Are We Really So Different?
Hannah Schofield
First off, wow. I must admit I began the introduction with low expectations, but before long was taken completely by surprise when N. K. Sanders passionately stated, "It is perhaps surprising that anything so old as a story of the third millennium B.C. should still have the power to move, and still attract readers in the twentieth century A.D., and yet it does. (7)" His words proved true! One page after another, I found myself intertwined in the shockingly understandable and relatable themes of such an ancient epic.
While I did appreciate the powerful character of Gilgamesh and his obsession with being remembered and famed, my favorite character actually proved to be Enkidu. From the beginning of his tale, he is portrayed as a manly beast raised in the hills and "innocent of mankind (63)," but as his story advances we see that once he is exposed to humankind he still inevitably craves compassion and love. On page 65 it is stated, "....he longed for a comrade, for one who would understand his heart." At some point don't we all simply just want someone to understand our heart and love us for who we are just as the mighty character of Enkidu did?
Also, I absolutely adored the loyalty and mutual respect Gilgamesh and Enkidu housed for each other after their initial brawl to assert dominance. No matter if they were fighting the great Humbaba or facing death (in Enkidu's case) they always found genuine ways to encourage one or lift one another up. This deep feeling of empathy flowing between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is seen in the final moments of Enkidu's life when Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu's dying body. Thus far, this epic has showcased that even ancient writings of fictitious characters can directly relate to us- to our empathy, compassion, and loyalty for one another. So, to conclude, are we really so different than those of ancient times?
P.S. I commented on Gray's and Phillip's posts!
First off, wow. I must admit I began the introduction with low expectations, but before long was taken completely by surprise when N. K. Sanders passionately stated, "It is perhaps surprising that anything so old as a story of the third millennium B.C. should still have the power to move, and still attract readers in the twentieth century A.D., and yet it does. (7)" His words proved true! One page after another, I found myself intertwined in the shockingly understandable and relatable themes of such an ancient epic.
While I did appreciate the powerful character of Gilgamesh and his obsession with being remembered and famed, my favorite character actually proved to be Enkidu. From the beginning of his tale, he is portrayed as a manly beast raised in the hills and "innocent of mankind (63)," but as his story advances we see that once he is exposed to humankind he still inevitably craves compassion and love. On page 65 it is stated, "....he longed for a comrade, for one who would understand his heart." At some point don't we all simply just want someone to understand our heart and love us for who we are just as the mighty character of Enkidu did?
Also, I absolutely adored the loyalty and mutual respect Gilgamesh and Enkidu housed for each other after their initial brawl to assert dominance. No matter if they were fighting the great Humbaba or facing death (in Enkidu's case) they always found genuine ways to encourage one or lift one another up. This deep feeling of empathy flowing between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is seen in the final moments of Enkidu's life when Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu's dying body. Thus far, this epic has showcased that even ancient writings of fictitious characters can directly relate to us- to our empathy, compassion, and loyalty for one another. So, to conclude, are we really so different than those of ancient times?
P.S. I commented on Gray's and Phillip's posts!
In a world which, according to some, contains “no absolutes,” love and affection have maintained their status as “the definitive goodness” throughout every culture of every nation in all of world history. Human nature understands the absolutes and morality, regardless of how often people claim them to be social constructs; that’s why outlying cultures like the marauding Hun invaders and the Nazi party are universally abhorred as the most despicable as villains. However old a writing is, it doesn’t surprise me that it contains relatable themes—this stuff is simply encoded in our minds.
ReplyDeleteI get where you are coming from. Most young people today are complaining about not having "real friends" or trying to find someone, whether it be a partner or friend, who is loyal. We all want that empathy, compassion, and loyalty from someone, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu have that for one another. I find it fascinating how even though the way we do things today has changed, but our want for empathy, compassion, and loyalty has not.
ReplyDelete