Gilgamesh and Ramayana
Gilgamesh and Ramayana
Introduction
Gilgamesh is one of the stories that we have learnt in the coursework which carries a lot that is necessary in day to day life. This essay will compare two stories, which include Ramayana, and Gilgamesh which we have learnt in the coursework. These two stories have similarities as well as differences in the mankind life, and that is the reason why they create a good comparison. In the first place, the two stories are remarkable because they were developed little after the coming of mankind. Evidence shows that the two stories give accounts on how culture differs in different cultural setting. These stories are necessary in human life simply because they help in analyzing how the world has evolved and developed from BC, AD, to present.
Discussion
The epic of Gilgamesh is believed to have developed back around 2400 B.C. This was long before The Ramayana because Ramayana came around 1000 B.C. with almost similar concepts to the prior stories in human life. I have come to learn that these two stories give an explanation on how people live in old days and what they valued most. The story of Gilgamesh is a symbolic poem which talked about the Mesopotamian culture with a deep meaning of the Sumerian people. On the other hand, I have learnt that Ramayana focused towards the culture of Indians. The two stories had a different focus, but their concern was the same because they focused on the cultures of the two societies making explanations on what or how people lived in ancient days. They are stories that help people develop a clear picture on how people behaved, lived, and developed their social life irrespective of challenges that existed, (Clinton et al. 2009).
Let us look at the issue of leadership in these two stories. I believe leadership is of importance in the society. The two stories are based on the issue of kingship where we are made to understand on how leaders manage to develop an environment that is a community based. I have learnt that good leaders are those who manage to lead people in a way that does not violate with the environment. Leaders must possess some qualities and characteristics in order to build a relationship that guides them have the best foundation within the society. According to the story of Gilgamesh and Rama, good leaders are those that are able to lead others in a direction that bears positive aspects to the society. What is vital in leadership is to have qualities such as being humble, protective, and royal, have power, and be ambitious among others in order to establish a well developed societal environment. What I have learnt about these two stories is that good leaders should be approved by the people in order to serve them in a manner that establishes their will, (Gardner, 2011).
The two stories are necessary in the current times because they give information that guides leaders on how they are supposed to take care of their people. We are able to learn about the past and compare with the present. These stories play a vital role in the current society because they give a foundation on what reliable leaders should be in any given society. The story of Ramayana gives us a clear understanding on how a great king towards the people. The reason why we still read these books and stories in the current times it’s because they were and are still interesting. It is through such interesting aspects we are able to learn on how people in the ancient times lived. These interesting situations help people learn how to live with one another thus they are appropriate in human life because they allow people understand how the environment is set and developed, (Fiero, 2006).
Another thing is that the stories are educative. We still read these stories because they have vital information that helps people open their mind in different angles. Leaders learn how to leave with people whom they are superior to. We are able to learn that, the reason why people of Ayodhya loved Rama is due to the fact that he was humble and saw him as a minor person compared to other people. Despite his royal background, Rama was not seen forcing his opinions rather he was a free person who respected other people’s opinion. I believe we still need these texts in day to day life simply because they help us understand how we should live with us. In my understanding, the story of Ramayana helps us get the true picture of an ideal leader. Rama was a humble person who was authoritative, and at the same time he was considerate to his people. This is the person who did not base all ruling to his thought but gave an open opinion, (Gardner, 2011).
The story of Gilgamesh and Ramayana is necessary in human life because they have a lot that people can learn from hence establish an environment that is conducive in all aspects. The two epic stories give an account about two different cultures but on how good leaders manage to establish an environment that suits people living in a given society setting. Apart from the leadership concept, we are able to learn different things that affect the current culture. The Ramayana and Gilgamesh stories help us learn how we are able to live in a given society. We see Rama reuniting with Sita irrespective of what happened. It was against the culture for a woman to sleep in another man’s house what Sita did. We are able to learn that societies set rules that govern human behaviors. Humans are bond to mistakes, and it is the reason why there must be rules and regulations that give directions on what should be done. We can learn that in order to have a powerful leader or king who can establish an environment appropriate for his people must have focused thought. He should also accept opinions from the rest in order to have a sound decision over something, (Clinton et al. 2009).
Part B
The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the old literature works that have an impact in the current setting of the human environment. This literature work was developed many years back and gives an account of a king and how he established his power in guiding his people. Gilgamesh poem is relevant in the current times because it gives leaders hope to cope with challenges they face when leading their people. We can see how the Gilgamesh king faces a lot of challenges in his life that affects on his roles towards the society. As a human, Gilgamesh faces a lot of trials that help him understand what he is required by the society. We can see that he applies his faults in developing strength which helps him survive within many trials he encounters in his life. Humans should act as Gilgamesh king simply because despite all challenges and trials he faces, he ensures that he has fought with them although at times, he fails, (Fiero, 2006).
We can see that the journey of this king starts at the city of Uruk where he comes across the monster. The monster is half beast and half man with the name Enkidu. In the beginning, a conflict comes across because the two men do not come into terms, but the issue is later solved having realized about their love. “There is not another like you” who is as strong as a wild ox” now you are raised above all men, and Enlil has given you the kingship. “So Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced, and their friendship was sealed” (Gardner, Pg 69). After realizing their stand, the two men come into terms and decide to work together. I have discovered that secret behind staying together and it is something that has affected most people in the society. This poem is educative although most people do not put consideration on what the story entails. The story starts with a panic aspect because the king is worried about his name and how people may talk about his style, (Clinton et al. 2009).
With the help of Enlil the god of the mountain, the king foresees his destination. This helps the reader understand what is set for the kingship. We are able to see how the king is mean and distraught because he takes a point of making his name after realizing he was a great man. As a leader is believe that he fails because it could be the work of his people to come up with his name and the title., This is where the king of Gilgamesh fails although it does not prevent him from succeeding in his plans. He takes the journey with Enkidu in the forest for the search of the place where the names of the famous are written. The dream of a king is to write his name so that it is remembered for many years. (Gardner, Pg. 77).
Gilgamesh the king undergoes several challenges to a point where he makes the sacrifice of a goat in order to get monster Humbaba in order to write his name. We later learn that although the king is helped by the forest god known as Shamash, he would not have had made a name but would have left it to the concerned parties in the society. Shamash is helpful to Gilgamesh simply because the king is supported on any side he wants plus given advice to do what he wants to accomplish in life. Evidence shows that Gilgamesh entirely relied on gods in order to plan and succeed in his activities. Two thirds of his activities were gods based while the rest portion of Gilgamesh was based on human nature. The life that the king goes through makes him in some instance forget he is the king and decide to enter into temptation. He then gets advice from Shamash on how to fight challenges that in some instances make him fail, (Fiero, 2006).
I have come to learn that to have power is something that requires knowledge, skills, strength, and sense of acceptance within the society in order to establish a foundation. Although Gilgamesh is a strong leader, there are those areas where given an open option from the society he would not have failed. He is seen as someone who is centrally based opinion something that affects his life. We are able to learn how leaders struggle in search of fame and challenges that in most times face whenever they encounter difficulties. One thing we ought to understand about appropriate leaders in the society is that they must be accepted by people and have approval in order to have a clear direction on the expected. We finally see that Gilgamesh succeeds although most part of his struggle is attacked by the power of Shamash, (Clinton et al. 2009).
In conclusion, these two stories are important in human setting. They give account on what happened in old days as well as educate those who want to become leaders in the society. It helps in getting a consultation about a given decision for the benefit of the society. The two literature works help people understand how they are supposed to tackle obstacles that come across their life. They are necessary in human development, and that is why they still remain the best literature writings that people rely when learning different concepts about life.
Reference:
Clinton, W. J., Irele, A. F. & James, H. (2009). The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume 2: W.W. Norton & Co
Fiero, G. K. (2006). The Humanistic Tradition Volume I: Prehistory to the Modern World. New York. McGraw Hill
Gardner, J. (2011). Gilgamesh: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
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