International Journal of Language & Literature

The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey: An Examination of the Supernatural Elements
Naiara Sales Araújo

Abstract
This article examines the presence of supernatural elements in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey considering the historical context in which both works were written and the way each civilization dealt with non-human powers. As for methodology, a content analysis model is adopted in a bibliographic, exploratory, and qualitative approach. As theoretical support, we will build on the literary scholarship of David Damrosch (2016; 2021; 2022), Shawna Dolansky (2020), David Roas (2018), McNamara et al (2018) and others who have focused on this topic, and in particular, the relationship between men and gods and how this may represent historical and cultural aspects of ancient civilizations. The contributions of these scholars will raise discussion around fantastic narrative and its connection to world literature. In conclusion, we can infer that both The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are important literary registers that serve as invaluable windows into the past, offering a multidimensional view of how people lived, thought, and interacted in ancient times. They provide a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and human experiences that enrich our understanding of the world's history and the foundations of human society.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijll.v12n1a3