Connecting 3 Myths With Gilgamesh (7)

Myths Read: 1. The Sea-Monster 2. The Wedding Feast 3. Pegasus and the Chimaera

The Sea Monster: Perseus was flying one day and landed on the country of Ethipoans, were Cepheus was king. Cassiopeia was his queen and she was very beautiful. But she dared to claim herself as "more beautiful than the sea-nymphs". Mad and discouraged the nymphs sent a sea-monster. Cepheus was told by the oracle that his daughter Andromeda should be exposed and devoured by the monster. Perseus saw her chained and sad and came to give her support. But then the gigant monster appeared. Perseus defended Andromeda and fought with the monster. Finally he killed him, and in return won fame honor and Andromeda.

• This myth is simalr to Gilgamesh beacuse they both deal with heroes that kill a monster and in return gane great things, In this case Perseus fought the beast and won fame, honor, and the girl. And in Gilgameshs case it was Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they fought Huwawa and became famous and recognized.

The Wedding Feast: Perseus and Andromeda were going to get married, and they were in their wedding banquet feast. But as in every myth or real life story, there had to be a but. Suddenly Phineus entered raged and shouting saying that he was the one who should marry Andromeda. Cowardly Perseus run and hid. The guests started fighting and it was a commmotion. At the end Perseus turns into a mass of stone.

• I can compare this myuth to Gilgamesh beacuse as I was reading this myth I came to realize that in most of the myths I have read, no one ends happy or with the person they loved or wanted to be with. A great example is that Gilgamesh and Enkidu didnt end up together and neither did Perseus or Andromeda. Also in most of the stories there has to be a BUT that ruins it.

Pegasus and Chimaera: Pegasus was a winged horse that was formed when Perseus cut off Medusas head. Chimaera was a fearful monster, breathing fire and his body was composed with that of a lion and a goat. The king Iobates decided that his on-in law was the perfect to destroy him. He wanted him dead beacuse he was jealous of him. His name was Bellerophon, and they told him that for this mission he needed Pegasus. He went and looked for him, and he did. They became good partners and when it was time to fight Chimaera it was a piece of cake and they killed him. Iobates was very mad, so he assigned him several missions for him to get killed but it was impossible he was very strong. Then he gave Bellerophon his daughter in marriage. After they killed Pegasus and he died misserably too.

• This myth is similar to Gilgamesh beacuse like most warriors, Bellephorus had a companion, which was Pegasus, he was there for him in good and bad times and always helped him in everyting. In Gilgamesh the companion was clearly Enkidu, they fought together and did everything together, they where great friends. Also a good comparition is that they both died when their partner died. Maybe Gilgamesh did not die textually, but he died in soul. And so did Bellaphorus who died when Pegasus died.