off course
Calypso hurt because she forced him to stay on the island
Athena was just always there for Odysseus

Zeus was neutral because he helped Athena and Poseidon
Topic 3 Notes
3. Compare and contrast the roles of the female characters, both mortal and divine, as
influences that either help or hurt the epic heroes in Gilgamesh and The Odyssey.
Giglamesh

Women are powerful mothers and have influence over all of the males (all Goddesses
though, no mortal women)
Shamat – prostitute that tames Enkidu by seducing him away from his natural state

Represents the sensuous refinements of culture and the sophisticated nature of sex
Siduri – first bars Gigalamesh out of the tavern but then opens up her world to him advising him
to cherish the pleasures of the world
The Odyssey

Entire story revolves around Odysseus returning to his wife Penelope (has some bit of
control over him, although is he coming home to regain control of her?)
Women are seen more subservient than the women in Giglamesh





Mothers
Subservient
Servants
Not complex
Seductresses
Athena is the opposite than the rest of the women




Dominant
Valuable advisor
Ends the story as she wants
helps him return to Ithaka
Kirike – turned the men into pigs
Kalypso – wouldn’t let Odysseus leave him
Goddesses are superior to males while mortal woman are inferior to both mortal men and Gods.
a
a
a
a
All females either hurt or helped
Athena and Ninsun (mother of Gilgamesh) helped (compare)
Circe and Harlet restricted (compare)
Kalypso and Ishtar both restricted and asked for the affection of their men (compare)
a
How are they involved; More in one than another? Talk about the prominence
a
Although their presence isn’t that bold, they did significantly contribute to the journeys of
the characters.