The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey are both held in great respect by both literary analysts and historians for their characterization of the hero and his companion, the images brought to mind when one of them are read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period in which they were written. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with just these three; in fact the comparability of these works also extends to information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast each other in writing style, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together the story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrasts with each other. Of all the many similarities between The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey, the sharing of the main character archetype may be considered the most significant similarity between the two epics. Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey, and Gilgamesh, the main character of the Epic of Gilgamesh, both fall into the character archetype of a hero, the man tasked with saving the day. This identity implies that the two characters had similar destinies and characteristics; both had the distinct traits of a hero. Both Odysseus and Gilgamesh were kings, strong, courageous, and blessed by the gods. Furthermore, they both angered a god and suffered the consequences. In the Odyssey, Odysseus had to change course to avoid Poseidon's wrath. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh angered Ishtar, which consequently led to Enkidu's death as punishment (“The Epic of Gilgamesh” 29). Both Gilgamesh and Odysseus had elements of arrogance in their personalities, and it was their arrogance that carried over and caused… half of paper… of these epics share many similarities. For example, the archetypes used, the types of settings, and the themes are just some of the many comparisons found between The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the most important similarity is that both of these epics are timeless; they have been passed down through generations over thousands of years and will continue to be read for many years to come. Works Cited Sandars, N.K., trans. The Epic of Gilgamesh. London: Penguin, 2006. Print. Publishing group. "The Writing Style of the Odyssey." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. March 12, 2014. Stump, Colleen Shea, Kevin Feldman, Joyce Armstrong Carroll, and Edward E. Wilson. "The epic." Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. By Kate Kinsella. Ed. Gold. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003. 975-1063. Press.