Phoenix Business Daily

What goals motivate Beowulf and Gilgamesh to go on their particular quest?

Why, in you opinion, is each willing to put himself at risk? What other motives surface during the course of each hero's struggle? After you have compared each character's goals, which hero has nobler goal?

Public Comments

1. Beowulf seems to be motivated by a code of a warrior; to defeat the beast, collect the reward and gain the respect and admiration of those around him. Gilgamesh however just does not seem to want to grow up; he rejects Ishtar as being his future wife saying he does not want to settle down, he just wants to hang out with Enkidu, and he is not prepared for Ishtar's revenge as this woman does not take rejection well at all.