The Epic of Gilgamesh

1. Overview:

Miraculously preserved on clay tablets deciphered only in the last century, the cycle of poems collected around the character of Gilgamesh, the great king of Uruk, tells of his long and arduous journey to the Spring of Youth, of his encounters with monsters and gods and of his friendship with Enkidu, the wild man from the hills. Also included in this epic is a legend of the Flood, which agrees with many details in the biblical story of Noah. As a mixture pure adventure, morality, and tragedy, the story of Gilgamesh and his futile search for immortality transcends the barriers of time, for it revolves around the fundamental forces and human problems common throughout the centuries.

Ignore the Introduction pages 7 –60.

2. Define Epic.

Also called epyllion an oral or written narrative poem with a romantic or mythological theme. Examples: Aeneid, Illiad, Odyssey, The Book of Job, Beowulf,

Epics have 6 main characteristics:

* the hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance

* the setting is vast, covering many nations, the world, or the universe

* the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage

* supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action

* a style of sustained elevation is used

* the poet retains a measure of objectivity

The hero generally participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries that try to defeat him in his journey, and returns home significantly transformed by his journey. The epic hero illustrates traits, performs deeds, and exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the society from which the epic originates. Many epic heroes are recurring characters in the legends of their native culture.

Conventions of Epics:

1. Praepositio: Opens by stating the theme or cause of the epic. This may take the form of a purpose (as in Milton, who proposed to justify the ways of God to men); of a question (as in the Iliad, where Homer asks the Muse which god it was who caused the war); or of a situation (as in the Song of Roland, with Charlemagne in Spain).

2. Invocation: Writer invokes a Muse, one of the nine daughters of Zeus. The poet prays to the Muses to provide him with divine inspiration to tell the story of a great hero. (This convention is obviously restricted to cultures which were influenced by Classical culture: the Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, or the Bhagavata Purana would obviously not contain this element)

3. In medias res: narrative opens in the middle of things, with the hero at his lowest point. Usually flashbacks show earlier portions of the story.

4. Enumeratio: Catalogues and genealogies are given. These long lists of objects, places, and people place the finite action of the epic within a broader, universal context. Often, the poet is also paying homage to the ancestors of audience members.

5. Epithet: Heavy use of repetition or stock phrases: e.g. rosy-fingered dawn and wine-dark sea.

3. Define: Tragic Hero

Aristotle once said that A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. An Aristotelian tragic hero must possess specific characteristics, five of which are below:

1. Nobility (of a noble birth) or wisdom (by virtue of birth).

2. Hamartia (translated as flaw or error in judgment). Either a mistake in the character actions or personality that leads to a downfall.

3. A reversal of fortune (peripeteia) brought about because of Hamartia.

4. The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the actions of the hero (anagnorisis)

5. The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.

Initially, the tragic hero should be neither better nor worse morally than normal people, in order to allow the audience to identify with him. This also introduces pity, which is crucial in tragedy, for if the hero was perfect we would either be outraged with their fate or not especially care due to their ideological superiority. If the hero was evil, then the audience would feel that he had gotten what he deserved. It is important to strike a balance.

Eventually the Aristotelian tragic hero dies a tragic death, having fallen from great heights and having made an irreversible mistake. The hero must courageously accept their death with honor.

4. Create Flash Cards

See pages 120-125

Create Flash Cards for characters and places in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Especially make cards for the following:

Be sure to look up additional information if pages are referenced.

On the FRONT

Develop a mnemonic device to remember defining characteristics.

Draw a picture or visual representation

On the BACK

Summarize or paraphrase key information.

5. View Map

See page 6.

6. Themes

Friendship, Ego, Immortality, Fame, Dreams, Restlessness, Journey, Battle, Death, Loss, Mourning

7. Advice for Reading

1. Write detailed journals

2. Define vocabulary terms in your own words

3. Look over study guide questions

4. Read in a quiet environment

5. Donít get caught up on parts you donít understand

6. Re-read and outline what happened in the chapter

7. Skim and look for vocabulary terms

8. Check & revise vocabulary definitions

9. Skim and answer study guide questions

10.Go over study guide & vocabulary answers with class

11.Adjust answers as needed

12.Respond to blog prompt

13.Review other student blog responses

14.Create & post relevant blog comments

15.Pursue any enrichment

16.Study vocabulary terms & questions

8. Online text with pictures

http://www.aina.org/books/eog/eog.htm

9. Reading Guide

Chapter 1: The Coming of Enkidu

Pages 62-69

Journal: Who is YOUR best friend? Why? Describe.

Vocabulary:

Tocsin, arrogance, comely, resolute, contend, firmament, cultivated, extol, harlot, wanton, beckoning, embrace, roused, radiant, jostled, thronged, exulted, anointed, ordained, grappled, fury

Study Guide Questions:

1. Describe the creation and purpose of Enkidu.

2. How is Enkidu civilized?

3. How does the narrator view sex?

4. Describe Gilgamesh.

5. Why do Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight?

6. How is the fight resolved?

7. How does the narrator view men & fighting?

Chapter 2: The Forrest Journey

Pages 70-84

Journal: Recount a time you felt special or were noticed for being exceptional. OR Recount a time you overcame a fear.

Vocabulary:

Decreed, supremacy, fugitive, idleness, leagues, sevenfold, torrent, clamber, endures, ferocious, supplicate, quay, encompass, succor, rancor, encompass, sacrifice, compassionate, allies, pommel, hilt, thirty score, enterprise, enduring, abhors, extinguished, exhortation, votaries, hierophants, roused, resolute, foolhardy, precipice, gorge, intolerable, ascended, ominous, enraged, quenched, garment, immolation, desolate, pyre, rallied, haste, distinction, devour, rival, execration, plunder

Study Guide Questions:

1. Why does Gilgamesh want to go to the Land of the Cedars?

2. Describe or Draw Humbaba.

3. How does Gilgamesh plan to become immortalized?

4. What gifts does Shamash give to Gilgamesh?

5. How does Ninsum pray & what does she request of Enkidu?

6. What warning and advice do the counselors give to Gilgamesh?

7. How & when does Gilgamesh encourage Enkidu?

8. How & when does Enkidu encourage Gilgamesh?

9. How is Humbaba defeated?

10.What does Humbaba ask & how does Gilgamesh respond?

11.How does the god Enlil respond?

Enrichment:

Record 3-5 memorable or re-occurring dreams/nightmares you have had. Then interpret them.

http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

http://dreaminterpretationsguide.com/dreamdictionary/

http://www.djmcadam.com/dreams.htm

Chapter 3: Ishtar and Gilgamesh, and the Death of Enkidu

Pages 85-96

Journal: Your thoughts on death.

Vocabulary:

Glorious, bridegroom, lapis lazuli, brazier, garrison, chafes, parapet, abominable, hideous, arrogance, courtesans, eminent, cubit, pivot, ferrule, wattle, obliterate, beseech, lament, acolytes, incantation, ecstasy, bailiff, marvelous, ominous, strewed, dirge

Study Guide Questions:

1. Who is Ishtar & what does she want from Gilgamesh?

2. What does Ishtar offer Gilgamesh?

3. Recount what happened to the previous six (6) lovers

4. What does Ishtar ask of Anu? What does Ishtar threaten to do?

5. What does Anu ask Ishtar?

6. Describe or Draw the Bull of Heaven.

7. What happens to the Bull?

8. How does Ishtar respond?

9. Summarize the dream Enkidu has.

10.Who does Enkidu curse? Why? How?

11.Describe hell and describe or draw the awful being that guards it.

12.How long did Enkidu lay in bed?

13.Recount the eulogy of Gilgamesh.

14.How does Gilgamesh grieve?

Enrichment: Write your own eulogy. http://dying.about.com/od/eulogies/ht/write_eulogy.htm

http://www.speech-topics-help.com/how-to-write-a-eulogy.html

Resources: Show examples of lapis lazuli.

Chapter 4: The Search for Everlasting Life

Pages 97-107

Journal: A trip or journey

Vocabulary:

Undismayed, leagues, hematite, cubits, bitumen, ferrules, ibex, permanence, allot

Study Guide Questions:

1. Who is Gilgamesh looking for? Why?

2. Describe or Draw Mashu Mountain & the Guardians of the pass.

3. Describe or chart the journey.

4. What advice does Siduri, the wine-maker, give Gilgamesh?

5. Describe the appearance of Gilgamesh.

6. What task does Urshanbi give Gilgamesh? Why?

7. How does Utnapishtim feel about permanence?

8. What will Utnapishtim reveal?

Enrichment:

Research the Fountain of Youth & create an informative poster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Youth

http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com/

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9801/13/life.extention/

Chapter 5: The Story of the Flood

Pages 108-113

Journal: A Dream OR A time you acted on intuition

Vocabulary:

Teemed, bellowed, aroused, clamor, intolerable, babel, exterminate, baroque, abundance, torrents, ordained, batten, stupor, curs, libation, myrtle, pestilence, henceforth.

Study Guide Questions:

1. Why did Enlil want to send a flood to destroy man?

2. How & Why was Utnapishtim saved?

3. Describe or draw & label the boat.

4. How many days was Utnapishtim afloat? How did he know when to go ashore?

5. How did the god Ea reprimand the god Enlil?

6. According to Ea what other options should Enlil have tried first?

7. How did Enlil make amends to Utnapishtim and his wife?

Enrichment:

Create a Chart that compares key elements of Gilgameshís Flood story with Noahís Flood story.

http://www.bibleontheweb.com/Bible.asp

http://www.religioustolerance.org/noah_com.htm

Chapter 6: The Return

Pages 114-117

Journal:

How do you rest & recharge?

OR A time you had to give up something you REALLY wanted.

Vocabulary:

Prevail, harborage, fillet, sluices, sloughed, toiled, precinct.

Study Guide Questions:

1. What challenge does Utnapishtim extend to Gilgamesh?

2. Why does Utnapishtim have his wife bake bread?

3. Before Gilamesh is sent home, what gifts are bestowed upon him?

4. Describe the third and final gift in detail.

5. How does Gilgamesh exhibit generosity?

6. Who or what steals the flower?

Final Project:

Create six (6) simple sketches outlining major events in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Then in small groups, create clay tablets of your own using air-dry clay and plastic utensils.

Unit Plan ” Jeremy VanDerKern, Keene High School 2008

Materials: White paper, black crayons, rolling pin, wax paper, air dry clay 10 lb boxes @ $7.00 per box. (1 box will make 6 tablets).