Gilgamesh a Mesopotamian epic

September 8/9, 2011 BellWork: Can you think of a pair of “friends to the end” in a book or movie who share an important adventure together? How does the bond of their friendship help or hinder them? Describe what happens to each character and to their friendship as a result of the challenges they face together. } Your response needs to be 5 to 7 sentences

History Gilgamesh was an actual king who reigned over the city-state of Urud, in Sumer, sometime between 2700-2500 B.C. Gilgamesh became a legendary figure Tales grew and were probably recited in verse for centuries before they were recorded in writing. The earliest fragments date from about 2000 B.C.

Later the tale was repeated and reworked by writers from the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures. Some scholars believe that the epic was finally put into its most complete form by a scribe in 1300 B.C.

Final draft The story is based on 11 clay tablets containing cuneiform script. These tablets were among 25,000 discovered in modern Iraq, at Nineveh, in the buried ruins of the library of King Assurbanipal of Assyria

Example of Cuniform writing

Gilgamesh is . . . Two parts god and one part human Possesses both supernatural powers and human weakness He is the leader of his people and the builder of a great city, yet he suffers from excessive pride.

Original epic hero? Many scholars believe Gilgamesh serves as the archetype for hero myths that would appear later in Greece, India, and Persia

characters Gilgamesh: Protagonist; A strong and handsome man but a callow and tyrannical ruler; Possesses a potential for greatness that is realized through his friendship with Enkidu and his quest for renown and immorality. Enkidu: created by the gods as a rival and companion for Gilgamesh. He grew up outside civilization; his wisdom contrasts with and tempers Gilgamesh’s impetuosity.

characters Humbaba: A tusked ogre sent by Enlil to guard the sacred Forest of Cedar.

Important info. Vocabulary Literary Terms Austere Decreed Contortion Squall Literary Terms Foil Archetypes Homeric Simile Epic

Open your book to page 58

Exit Ticket After reading this excerpt, do you see Gilgamesh as a hero worthy of unqualified admiration? (2)What epic hero characteristic, if any, does Gilgamesh still need to posses?