The Epic Mothers of Legendary Heroes - Essay Example

World Literature Ninsun and Thetis: The Epic Mothers of Legendary Heroes It should be remembered that in most mythological epics, the portrayal of many heroes and main characters cannot escape the fact that they have been guided or heavily influenced by their mothers. Throughout the epic myths from various cultures, maternal influence upon the main characters of a story have been pivotal to the plot, and also serves as a means to express or explore morals or lessons found in such characterization. In two mythological epics, the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh and the Greek Homeric tale of the Iliad, there are parts or accounts within the story that focus on the wisdom and actions that the mothers of such heroes have expressed and imparted. In the Sumerian epic, the hero Gilgamesh has his mother Ninsun to whom he seeks counsel to, while in the Greek account of the Iliad, Thetis always showed concern for her son Achilles as to his fate during the upcoming Trojan War. This paper will explore the similarities and contrasts with regards to how both Ninsun and Thetis interacted with the main characters, who are both heroes and sons in their eyes. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the demi-god ruler of Uruk. Gilgamesh was viewed as a mighty ruler and hero, having seemingly godlike or superhuman strength. It was because of Gilgamesh that the mighty walls of the city of Uruk were built, with the use of his own hands. Gilgamesh was a hero because of his various adventures and journeys that tested or challenged his strength, will, and physique. Before having to face his soon to be challenger and future friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh had to consult his mother, Ninsun, for her understanding of his two dreams that are related to such an event. Gilgamesh explained to his mother, Ninsun, the dreams that he had been experiencing. For Gilgamesh’s first dream, Ninsun interprets: This star of heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky; which you tried to lift, but found too heavy, when you tried to move it, it would not budge, and so you brought it to my feet; I made it for you, a goad and spur, and you were drawn as though to a woman. This is the strongest comrade, the one who brings help to his friend in his need. (Gilgamesh 1:15) It was because of Gilgamesh’s consultation, and the wisdom given from his mother Ninsun, that he was able to meet Enkidu and, after an initial confrontation of physical combat, they became the best of friends and comrades in arms throughout most of Gilgamesh’s quests. Ninsun helped Gilgamesh understand the dreams which he could not comprehend; and being a woman of great wisdom, she did so not only to aid Gilgamesh in his quest as a hero, but also because he was her son. It should also be noted that throughout the Sumerian epic, Gilgamesh was addressed many times as the son of Ninsun, which shows that much reverence is being given to his mother. In the story of the Iliad, much of the attention given to this Greek mythological epic is into the lives of various heroes from both Greek or Trojan side, and also how such characters relate with their fellow kin. One of the main heroic characters that are portrayed greatly throughout the story would be Achilles. Claimed to be a warrior without any other peer or equal in the battlefield, Achilles is perhaps the most fearsome and stalwart hero from the Greek side of the Trojan War. Achilles was a demi-god, while his mother, Thetis, is a sea nymph or a goddess of water; one of the fifty Nereids of the sea god, Proteus. As part of legend, it was said that Thetis wanted her son Achilles to be invulnerable from harm, that is why she dipped him in the River Styx while he was a small child. Only his heel was untouched by the water. This was his exposed weakness, which would be the cause of his eventual death in one of his future battles. Through an oracle, Thetis was aware that her son Achilles would either have two fates. The first of such fate is that Achilles would die young, but with a glorious end; while the other would have Achilles live a long, but dull and idle life. Thetis tried to avert such an event by trying to dress Achilles as a woman so that he would not be sent to war. Although, due to a ploy by the clever Odysseus, it eventually went to the path of fate in which Achilles would join the Trojan War and die gloriously young. Regardless, Thetis always visited her son during the Greek war against Troy and tried to counsel him as much as she can. Also, Thetis tried to help Achilles as much as possible, hoping that the prophecy of the oracle on her son’s death would be averted: Then Achilles went inside his tent and opened the lid of the strong chest which silver-footed Thetis had given him to take on board ship, and which she had filled with shirts, cloaks to keep out the cold, and good thick rugs. In this chest he had a cup of rare workmanship, from which no man but himself might drink, nor would he make offering from it to any other god save only to father Jove. (Iliad 16:12) There are many similarities that can be found between Ninsun and Thetis. It should be noted that both mothers were prominent deities in their own right, according to their mythological epics. Ninsun was considered to be a goddess of wisdom in Sumerian myth. In several lines in the Epic of Gilgamesh, she was addressed as “Ninsun, who is well-beloved and wise” (Gilgamesh 1:15). She was also described in this manner, “Ninsun is wise with deep knowledge” (Gilgamesh 2:29). The fact that she interpreted the two dreams of her son could make her a sort of prophetess or seer among the Sumerian deities. Likewise, in the Greek mythological epic of the Iliad, Thetis is considered as one of the many deities of the seas under the god Poseidon. Being one of the primordial deities of the sea, Thetis has the gift of shape shifting. Prior to the epic of the Iliad, Thetis was married to a Greek epic hero named Peleus, in which they gave birth to their son, Achilles. Since Thetis was part of the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses, she could make direct appeals to the greater deities in their domain of Mount Olympus. One illustration was during the early rages of her son Achilles, as he nursed his anger against Agamemnon: Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose from under the sea and went through great heaven with early morning to Olympus, where she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges (Iliad 1:42). It can be said that both Ninsun and Thetis used their status and abilities as deities to aid their sons on their journeys and battles, as well as to assist them in other matters. It is also interesting to note that both mothers, Ninsun and Thetis, are fully divine beings, while Gilgamesh and Achilles are only demi-gods that have traces of mortality. This would imply that both deity mothers hold a special kind of care for their sons since the element and reality of death exists for them. Ninsun and Thetis gave their utmost effort to prevent the seemingly impending deaths of their sons, as they would go through their heroic quests. Thus, when the death of Gilgamesh and Achilles happened, such a loss was considered as profound and terrible for both Ninsun and Thetis. The only contrast between Thetis and Ninsun is how far they went out of their way to help their sons. Ninsun only went as far as guiding Gilgamesh, by interpreting his dreams and merely imparting her wisdom as he went along in his quest. As far as directly playing a part in her son’s quests, Ninsun did not do much. Thetis, on the other hand, actively did what she could to prevent the early death of Achilles, or to ensure his safety as much as she can. For example, it was mentioned that Thetis would appeal to Zeus and Saturn to aid Achilles and help him in his plights during the Trojan War. Also, Thetis would provide Achilles with clothing, materials, weapons and armor of fine craftsmanship so that he will always be well equipped for the battles to come. Read More