IndexIntroductionDiscussionWorks CitedIntroductionThe Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both deal with characters who question their mortality due to death. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are motivated by achieving glory and honor. Both of these stories show how fame can interact with how your life in the underworld turns out. The more people remember you, the more likely you are to have a pleasant afterlife. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Discussion At the beginning of the epic, Gilgamesh believes that your heroic duties matter more in the afterlife, similar to Odysseus. Gilgamesh learned the difficult lesson that he too had to face the reality of his own death. Both of these heroes initially believe that through battle and legendary circumstances they will receive eternal glory. Both of these characters learned different things from dealing with death. After facing death, Gilgmesh and Odysseus discover that our successes are not what causes us to be remembered but through meaningful relationships with others. At first, Gilgamesh does not care about death. He thinks that if he dies doing something heroic, people will remember him forever. This for him is like living forever. Enkidu tries to convince Gilgamesh not to go to fight, but Gilgamesh replies: 'Who, my friend, can ascend to heaven?...But the days of the people are numbered...Here you are, even you, who fear death. What good is your courage... I must establish everlasting fame.' (The Epic of Gilgamesh, 20). Gilgamesh's goal is to gain eternal fame. He believes that going through this battle with Enkidu will be nothing but a great success, but everything changes after Enkidu's death. Enkidu's death makes Gilgamesh want to live forever. Gilgamesh wants to escape death and tries to learn from Utanapishtim how to live forever. Utnapishtim's suggestions to end his life as a careless man and his dreams of immortality and return to the life of humanity and peace. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh about the flood. He states that creation also contains the seed of death, meaning that death is inevitable. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh about the flood. Gilgamesh doesn't listen. He still wants to be immortal. Utnapishtim told him to stay awake for 6 nights. Gilgamesh sleeps and wakes and the seven days. His humanity made him fail the test, no man can stay awake that long. Utnapishtim tells him to give up his fantasy life and return home. After returning to Urk Gilgamesh achieved his greatest achievement. He built a civilization that will continue long after his death. He didn't need the heroic memory if the people at home simply remembered him for building the walls to protect them. Just like Gilgamesh, Odysseus had to face death. Visit the underworld with this crew. The first person he saw was his mother. While Odysseus sought glory and adventure, his family suffered at home. After talking to his mother, his desire for glory slowly turns into a desire to return home. Its central value shifts from glory to family honor. He wants to go home and protect his wife and son. Odysseus is then visited by the ghost of Achilles, who was sent to the Underworld after being killed in war. He is a king in the underworld for his own glory, but he has made it clear that he regrets his choice: “No winning words about death for me, shining Odysseus! By God, I would rather be a slave on earth to another man – “If he could go back, he would choose to live a long and forgettable life, rather than die young. Achilles sacrifices his pleasures of life for..