Gilgamesh Epic Vs Epic

The genres of tragedy and epic have many similar components, however, they are not the same genre. Certain elements differentiate the two genres from each other. While both are very similar, they are both imitations of great deeds, heroes, and tragic suffering, the way these elements are conveyed is different. Tragedy portrays all this through action, while epic depicts all this through language alone. By reading and analyzing the Oresteia, Gilgamesh, and the Odyssey a reader is able to distinguish how the elements of plot, character, and performance of these two genres provide the reader with different experiences. When it comes to plot, epic and tragedy are similar in the basics but different in the complexities. Both maintain a unity of …show more content…
These two genres of literature are meant to be consumed in two different ways that ultimately affect the rest of the piece. Epic is meant to be spoken or read aloud. It is basically a long story that is being told or read to an audience. This allows for epic to be longer and more complex. This also allows for a large passage of time to take place. An epic can last as long as a whole series of tragedies, as long as it can be presented in one hearing. Epic is a purely narrative medium, limited only by the imagination of the poet and reader. An epic poet can easily narrate improbable feats and occurrences without disturbing the reader. It is because of its narrative style that epic has a larger-than-life quality to it. It can recount improbable tales because it is not going to be presented on stage, like in tragedy. Thus the degree of the irrational can be greater in epic because the only limit epic has is the imagination. Tragedy, however, is meant to be performed on stage. This limits the story-telling a bit. The story and actions need to be more credible than those in an epic. By being performed on stage, a tragedy cannot be as long as an epic. It also cannot portray many different events or get away with improbable events. It needs to be more focused and compact. Tragedy needs to be convincing, allowing the audience to see themselves in the roles of the characters presented. …show more content…
Both are similar, meant to be imitations of great deeds, heroes, and tragic suffering, the way these events are conveyed is different. Mainly, tragedy portrays all this through action, while epic depicts all this through language alone. By reading and analyzing the Oresteia, Gilgamesh, and the Odyssey a reader is able to distinguish how the elements of plot, character, and performance of these two genres provide the reader with different