Heros and Sidekicks Eastern Western and Modern Mythology....

Heroes and their sidekicks have been a consistent motif in mythology from the very first civilization, to the ancient Greeks, and even to popular culture now. Three specific stories with very similar hero-sidekick themes are the relationships between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Achilles and Patroclus in the Iliad, and Batman and Robin in the graphic novel Death in the Family. This essay will explore the similarities and differences between these important pieces of literature. The three mythologies are quite different in relation to the three pairs’ relationships with each other. The Iliad takes place during the Heroic age on the Peloponnese and the kingdom of Troy. Achilles knew Patroclus since they were children.†¦show more content†¦Some interpret Gilgamesh’s relationship with Enkidu in a homosexual way as their relationship starts in a wrestling match followed by an embrace. There are also many other homoerotic embraces all throughou t the story. (SparkNotes Editors) Others interpret this as nothing more than a friendship. (SparkNotes Editors) They become so close that Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, adopts Enkidu as a son making Gilgamesh and Enkidu brothers. Enkidu’s purpose is to give Gilgamesh an equal and tone down his arrogance and selfish acts as king. Since Gilgamesh had a companion, he desired to go on an adventure and kill something for their own personal glory. They decided to go and kill Humbaba. Because Gilgamesh now had Enkidu, his focus shifted away from raping women and other cruel acts just as the elders prayed for. His subjects started to like Gilgamesh a lot more especially after he and Enkidu kill the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu dies to an illness cast from the gods shortly after they defeat the Bull of Heaven. (Daley) Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu’s death by casting away his royal garments and casting himself into the wilderness while wearing Enkidu’s clothing. Enkiduâ €™s death shockingly reminds Gilgamesh of his own mortality. Gilgamesh then goes on an adventure to find the secret of immortality. While Enkidu was alive, Gilgamesh was obsessed with being remembered forever. When Enkidu died, he became