Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Tests, Allies, and Enemies

In both The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf, the heroes Beowulf and Gilgamesh enter a “Special World” that is a “sharp contrast with the Ordinary World” (Vogler 136). Gilgamesh, the protagonist of the story, begins in his familiar world known as the city of Uruk, but with a newly acquired ally, Enkidu ventures out into an unknown place, “the forest of cedars” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 48). Beowulf comes from Geatland and travels to the land of the Danes in order to prove himself against the evil Grendel. Both narratives produce a hero that travels to a “Special World,” seeking glory and honor, but along their journey undergo a test, gain valuable allies, and conquer their enemies.

Gilgamesh, from The Epic of Gilgamesh, is put “through a series of trials and challenges” in order to test himself (Vogler 136). After Gilgamesh undergoes his first test of strength, in turn yielding a new friendship and important ally Enkidu. “They kissed each other and made friends,” which solidified their bond (The Epic of Gilgamesh 47). Next, the two step-brothers Gilgamesh and Enkidu travel to a contrasting world compared to Uruk, to gain “eternal fame” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 49). Once they reached their testing ground, the forest of cedars, they encounter the forest guardian Humbaba. Gilgamesh fought the fearsome beast Humbaba and quickly realized when Humbaba was pleading for his life, that if he did not act, “The glories would be lost in the confusion” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 61).

In the tale Beowulf, Beowulf fights and kills Grendel in the first of three tests which “triggers a chain of threatening events” for the hero (Vogler 138). Grendel’s mother becomes “grief-racked and ravenous,” attacked the mead hall killing many Danes that were resting (Beowulf 920). Beowulf must travel to a Special World seeking Grendel’s mother when “The gap of danger where the demon waits is still unknown to” Beowulf (Beowulf 922). Unferth, an ally of Beowulf, lent him the “sword named Hrunting” in order to turn the battle to Beowulf’s favor (Beowulf 924). Conversely, the hero learns the “new rules” quickly when the sword lent to him fails to cut Grendel’s mother, and instead must utilize another sword in order to kill her (Vogler 139).

In conclusion, the heroes Gilgamesh and Beowulf both travel to strikingly different worlds in order to gain allies, battle enemies, and be tested. Gilgamesh traveled to the forest of cedars and sought out a battle with Humbaba with his step-brother Enkidu. Beowulf voyaged to defend the Danes against the evil Grendel with a troop of his own men, only to release an even more dangerous character, Grendel’s mother. Certainly Beowulf and Gilgamesh underwent similar stages, however, each story has a unique sequence that makes them diverse.

Works Cited

“Beowulf” Trans. Suzanne Akbari, The Norton Anthology of Literature. Shorter 3rd ed. Ed. Martin Puchner, et al. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 891-960. Print.

“The Epic of Gilgamesh” Trans. Benjamin R. Foster, The Norton Anthology of Literature. Shorter 3rd ed. Ed. Martin Puchner, et al. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 38-88. Print.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey. Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998. Print.