Higher power(s)

As obvious as it is, one of the most important aspects in both Gilgamesh and Genesis is the role of a higher power, however the greatest difference in both of the authors concerns is that Genesis has a monotheistic view, and Gilgamesh has a polytheistic view. While this may not seem like a drastic or huge difference it greatly changes the aspect of how the story is formed. For in Gilgamesh he had to please many Gods and this altered his behavior for each ones wants, and in Genesis the people only had to please one God and therefore could behave one way at all times. In Genesis, God told Noah to build the ark and he did it because it was what his one God told him to do, however in Gilgamesh he would have had to make sure he wasn’t completely angering one of the other gods by performing a certain action, or at least he should have.
You can see it easily while looking at present day cultures. Those who are polytheistic commonly behave much differently than monotheistic cultures. It is not a planned difference it just happens due to the different expectations and rituals necessary in following the religion. In regards to the book it is the most important difference because it obviously changes the character list by having one god or many, and it changes the decisions and actions of those who are below the higher power. Also Gilgamesh received advice and help from many different Gods throughout his journey, if his story had been one set in a monotheistic culture it could have varied a great deal, as could Genesis for the creation and all humankind could have been very different had there been many Gods trying to agree.