The Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay Essay - 982 Words

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from four thousand years ago, from ancient Mesopotamia. It was written on clay tablets, and even if some part of sentences were not able to be recovered, the tale is understable. It is the oldest Epic found, and still one of the most famous too. While the stories are made of different Gods, cows talking, King with perfect strength, giant monsters, it seems hard to find similarities between the Epic and the 21st century. Yet by reading closely the passage from the Epic of Gilgamesh, some aspects are quite similar in both societies. First this passage suggests that the human nature is violent. Second, it also shows that while the male gender possesses all the knowledge, the female gender cannot create anything on her own. In the first sentence of this passage, it is stipuled that Gilgamesh has in his blood two-third of divinity and one-third of human being. The God of Wisdom also made him perfect. Yet, in Tablet I of the Epic, Gilgamesh is killing citizen in the city of Uruk. There is no peace, because of him, and people complain to Anu. Anu told the birth goddess Aruru to create Enkidu, equal in strength, to rivalize with Gilgamesh. The ultimate purpose being to â€Å"[Let them contend with each other], that Uruk may have peace† (p. 6 line 93). Therefore, the Gods, including birth goddess Aruru and Anu wants peace. Even if Gilgamesh is two-third divine and therefore should want peace as well, he is also one-third human and kill people. ByShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay1721 Words   |  7 PagesMany texts, both ancient and modern, explore the possibilities of living forever. The Epic of Gilgamesh is just one of the stories examining this theory. The Gilgamesh tablets discuss many such issues pertinent to much of today’s population: what is the meaning of life? How will I be remembered? This age old topic is explored through many popular mediums today such as graphic novels and in the film industry. Additionally the immortal question is further studied in some scientific industries, toRead MoreEpic of Gilgamesh Essay1021 Words   |  5 PagesEpic of Gilgamesh . Mesopotamia, current day Iraq, derived its name from words meaning, the land between the rivers, which refers to the Tigris and Euphrates. This land was inhabited during the fourth millennium B.C.E. and throughout time transcended into political and military organizations. The significance of these cultures revolved around important warrior figures and their impact on society. The most important figure that will be discussed is the protagonist from The Epic of GilgameshRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay998 Words   |  4 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh has many important female characters, and from them we can learn how females were viewed in ancient Sumerian society. The women are not typecast with simply one personality and role but instead are shown with many facets. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, women are shown as essential beings who can be either loving and nurturing or incredibly powerful and scary. Ways to combat mortality is a main motive for Gilgamesh and he could do it simply through his children as most men do withRead MoreEssay on Epic of Gilgamesh971 Words   |  4 PagesTitle: Gilgamesh Type: Epic Author: Anonymous Theme: The central idea of Gilgamesh was the greed that he had to receive eternal life. Gilgamesh was a selfish person who was half god and half man and wanted to keep his youth after seeing Enkidu die. Gilgamesh knew his destiny was not to receive eternal life because he was half man. He decided to go against the odds to fight against not having eternal life searching for the secret despite what the Gods told him. Exposition: The storyRead MoreEssay The Epic of Gilgamesh905 Words   |  4 PagesEgypt and Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, were such rulers. They were powerful and cunning individuals, yet they let their own selfish nature ruin the ability to be a great leader. Gilgamesh was said to be the spawn of a god and a human woman. His handsome features, great strength, and cunning intelligence were supposedly the best in the land. Yet, he did not rule his kingdom with justice. He often took advantage of his citizens for his own personal pleasures. The following quote, â€Å"For Gilgamesh, the KingRead MoreThe Epic of Gilgamesh Essay1245 Words   |  5 Pagesfantastical places, lies the narrative of a profound friendship between two men. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian literary masterpiece, all of its events are centered around the development of the friendship between Gilgamesh, the tyrannical and stubborn king of Uruk, and the man created by the Gods to both complement and challenge his nature: Enkidu. Each of the three dream sequences in the epic represent different stages of Enkidu’s life – one portends his birth, another foretellsRead MoreThe Epic of Gilgamesh Essay1139 Words   |  5 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nb sp;nbsp;In the epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh embarks upon a quest seeking immortality as a means to peace, meaning, and joy in life. He tries to reach it in many different ways, each as unsuccessful as its predecessor. The two main types of immortality are physical and through the actions or achievements of ones life. Gilgamesh tries first through his actions, but then undergoes a transformation which leads him to next attempt physical immortality. He eventually comes back toRead MoreEpic of Gilgamesh Essay915 Words   |  4 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh is one of earliest known pieces of literature. Through years of storytelling and translation, The Epic of Gilgamesh became a timeless classic. This story is believed to have originated from Sumerian poems and legends about the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. Throughout the epic, many themes arose about women, love, and journeys and the one I would like to discuss is the theme of death. Also, I will discuss if Gilgamesh accepts morality at th e end of the story and the development ofRead MoreThe Epic of Gilgamesh Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesThere are many vices and virtues displayed in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a tale from ancient Babylon. Its hero, Gilgamesh the king of Uruk, is two-thirds god and one-third man. Throughout the epic, which consists of three stories, the character of Gilgamesh is developed. This is accomplished by changing the vices he possesses at the start of the epic, and replacing them with virtues he receives by its completion. â€Å"A virtue is a quality of righteousness, goodness, or moralRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay991 Words   |  4 Pages The epic of Gilgamesh is a tale that displays multiple didactic messages throughout the course of the story. These morally oriented instructions that shape the epic’s characters are very much applicable to our current lives. Messages like: the importance of perseverance, that drive that pushes you to excel, the down side of sexual passion when not tempered, and how we need to keep our pride under control, not letting it cloud our judgement. These principled themes, among others, are clearl y visible