Comparing Stylistic Features of “Epic of Gilgamesh”, “The Iliad”, “One Thousand and One Nights”

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Stylistic Features

The writing style of “The Epic of Gilgamesh” is relatively simple. The story is just narrated. There are no special stylistic techniques. One distinct feature that can be noticed in the epic is repetition; the certain word combinations recur in the text, which is rather typical for epic writing. For example, He who saw the Deep, the country’s foundation/ who knew…, was wise in all manners! / Gilgamesh, who saw the Deep, the country’s foundation, /who knew…, was wise in all matters!” (Sinleqqiunninni, 1, 1).

Leadership

The three compared readings are filled with leaders of various kinds. “Epic of Gilgamesh” has one distinct leader Gilgamesh, who is brave, proud, sometimes cocky, egotistical, but loyal to his friend. “The Iliad” features Achilles, also reliable, but mostly merciless, robust and straightforward, and Agamemnon, the bully of a leader, who often acts selfishly. The king figure in “One Thousand and One Nights” is Shahryar; this character evolves through the course of the reading and transforms from a women-hater to a wise ruler. All of these leaders demonstrate explosive and fierce sides of a modern idea of a leader, yet they fail to fully bring out the humane and diplomatic side.

Immortality

In the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” the young king begins his quest to find immortality. As we can see, this desire has been a shared obsession with humankind since ancient times. Gilgamesh refused to obey the laws of our mortal nature; he was desperate to find a way to bend them. Other characters who found out about Gilgamesh’s desire tried to give him advice. Gilgamesh is taught that “there is no permanence.”

Monsters

“Epic of Gilgamesh” contains descriptions of actual monsters such as Humbaba, who is described as a creature who can change faces and wears seven layers of armor, as well as stories of beast-like people. An excellent example of one is Enkidu, who is half-animal and half-man. Enkidu is friends with Gilgamesh, yet he does not fully comprehend the life of people. Enkidu is somewhat confused; he keeps following both parts of his nature, which makes him explosive and quick to judge. For example, in the passage where he is cursing Shamhat, she responds with a note that if it was not for her, Enkidu’s friendship with Gilgamesh would have never happened. The response of Shamhat immediately changes Enkidu’s mind, and he begins to bless her. “The Iliad” and “One Thousand and One Nights” do not contain as many monsters, yet they clearly depict relationships between the “norm” and the “other” being quite strict when it comes to homogeneity and categorization.

Women

In the “Epic of Gilgamesh” Ninsun serves as a mother figure (similar to This, the mother of Achilles from “The Iliad”); she is devoted to her son Gilgamesh and is ready to help him in his endeavors. She assists with the killing of Humbaba. Ishtar’s rage is pivotal; she sends the Bull of Heaven to attack Gilgamesh. Shamhat brings the main characters together and also brings out the human half of Enkidu, teaching him how to live as a man.

In “One Thousand and One Nights,” women’s description fits the modern stereotype of the Muslim world. Women’s rights are limited; they have to obey their men and often are murdered for no particular reason. Yet, not all women are the same; for example, Scheherazade’s wisdom and wit help her survive and also make Shahryar a better ruler. Many female characters share somewhat envious and mean nature creating intrigues and evil plans, destroying other people’s happiness: “but as soon as we had fallen asleep, my sisters took us up in our bed, both myself and the young man, and threw us into the sea. The youth, being unable to swim, was drowned” (The Story of the First of the Three Ladies of Baghdad, 6, 12-14).

Women’s roles in “The Iliad” are similar to those in “Epic of Gilgamesh.” Women are not the main characters, yet they contribute to the story significantly.

Genre Expectations

“Epic of Gilgamesh” fits into the standard conventions of an epic defined by various ancient authors; an epic has to describe the adventures of a hero, his bravery and outstanding deeds. A hero is supposed to accomplish an incredible mission but does not have to be the example of perfect morals, which makes Gilgamesh a typical epic hero.

Most of the stories in “One Thousand and One Nights” are written in the genre of tales; they describe an adventure and a hero; they also tend to teach a particular lesson to the audience. Some of the stories of Scheherazade could be recognized as fantasy, fiction, drama, or tragicomedy.

An epic poem such as “The Iliad” is recognized due to its lengthy narrative nature and a description of a journey, events, and heroic deeds specific to the nation of origin. “The Iliad” begins with the following lines “Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another” (Homer 1, 1).

Emotion vs. Reason

In “The Iliad,” the characters known for their explosiveness are Achilles and Agamemnon; they often clash with others experiencing wrath, fear, pain, desire for revenge. In the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” such characters are Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Ishtar. Gilgamesh is young and cocky; he gets lost after Enkidu’s death. Ishtar is a jealous and selfish goddess, and Enkidu has a problem controlling his animalistic nature. In “One Thousand and One Nights,” the emotions that drive characters are often jealousy, envy, or greed.

Divine

All of the three readings have a lot of divine and supernatural characters, such as gods, demons, and djinns. These characters actively participate in the course of events. “The Iliad” and the “Epic of Gilgamesh” originate from polytheistic cultures; they show the hierarchy of gods, their feelings towards people, different opinions and goals. The only power higher than gods, “The Iliad,” is faith. In modern understanding, faith is tightly connected with God. Supernatural characters in “One Thousand and One Nights also vary; not all of them are evil.

Promises

Oaths are sacred in all of the three readings; the main characters treat their promises very seriously. Breaking promises is unacceptable and immoral. Keeping one’s word is considered honorable.

Sex

All of the three readings contain a lot of sexual moments. All of them are filled with a specific meaning. In “One Thousand and One Nights,” sex is a demonstration of connection. In “The Iliad” and the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” sex is viewed more casually, yet it impacts the characters, makes them change internally or externally.

Works Cited

Homer. The Iliad.2009. Web.

Sinleqqiunninni. Epic of Gilgamesh. 2013. Web.

The Story of the First of the Three Ladies of Baghdad.Bartleby. 2015. Web.

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