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THE EPIC of GILGAMESH
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SETTING Gilgamesh is set in MESOPOTAMIA
which means, “land between two rivers.” ~5,000 years ago many major civilizations formed in this area in S.W. Asia The two rivers are the Tigris & the Euphrates. The area is known today as Iraq. Ask students to consider why an area between two rivers would be a hotbed for civilizations? - WATER!
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Also check out p.7 in the book!
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The first civilization in these areas was the Sumerians.
They developed CUNEIFORM which is the areas earliest form of writing!
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Note: Cuneiform means “wedge shaped.”
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Gilgamesh was a FOLK EPIC until it was written on twelve stone tablets in ~ 2000 B.C. Since then, the epic has been a LITERARY EPIC. It is written in the form of an EPIC POEM Gilgamesh of Uruk was a real Sumerian king who was believed to actually be half human, half god. Gilgamesh of Uruk is an EPIC HERO in this FOLKTALE.
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Themes : Main Idea or Message
Anguish & Loss Mortality & Immortality Heroism & Humility
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Epic Conventions Opening statement of theme:
“I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh” (19) Invocation: none Tone: serious In media res: story jumps right into life as a king
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Epic Conventions Cont…
Epic Similes: Gilgamesh is “terrifying like a great wild bull” (19) Epithets: The watchman of the woods” (19), “son of Uruk” (20), “the faithful companion” (20), Uruk of the strong walls” (31).
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Study Notes on Ancient World Literature & the Epic of Gilgamesh
THE END Study Notes on Ancient World Literature & the Epic of Gilgamesh
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