Activator: Four Corners INSTRUCTIONS: On a piece of paper, write the above statement and then indicate whether you 1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree Next, explain your opinion in paragraph form. Be sure to support your opinion with evidence and relevant examples. Immortality is a blessing, not a curse.

Activator: Four Corners INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the corners of the classroom are labeled 1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Disagree 4. Strongly Disagree When Ms. Mileham says to do so, move to the corner which signifies your opinion. Be sure to take your written response with you. Once everyone is in place, we will go around to each corner and hear from various corner representatives, so that we can hear the different perspectives and support for each. Immortality is a blessing, not a curse.

Epic of Gilgamesh An Introduction

Historical Context

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia means “the land between the rivers.” It is located in an agriculturally rich region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (also known as the “Fertile Crescent” or “cradle of civilizations”). It was located in the region known today as Iraq as well as parts of Iran.

Sumerian Society Sumeria was the first civilization in the region, therefore the first to have the Gilgamesh story. Sumerians were successful tradesmen and merchants. They were an advanced society that created the 12 month calendar, the first writing system (cuneiform), and ziggurats. The Sumerians worshipped numerous gods and goddesses. They believed that when one died, there was no afterlife, only emptiness.

Post-Sumerian Society Later, the Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Chaldeans took over the Sumerians’ cities and adopted their culture as their own. They all adapted their own version of the Epic of Gilgamesh as well.

Gilgamesh: A Real King While there is no evidence that the events in the epic actually happened, there was a Gilgamesh who ruled the Sumerian dynasty of Uruk in 2700 BCE. Kings during this time period were military leaders, builders, and protectors, who possessed qualities like strength, cunning, divine lineage, and immortality. Gilgamesh was one of the first epic heroes in oral tradition. As a result, he serves as an early model of the archetypal hero.

Importance of the Text The Epic of Gilgamesh, the first work of fiction ever recorded, was etched on 12 clay tablets in cuneiform around 2100 BCE. It is older than the Bible and the Homeric Epics. The epic was lost for over a thousand years until it was rediscovered in 1839 by 2 Englishmen in Ninevah, the once capital of the ancient Assyrian empire.

Epic Literature

Epic: A Definition An epic is a long narrative poem that tells about a larger-than-life hero, who represents the values of his society. The epic is the oldest literary form or genre.

Many epics share standard characteristics and formulas known as epic conventions, including: an invocation, or formal plea for aid, to a deity or some other spiritual power to inspire the poet the action beginning in medias res, meaning in the middle of things, and then a flashback that depicts events that took place before the narrative’s current time epic similes, which are elaborate, extended comparisons, relating the epic’s heroic events to simple, everyday events an elevated, formal style of writing passed down orally for generations by storytellers (bards) gods and goddesses having an active role in the story Conventions of an Epic

The Epic Hero Supernatural abilities or qualities Charged with a quest He receives help and hindrance from divine beings along the way Reaches a low point where he nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated Gains restitution, usually by regaining his rightful place Typically travels to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering The hero embodies the values of his culture

Epic of Gilgamesh Turn to page 139 in your tan literature books. As we read, pay particular attention to what makes this story “epic.” Also, be analyzing how Gilgamesh develops as an epic hero through the heroic cycle. Use your provided graphic organizer in order to do so.

Summarizer: Constructing Support Graphic Organizer Gilgamesh is an epic hero. EVIDENCE

Activator: Order of Events INSTRUCTIONS: Put the following events from the first section of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the correct order. A. Enkidu has a dream that he went to the Underworld and saw the emptiness, and dies a few days later. B. Gilgamesh and Enkidu disrespect the gods and goddesses, so they decree that one of them must die. C. Gilgamesh decides to go find Utnapishtim to find out the secret of everlasting life. D. Gilgamesh encounters lions, scorpions, and the 12 leagues of darkness before reaching the Garden of the Gods. E. The gods send Enkidu to punish Gilgamesh, but they end up becoming friends.