Epics are based on heroic acts and adventures of the epic heroes who endure incredible challenges which illustrate their courage, power and willingness to overcome the challenges for the greater good. The two epics show the challenges faced by the heroes who face creatures that tend to be monsters. Moreover, it is believed that the monsters are godly or immortal to be killed by humans. The extent of creativity in both epics makes the reader long to know the victor and the strategy used by the heroes to slay the monsters. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast the two epics by considering the qualities that each piece possesses to qualify as an epic. Additionally, the paper describes the heroes and comparing the storylines and characters to determine the piece that is more epic.
It is clear that both pieces possess qualities that qualify them as epics. In Gilgamesh, the description of Humbaba, “They saw the great head of Humbaba, like a water buffalo’s bellowing down the path, his huge and clumsy legs, flailing arms… his single stroke could cut a cedar down and leave no mark on him.” (Mason, 2003). The description illustrates a monster that by the human power, bravery and willingness cannot be slain, but the hero overcomes his fear and slays the beast. In the Tolkien’s Battle of Pelennor Fields, the Witch-King is described as immortal although it is forecasted that he would die at the hands of a man. He threatens Eowyn that he will leave her in darkness naked as no man can kill him. The two description of immortals and the bravery of the heroes qualifies the pieces as epics.
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Description of the Heroes
In Gilgamesh, it is easier to identify the hero as the author names his epic by his hero’s name Gilgamesh. Humbaba was known to be a beast that guarded the cider forest but with the intention to build his name in the entire region; Gilgamesh faces the monster. The shivering and fear after witnessing the beast killing his friend make him filled with anger and slay the beast. The shivering and fear illustrate the notion of humanity in the story whereas the beast and bravery of the hero illustrate the divine powers of Gilgamesh. In the Tolkien’s Battle of Pelennor Fields, it is hard to identify the hero as there are many characters with the intention of killing the Witch-King.
Théoden courage to face the Witch-king is inhuman although he suffers mortal injuries, merry determination and contribution towards the slaying of the beast. The Beast claims that it cannot be killed by man and Eowyn who in my case is the unlikely hero since she is a woman and slays the beast. Her answer after the witch king's threats illustrates her heroic characters. She states, “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman…for living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him.” (Tolkien & Tolkien, 2004). She demonstrates her courage and determination to save Merry from imminent death.
Comparison
It is hard to determine the best epic due to the different ways of narration, but I believe that the Tolkien’s Battle of Pelennor Fields is a more epic than Gilgamesh since the reader is unaware of the main hero thus suspense and need to identify the hero. Gilgamesh setting is more direct and lacks the suspense required to get the reader involved as he/she reads the epic.
References
Mason, H. (2003). Gilgamesh: A verse narrative . Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Tolkien, J. R. R., & Tolkien, J. R. R. (2004). The return of the king: Being the third part of the Lord of the Rings . Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin.
