The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Emperor s New Groove

The Babylonian work The Epic of Gilgamesh and Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove both feature similar main characters and story lines. While both works do not follow the same plot line, the characters Gilgamesh and Kuzco possessed similar personalities, traveling partners, and changes in character. The initial portrayal of the rulers in both works is significant. In both The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Emperor’s New Groove both kings are portrayed as arrogant kings who tyrannize their subjects. Both works also contain traveling partners for the respective kings. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is created and joins Gilgamesh on his journey. In comparison, Pacha, a commoner in The Emperor’s New Groove, accompanies Kuzco back to the palace. The significant transformation in character in both kings is momentous in both works. Gilgamesh becomes a respectable ruler, who is worthy of praise, whereas Kuzco realizes the importance of compassion towards others. In bot h The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Emperor’s New Groove, the respective rulers are portrayed as chauvinistic and arrogant. Gilgamesh, two-thirds divine and one-third mortal, was aware of his superiority and used this as reason to oppress his subjects and women. As the author of The Epic of Gilgamesh says, â€Å"Day and night his behavior was overbearing. He was the shepherd. He was their shepherd yet, powerful, superb†¦.Gilgamesh would not leave [young girls alone], the daughters of warriors, and the brides of young men.†