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Comparison Between Medea and the Epic of Giglamesh. How Love Affected the Characters Actions.

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Comparison Between Medea and the Epic of Giglamesh. How Love Affected the Characters Actions.
The Greatest Thing in Life

“The greatest thing in life is love, and be loved in return” (Eden Ahbez). “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (Cor 13:7). Love also influences all things. It is a powerful force that drives people to do things they would normally not do. In the news, there are several instances of murder in the name of love or robbing a bank because a person needs money for the person they love. There are also everyday instances of moving cross country for the person you love, leaving the person you love just to see them happy, or choosing another career path just to be with your significant other. In the literary works The Epic of Gilgamesh and Medea. Gilgamesh and Medea prove that love affects a person’s decisions. In The Epic of Gilgamesh¸ Gilgamesh is introduced as a terrifying, relentless ruler who cares not of his warriors. He sacrifices his warriors on a whim, rapes women, and takes anything that he desires, despite who they belong to. The people of Uruk complain, the gods hear them and decide they have to do something about Gilgamesh. The gods create Endiku to stand up to Gilgamesh. Endiku lives in the forest until a hunter sends a prostitute to tame him. The prostitute tells Endiku about the life in Uruk, and about Gilgamesh. Endiku immediately realizes that he needs to challenge this man. Gilgamesh has already had dreams about Endiku and how this man could potentially save Gilgamesh. When Endiku stands in Gilgamesh’s way of bedding another man’s wife, the two fight in the streets of Uruk. Gilgamesh eventually overpowers Endiku, and then they both forget their anger. They kiss and embrace as friends. Even Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, blesses the friendship and declares Endiku as her son’s faithful companion. The love of the two friends is unyielding. Gilgamesh hears about a demon, Humbaba, who guards the Cedar Forest, a place forbidden to mortals. Both men want to be famous, or die trying.

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