GilgameshGilgamesha Mesopotamian epica Mesopotamian epic

September 8/9, 2011September 8/9, 2011

BellWork:BellWork:Can you think of a pair of “friends to the Can you think of a pair of “friends to the end” in a book or movie who share an end” in a book or movie who share an important adventure together? How does important adventure together? How does the bond of their friendship help or hinder the bond of their friendship help or hinder them? Describe what happens to each them? Describe what happens to each character and to their friendship as a result character and to their friendship as a result of the challenges they face together. of the challenges they face together.

} } Your response needs to be 5 to 7 Your response needs to be 5 to 7 sentencessentences

HistoryHistory

Gilgamesh was an actual king who reigned Gilgamesh was an actual king who reigned over the city-state of Urud, in Sumer, over the city-state of Urud, in Sumer, sometime between 2700-2500 B.C.sometime between 2700-2500 B.C.

Gilgamesh became a legendary figureGilgamesh became a legendary figure Tales grew and were probably recited in Tales grew and were probably recited in

verse for centuries before they were verse for centuries before they were recorded in writing.recorded in writing.

The earliest fragments date from about 2000 The earliest fragments date from about 2000 B.C. B.C.

Later the tale was repeated and reworked Later the tale was repeated and reworked by writers from the Sumerian, Babylonian, by writers from the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures. and Assyrian cultures.

Some scholars believe that the epic was Some scholars believe that the epic was finally put into its most complete form by a finally put into its most complete form by a scribe in 1300 B.C.scribe in 1300 B.C.

Final draftFinal draft

The story is based on 11 clay tablets The story is based on 11 clay tablets containing cuneiform script.containing cuneiform script.

These tablets were among 25,000 These tablets were among 25,000 discovered in modern Iraq, at Nineveh, in discovered in modern Iraq, at Nineveh, in the buried ruins of the library of King the buried ruins of the library of King Assurbanipal of AssyriaAssurbanipal of Assyria

Example of Cuniform writingExample of Cuniform writing

Gilgamesh is . . .Gilgamesh is . . .

Two parts god and one part humanTwo parts god and one part human Possesses both supernatural powers and Possesses both supernatural powers and

human weaknesshuman weakness He is the leader of his people and the He is the leader of his people and the

builder of a great city, yet he suffers from builder of a great city, yet he suffers from excessive pride.excessive pride.

Original epic hero?Original epic hero?

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

characterscharacters

Gilgamesh: Protagonist; A strong and handsome Gilgamesh: Protagonist; A strong and handsome man but a callow and tyrannical ruler; Possesses man but a callow and tyrannical ruler; Possesses a potential for greatness that is realized through a potential for greatness that is realized through his friendship with Enkidu and his quest for his friendship with Enkidu and his quest for renown and immorality. renown and immorality.

Enkidu: created by the gods as a rival and Enkidu: created by the gods as a rival and companion for Gilgamesh. He grew up outside companion for Gilgamesh. He grew up outside civilization; his wisdom contrasts with and tempers civilization; his wisdom contrasts with and tempers Gilgamesh’s impetuosity.Gilgamesh’s impetuosity.

characterscharacters

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

Important info.Important info.

VocabularyVocabulary1.1. AustereAustere

2.2. DecreedDecreed

3.3. ContortionContortion

4.4. SquallSquall

Literary TermsLiterary Terms1.1. FoilFoil

2.2. ArchetypesArchetypes

3.3. Homeric SimileHomeric Simile

4.4. EpicEpic

Open your book to page 58Open your book to page 58

Exit TicketExit Ticket

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