Things to Know about The Epic of Gilgamesh

It’s THE earliest surviving work of fiction, ever! Predates: The Iliad, the Odyssey, Old Testament

(oldest fragment dated to the 12th century, 1300-1100 B.C.) It’s 1000 years older than the Bible and The Iliad!

It’s said that oral poems about Gilgamesh predated these dates; bits and pieces from other tales referencing Gilgamesh are also in existence.

Crucial foundation myth of Mesopotamian society 80+ manuscripts and 11 tablets of the story exist

•Originally inscribed on clay tablets (using a reed pen) in wedge shaped characters known as “cuneiform”

•Cuneiform= “wedge-shaped” pictures/images that became writing that was translated and given a context by writers.

1. King in early days of civilization2. Learning how to conduct himself in society3. Limited by mortality and responsibility4. Suffers from a restless heart, quick-temper to violence, arrogance, selfishness5. 2/3 divine, 1/3 man6. Giant-size! Much larger than a normal man, accentuated muscles and masculine build; physically intimidating.

The Epic of Gilgamesh in its time provided a display of and a

proper example of the relationship between:

The individual and his/her duty in relation to his/her society

The way the gods relate to manWhat man owes the godsA king’s duty to his

city/country/people

Characters in The Epic

of Gilgamesh

Enkidu-created to be challenger and then companion of Gilgamesh

Originally lived with beasts of forest as a wild man

Mirror image of Gilgamesh2/3 man, 1/3 divine; the perfect

reciprocal to Gilgamesh.Created by Aruru from the

dust of the ground into a living being.

Physical Rivals Wilderness (Enkidu) vs Civilization (Gil)

Their relationship

Relief (Enkidu) to loneliness (Gil)

Gilgamesh learns from Enkidu about:

Sacrifice

Wisdom

Friendship

Shamash

God of the sun; judge and law giver; advised Gilgamesh he could not continue journey because no living man had ever been this far

taught Gilgamesh humility

Utnapishtim

Survivor of the flood

Narrates story of the deluge to Gilgamesh

Only mortal to be given eternal life

Utnapishtim teaches Gilgamesh:

Stoicism – indifference to pain or pleasure Resignation Responsibility A sense of self

IrkhallaGoddess of the underworldComes to Enkidu in dream of his death

SidurriGoddess of wineAdvice to Gil - Carpe Diem

True claim to immortality?

Contributions to his city

Elements of an Epic According to Abrams, an epic must have 5

features: Hero of great nations or universal imp. Vast canvas – setting Plot involves battles involving superhuman

deeds/long, difficult journeys Ex: Odysseus traveled 10 yrs.

Gods and/or other supernatural beings interested and involved

Ritualized, performative aspect, ceremonial, ordinary speech

Common Literary Conventions

Employed by Most Epic Poets Poet opens by stating theme and invoking a

Muse to inspire the poem Opens in medias res Catalogs of warriors, ships, and armies

included Extended formal speeches given by main

characters Poet makes frequent use of epic/extended

simile Use of repetition

We will pick up in Book VII but here is what has

happened in the epic up to this point:

Enkidu was created as another hero to perfectly balance Gilgamesh’s tyranny and arrogance over his people of Uruk. Enkidu is childlike where Gil. is violent Enkidu is peaceful and wild among animals

vs. Gilg. who is among humans, civilized.Shamhat (a priestess of Ishtar’s temple)

is sent to seduce Enkidu in the wilderness and bring him to Gilgamesh

•Enkidu is “tamed” by Shamhat’s love and passion; they make love and she introduces him to the self-awareness of a human being, not that of a wild animal.•Enkidu challenges Gilgamesh upon being in Uruk for the first time after hearing that Gilgamesh takes the virginity of every new bride in the city, as decreed by him and the gods.•Enkidu blocks the door to the marriage house where Gilgamesh is about to enter and the two fight and brawl through the streets of Uruk.

They fight and acknowledge each other as equals and become the deepest of friends Enkidu acknowledges Gilgamesh as the

superior human being and superior fighterGilgamesh’s “restless heart” is soon

satisfied by his need to kill Humbaba the monster of the Cedar Forest.

Gilgamesh decides to kill Humbaba and take Enkidu with him on the journey.

Along the journey to the Cedar Forest, Enkidu dreams bad omens about what they’re about to do; Gil. Ignores them.

Enkidu is held equally morally responsible for persuading Gilgamesh to slay the monster, therefore his own life becomes forfeit.

Even though the gods wanted the monster defeated, they didn’t want him destroyed and since Gilgamesh decided this for himself, there are always consequences.

To make matters worse, after returning to Uruk celebrated heroes and being physically admired by the people, Ishtar finds Gilgamesh attractive and desires him.

Ishtar asks Gilgamesh to be her lover and offers him herself, a goddess of love but Gilgamesh rejects her harshly.

As a woman scorned, Ishtar is not only petulant and vengeful; she is really a “monster” willing to sacrifice hundreds of people for the sake of her revenge.

She sends the Great Bull of Heaven against them and they defeat it.

To add insult to injury, they throw a piece of meat at Ishtar’s face.

The great gods are not to be mocked…

•The killing of Humbaba (Cedar Forest guardian/monster) and humiliation of Ishtar will have fatal consequences.•Enkidu has two dreams about dying…

THIS IS WHERE WE

WILL PICK UP WITH THE EPIC!