After searching for eternal life, the end for Gilgamesh came. He was not to live forever. The final chapter is similar to an obituary, praising him as a ruler. The adventures he had, the dangers overcome, and long travels did not save him from the death he feared the most.
The memorium once again explained that his destiny was to rule the people, not live forever. Destiny and fate worked together to form his life. It was the will of Enlil, the father of the gods, that he would be king. How his subjects were treated was up to Gilgamesh. His final deadly destiny was decided by the daemon Namtar, implying that he died by sickness or disease. It was a natural death, but nothing seems to indicate if he was young or old at the time of passing.
His body might have died, but the name of Gilgamesh lived long after. No other hero would take his place for several generations. It could be possible, according to the memorium, that no one will ever be greater. There is a general list of his achievements, followed by a reminder that his body is buried and never to return. He is gone. What he left behind continues.
Reviewing the story as a whole, there were many inconsistencies. He was supposed to be a great king, but the first chapter presented him as a tyrant ruler. The people complained of his mistreatments and gods worried he could not be controlled. A powerful antagonist was created to bring him under control, but turned into a great friend. This friend's death humbled Gilgamesh more than his life. Taking a dangerous journey to find out how to never die reinforced his unavoidable mortality . It didn't matter that he was more god than human. Even the most famous narrative about the flood was not about him, although his name is forever linked to the story. These examples of a confused narrative aren't harmful, but add layers of meaning. They leave room for contemplating how life rarely is predictable, and heroes have human flaws.
writing Assignment:
Think back on the whole of the story, and write an essay on any topic that examines meaning. What is the narrative trying to say? How does it say it?
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Saturday, July 5, 2014
The Last Secret
The hero might be strong, beautiful, leader of a nation, and even quarter-god. None of that matters in the end. He will still die like other mortals. That is the great lesson learned from the long journey. It isn't the answer he wanted, but its the one he must eventually accept. No special abilities can be granted or learned to stop the destiny shared by all humanity.
At first Gilgamesh refused to believe that the Faraway husband and wife could do nothing to save him from death. In answer to his constant questioning, they gave him a test to stay awake for six days and seven nights. There is no proof they could have given him eternal life if he would have succeeded. Most likely it was a lesson to teach him the nature of mortal bodies. Scientific research is inconclusive how long a person can go without sleep. In cases where a person has gone more than a week without sleep, they lose body and brain control as thinking and reactions slow down. They can't even go completely without sleep during those times, as they drift into half consciousness and become relatively non-responsive.
Unlike lab experiments or traumatic life episodes, there is no outside stimulus to stay awake. Gigamesh must prove on his own that he can go without sleep. Knowing that he won't trust them and needing proof, the Faraway wife bakes break each day of the test. Utnapishtim, the immortal hero of the flood, gives him a nudge to awaken after six and a half days. As expected the now awake traveler denies he had fallen asleep, but the bread tells another tale. The different conditions of the breads acts as more than identifying the length of days. Each one can be considered a metaphor for each generation of mortal life. It ranges from the very old "crusty" twilight years, to the fresh new born not fully developed. The bread of life can become stale or worse; moldy and ready to be thrown out.
Having learned a sad lesson, one last secret is given. There is a plant located at the bottom of the Faraway ocean with medicine like qualities. Any mortal who uses it can become young once more. Gilgamesh becomes excited by the hope of once again gaining eternal life by returning to a youthful state. Harvesting the plant from the bottom of the ocean, he calls it "The Old Men are Young Again," and starts to head home. It is an old story similar to the Fountain of Youth, where a special medicine or natural remedy returns the body to physical fitness. Like all such tales, this one ends up a false hope. On the trip home the plant is stolen by a serpent who sheds its skin and becomes young. The great secret of eternal life, even if no more than an extension of that life, is once again out of the grasp of mortals. Death is the one monster that the great hero cannot conquer. He has no control and owns no weapons strong enough to hold back mortality.
Returning home, Gilgamesh shows the ocean ferryman the great walled city built from burnt brick. With a renewed sense of accomplishment, having stopped mourning for the loss of his friend and again washed and put on clean clothes, he proudly points out all sections of the city he helped build. Death cannot be avoided, but there is one way to remain immortal for other generations. Going back to his original idea, he writes the story of his life and adventures on a stone wall for all to read. Others will remember him long after the body dies. Assuming the stories were true, he obviously succeeded. Reading this commentary on the text is evidence that Gilgamesh lives on.
The final chapter will be a memorial to his life.
Writing Assignments:
Think back on the stories of Gilgamesh in the epic. Make up a tale about the man. What other adventures might he have encountered? Fill in the gap somewhere in his story. Whatever is written, he must be recognizable as the same character.
The character of Gilgamesh changes and develops with each adventure. He is not a flat personality. Review the text and trace how each story effects or transforms him. Was the prologue description accurate? Describe the differences between the man at the end of the tales and the one at the start.
Pick three of the gods in the epic. Write a story based on them interacting with humanity. Don't forget to include the differences in personality and powers they possess. Will they help or hurt humanity by their actions? How will humans react to this interference?
Vocabulary:
fleece
banish
fillet
virtue
terrace
At first Gilgamesh refused to believe that the Faraway husband and wife could do nothing to save him from death. In answer to his constant questioning, they gave him a test to stay awake for six days and seven nights. There is no proof they could have given him eternal life if he would have succeeded. Most likely it was a lesson to teach him the nature of mortal bodies. Scientific research is inconclusive how long a person can go without sleep. In cases where a person has gone more than a week without sleep, they lose body and brain control as thinking and reactions slow down. They can't even go completely without sleep during those times, as they drift into half consciousness and become relatively non-responsive.
Unlike lab experiments or traumatic life episodes, there is no outside stimulus to stay awake. Gigamesh must prove on his own that he can go without sleep. Knowing that he won't trust them and needing proof, the Faraway wife bakes break each day of the test. Utnapishtim, the immortal hero of the flood, gives him a nudge to awaken after six and a half days. As expected the now awake traveler denies he had fallen asleep, but the bread tells another tale. The different conditions of the breads acts as more than identifying the length of days. Each one can be considered a metaphor for each generation of mortal life. It ranges from the very old "crusty" twilight years, to the fresh new born not fully developed. The bread of life can become stale or worse; moldy and ready to be thrown out.
Having learned a sad lesson, one last secret is given. There is a plant located at the bottom of the Faraway ocean with medicine like qualities. Any mortal who uses it can become young once more. Gilgamesh becomes excited by the hope of once again gaining eternal life by returning to a youthful state. Harvesting the plant from the bottom of the ocean, he calls it "The Old Men are Young Again," and starts to head home. It is an old story similar to the Fountain of Youth, where a special medicine or natural remedy returns the body to physical fitness. Like all such tales, this one ends up a false hope. On the trip home the plant is stolen by a serpent who sheds its skin and becomes young. The great secret of eternal life, even if no more than an extension of that life, is once again out of the grasp of mortals. Death is the one monster that the great hero cannot conquer. He has no control and owns no weapons strong enough to hold back mortality.
Returning home, Gilgamesh shows the ocean ferryman the great walled city built from burnt brick. With a renewed sense of accomplishment, having stopped mourning for the loss of his friend and again washed and put on clean clothes, he proudly points out all sections of the city he helped build. Death cannot be avoided, but there is one way to remain immortal for other generations. Going back to his original idea, he writes the story of his life and adventures on a stone wall for all to read. Others will remember him long after the body dies. Assuming the stories were true, he obviously succeeded. Reading this commentary on the text is evidence that Gilgamesh lives on.
The final chapter will be a memorial to his life.
Writing Assignments:
Think back on the stories of Gilgamesh in the epic. Make up a tale about the man. What other adventures might he have encountered? Fill in the gap somewhere in his story. Whatever is written, he must be recognizable as the same character.
The character of Gilgamesh changes and develops with each adventure. He is not a flat personality. Review the text and trace how each story effects or transforms him. Was the prologue description accurate? Describe the differences between the man at the end of the tales and the one at the start.
Pick three of the gods in the epic. Write a story based on them interacting with humanity. Don't forget to include the differences in personality and powers they possess. Will they help or hurt humanity by their actions? How will humans react to this interference?
Vocabulary:
fleece
banish
fillet
virtue
terrace
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Man of the Flood
Probably the most talked about part of the Gilgamesh story is the flood narrative, because it has many similarities to "Noah" in the Bible. Neither of these are the only such stories, although the most well known. They can be found all over the world in every continent other than Antarctica where no civilization ever existed. It doesn't matter if a world wide flood ever existed while studying the texts. What they say about the hopes and fears of the people who told them can say a lot about humanity as a whole.
For most of the ancient world the only way to survive was living next to a large body of flowing water. Among the biggest bodies of fresh running water include the Nile in Egypt, the Tigris-Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Mississippi in North America, and the Amazon in South America. From Egypt and Mesopotamia sprang the first great cities. Water from the great rivers was used to irrigate the land for needed crops. This food supply allowed for large gatherings of people along narrow strips of land. Life giving waters that brought food also had flood seasons. It is from the combined factors of eventual overpopulation and annual flooding that most likely inspired this part of the Gilgamesh story.
All stories come from the experience of humans. We are all born, eat, drink, love, fear, and eventually die. Therefore, it is no surprise that stories have familiar themes, even if never having read them before. A world destroying flood might not be part of a modern story, but the dangers of the natural world continue. The news is filled with disasters; including earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods. Knowing something terrible might happen to anyone makes stories like world wide floods relatable.
The gods in the Gilgamesh story have human qualities that end up causing the flood. Enlil heard the clamor of a growing population and, like a neighbor upset by the sounds of a party while trying to sleep, decided to silence the masses. His solution was to wipe them out with water, drowning the whole of them. Although all the gods agreed to the plan, Ea went behind his back and warned Utnapishtim in a dream to save himself and his family. Once the damage was done, the goddess Ishtar lamented the loss of so many lives as a bad choice. The rest of the gods became angry with Enlil and shunned him. Ae spoke up with the news he had saved at least a few, and warned that people should be judged and punished as individuals. If not that, then at least in ways that a large number can still survive. Anger brought the deluge, but loyalty and remorse saved future generations.
The hero of the story, Utnapishtim, was not a free agent. He would have died with the rest if it wasn't for the dream Ae gave him. That wasn't enough to save him. He was also told how to build the giant boat, what to put in them, the family and friends he was allowed to bring inside, and then hope he would float. His greatest achievements were organization and survival.
The reason Gilgamesh searched for Utnapishtim was to ask him how he and his wife gained eternal life. He had hoped to learn some secret that would keep death away. There was no repeatable formula in the answer. Because of the remorse felt by the gods, Enlil who brought the flood put his hand on their foreheads and blessed them with eternal life. They were then taken into a far away land to live. Chances of the same happening to Gilgamesh, no matter how much he wished not to die, were most likely impossible. The trip might have been a waste of time.
Writing Assignments:
Think of a character in a story that is already written or plan to write. Make up a life story from birth to death, tracing the most important moments. Make it an autobiography from the character's point of view.
Write of a moment in your own life. Why is it memorable? In what way did it change you as a person? It doesn't have to be tragic or a big event. It might even be comical.
Find a story in the news. Again, it doesn't have to be tragic or a big event. Use it as a backdrop for a story. Put yourself or a made up character into the middle of the action.
Vocabulary:
pitch
bullucks
firmament
transgression
torrent
tempest
For most of the ancient world the only way to survive was living next to a large body of flowing water. Among the biggest bodies of fresh running water include the Nile in Egypt, the Tigris-Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Mississippi in North America, and the Amazon in South America. From Egypt and Mesopotamia sprang the first great cities. Water from the great rivers was used to irrigate the land for needed crops. This food supply allowed for large gatherings of people along narrow strips of land. Life giving waters that brought food also had flood seasons. It is from the combined factors of eventual overpopulation and annual flooding that most likely inspired this part of the Gilgamesh story.
All stories come from the experience of humans. We are all born, eat, drink, love, fear, and eventually die. Therefore, it is no surprise that stories have familiar themes, even if never having read them before. A world destroying flood might not be part of a modern story, but the dangers of the natural world continue. The news is filled with disasters; including earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods. Knowing something terrible might happen to anyone makes stories like world wide floods relatable.
The gods in the Gilgamesh story have human qualities that end up causing the flood. Enlil heard the clamor of a growing population and, like a neighbor upset by the sounds of a party while trying to sleep, decided to silence the masses. His solution was to wipe them out with water, drowning the whole of them. Although all the gods agreed to the plan, Ea went behind his back and warned Utnapishtim in a dream to save himself and his family. Once the damage was done, the goddess Ishtar lamented the loss of so many lives as a bad choice. The rest of the gods became angry with Enlil and shunned him. Ae spoke up with the news he had saved at least a few, and warned that people should be judged and punished as individuals. If not that, then at least in ways that a large number can still survive. Anger brought the deluge, but loyalty and remorse saved future generations.
The hero of the story, Utnapishtim, was not a free agent. He would have died with the rest if it wasn't for the dream Ae gave him. That wasn't enough to save him. He was also told how to build the giant boat, what to put in them, the family and friends he was allowed to bring inside, and then hope he would float. His greatest achievements were organization and survival.
The reason Gilgamesh searched for Utnapishtim was to ask him how he and his wife gained eternal life. He had hoped to learn some secret that would keep death away. There was no repeatable formula in the answer. Because of the remorse felt by the gods, Enlil who brought the flood put his hand on their foreheads and blessed them with eternal life. They were then taken into a far away land to live. Chances of the same happening to Gilgamesh, no matter how much he wished not to die, were most likely impossible. The trip might have been a waste of time.
Writing Assignments:
Think of a character in a story that is already written or plan to write. Make up a life story from birth to death, tracing the most important moments. Make it an autobiography from the character's point of view.
Write of a moment in your own life. Why is it memorable? In what way did it change you as a person? It doesn't have to be tragic or a big event. It might even be comical.
Find a story in the news. Again, it doesn't have to be tragic or a big event. Use it as a backdrop for a story. Put yourself or a made up character into the middle of the action.
Vocabulary:
pitch
bullucks
firmament
transgression
torrent
tempest
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Searching for Eternal Life
His friend dead, Gilgamesh becomes depressed and obsessed over how to live forever. Most of his time is spent hunting and wandering as he fears death. Grief refuses to leave his emotions. In this condition he decides to look for Utnapishtim, who is the only mortal known to have entered the land of the gods, and therefore eternal life. Thinking that finding him might also bring rescue from eventual death, Gilgamesh goes on a long journey.
Before the journey gets very far, his life already comes under threat of death. A past dream warned him of deadly lions waiting among the mountain pass. He goes to sleep and then wakes up to find loins surrounding him on all sides. Of course, he is a heroic figure and easily kills them with axe and sword. Eventually he reaches two great mountains guarded by scorpion-men. Behind them is the entrance to the underworld leading to the afterlife. He discusses the reasons for passage and the two beasts let him through with a warning. The long cave that leads to the afterlife has absolutely no light.
The description of walking through the cave is a group of repetitions stating, "when he had gone one league the darkness became thick around him, for there was no light, he could see none nothing ahead and nothing behind him." The next sentence starts with, "After two leagues," and continues with the same words as the first. This continues almost the same until about the ninth league when a wind is felt. By the eleventh and twelfth league the sun bursts into sight. Although the reading might sound boring, the effect is as if the reader traveled with Gilgamesh in the lonely, repetitive , and frightening pitch blackness. Wanting to get to the end is exactly what the character is supposed to have desired.
What is found on the other side most likely represents what the ancient writer thought of heaven. The scene is of a wonderful garden full of brilliant plants with delightful fruits. Perhaps a modern reader might picture the Garden of Eden, another symbol of innocents and perpetual life. Here the gods live away from any mortals. To have any person, three quarters god though they might be, come here is beyond belief to them. At least one of them thinks he has come as a thief, until they learn it is Gilgamesh that stands before them. Then they are confused because of his dirty and depressed condition.
Again the story uses textual repetition as Gilgamesh explains to each god he meets why his, "cheeks so starved," and "face so drawn." When he does explain that his purpose is to find eternal life, they can't take him seriously. This angers him and he lashes out, smashing apart the boat that could take him to the man he wanted to see. After rebuilding the boat with fresh wood, a ferryman takes him across the vast ocean. There he finds Utnapishtim who questions the wisdom of the journey since, according to him, those who live and die already have their fate decided.
Symbols are thick in this chapter, starting with the wandering of Gilgamesh aimlessly in the world like each mortal not sure of the reason for existence. There is the sudden danger of lions surrounding him in the mountain pass similar to the struggles in life to survive. The dark cave with no light is a kind of death, although finding the light represents hope there can be something beyond the feared nothing. Each scene, description, repetition, and character has a meaning within this part of the story. There is no one true interpretation because the reader is free to supply their own. More than likely, the original meanings have been lost in time when generations of editors and contributors added layers. Trying to decipher these meanings can bring a deeper and more satisfying reading experience.
Writing assignments:
Read the chapter more than once and write out an argument for each possible symbol in the story. What do they represent? Why do they represent that? Can there be other possible interpretations?
Write a symbolic story about any topic. Be sure to remember what your symbols represent. Have someone read it and come up with what they think are the meanings. Compare what was intended with what the reader came up with.
What are some big questions about life? Imagine having a discussion with yourself about those questions, asking and answering them. Don't worry if the answers are not final. Explore thoughts, feelings, possibilities, and why they are so hard to answer.
Vocabulary:
assembly
journey
leagues
despair
fate
cubit
Before the journey gets very far, his life already comes under threat of death. A past dream warned him of deadly lions waiting among the mountain pass. He goes to sleep and then wakes up to find loins surrounding him on all sides. Of course, he is a heroic figure and easily kills them with axe and sword. Eventually he reaches two great mountains guarded by scorpion-men. Behind them is the entrance to the underworld leading to the afterlife. He discusses the reasons for passage and the two beasts let him through with a warning. The long cave that leads to the afterlife has absolutely no light.
The description of walking through the cave is a group of repetitions stating, "when he had gone one league the darkness became thick around him, for there was no light, he could see none nothing ahead and nothing behind him." The next sentence starts with, "After two leagues," and continues with the same words as the first. This continues almost the same until about the ninth league when a wind is felt. By the eleventh and twelfth league the sun bursts into sight. Although the reading might sound boring, the effect is as if the reader traveled with Gilgamesh in the lonely, repetitive , and frightening pitch blackness. Wanting to get to the end is exactly what the character is supposed to have desired.
What is found on the other side most likely represents what the ancient writer thought of heaven. The scene is of a wonderful garden full of brilliant plants with delightful fruits. Perhaps a modern reader might picture the Garden of Eden, another symbol of innocents and perpetual life. Here the gods live away from any mortals. To have any person, three quarters god though they might be, come here is beyond belief to them. At least one of them thinks he has come as a thief, until they learn it is Gilgamesh that stands before them. Then they are confused because of his dirty and depressed condition.
Again the story uses textual repetition as Gilgamesh explains to each god he meets why his, "cheeks so starved," and "face so drawn." When he does explain that his purpose is to find eternal life, they can't take him seriously. This angers him and he lashes out, smashing apart the boat that could take him to the man he wanted to see. After rebuilding the boat with fresh wood, a ferryman takes him across the vast ocean. There he finds Utnapishtim who questions the wisdom of the journey since, according to him, those who live and die already have their fate decided.
Symbols are thick in this chapter, starting with the wandering of Gilgamesh aimlessly in the world like each mortal not sure of the reason for existence. There is the sudden danger of lions surrounding him in the mountain pass similar to the struggles in life to survive. The dark cave with no light is a kind of death, although finding the light represents hope there can be something beyond the feared nothing. Each scene, description, repetition, and character has a meaning within this part of the story. There is no one true interpretation because the reader is free to supply their own. More than likely, the original meanings have been lost in time when generations of editors and contributors added layers. Trying to decipher these meanings can bring a deeper and more satisfying reading experience.
Writing assignments:
Read the chapter more than once and write out an argument for each possible symbol in the story. What do they represent? Why do they represent that? Can there be other possible interpretations?
Write a symbolic story about any topic. Be sure to remember what your symbols represent. Have someone read it and come up with what they think are the meanings. Compare what was intended with what the reader came up with.
What are some big questions about life? Imagine having a discussion with yourself about those questions, asking and answering them. Don't worry if the answers are not final. Explore thoughts, feelings, possibilities, and why they are so hard to answer.
Vocabulary:
assembly
journey
leagues
despair
fate
cubit
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Love and Death
Nothing is worse, the saying goes, than a woman scorned. That is unless that woman happened to be a goddess. Gilgamesh is once again pictured as a strong, cultured, heroic figure. Such an image catches the eye of Ishtar, the great goddess that has been watching his adventures. She goes to him and asks him to become her lover. From the start Gilgamesh wants no part of her. He lists all the things she has done to her former boyfriends and refuses to become one of them.
The reaction of Ishtar should have been expected. No matter how much a mortal is half-god, a full one cannot be rebuffed without consequences. In this case she sends the Bull of Heaven. In context the beast is supposed to invincible and creates Earthquakes. Of course, the two heroes who destroyed the other monster in the forest once again steps up to take on seeming invincible forces. Protecting themselves and the people of Uruk against the destruction, Gilgamesh and Enkidu once again wins against impossible odds.
At first it seems the heroes have continued a winning streak, but the goddess isn't done in her fury. She takes up her cause and the defeat of the Bull of Heaven with the father of gods. He becomes equally as enraged for destroying two god-like creatures. At this point the story turns completely around. Everything that was positive becomes negative, with the gods cursing Enkidu with deathly sickness. He begins cursing having found Uruk and the woman who taught him the ways of civilization. That quickly reverses when he thinks how much happiness and glory leaving the nature living brought.
The death of Enkidu changes Gilgamesh as he throws off the beautiful robes and kingly attire. Foreshadowing Hercules generations later, he puts on the skin of a lion. His last physical reminder for the once great friend and sidekick is a large and ornate statue. This death will change him into a more introspective character after years of fighting, lording over his subjects, and making a name for himself. Death of a loved one will do that. Finding out nothing is permanent can even humble the strongest.
All the twist and turns from highs and lows or unexpected responses take an otherwise cliche story and makes it profound. You don't expect the main character to turn down a goddess' request for a relationship. Instead of the glory of once again defeating a threat, it turns into personal tragedy. The story asks profound questions about consequences for actions, no matter how well intentioned. Telling the truth can bring death, but is there really any other alternative? Gilgamesh was placed in an uncompromising situation. Sometimes good stories come from dark events beyond the control of the character. It certainly changes the tone and seriousness of the later chapters.
Writing Assignment:
Think of a time when things seemed to be going great. Contrast that with a time when it seemed things went bad or wrong. Take both of those and write about the differences in feeling, circumstances, and how it changed perspectives.
Write a poem or short memorial in honor of someone who has died.
Instead of a love letter, imagine writing a letter to someone who you respect and yet can't accept proposals of affection. Consider if such a letter should ever be written or why.
Vocabulary:
lamentations
abominable
threshold
misery
veil
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Confronting the Forest Monster
Dreams can be powerful. A few famous novels started as dreams, including Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and the vampire Twilight series. There are two sets of dreams, both in Gilgamesh and real life. Sleep often brings images from the subconscious until waking up. In rare instances, a person can have lucid dreams where they become aware its all in the mind. Sometimes that awareness allows for a certain amount of freedom to shape what happens in the dream. The other kind is daydreaming, where the conscious is fully in control. It is often described as wandering thoughts concerned with possible hopes about the future.
Both kinds of dreams mix for the great hero as he contemplates the next move toward fame and immortality. Gilgamesh is already the great king of Uruk, and an unreported dream confirms that as his destiny. His friend Enkidu acted as the dream interpreter. Despite achieving kingship, Gilgamesh becomes bored with idleness. He wants something more and turns his mind to The Land of the Living where a great Monster Humbaba watches over a cedar forest. He decides killing the great god-beast will bring him fame and immortality alongside heroes of the past. Each step of the dangerous mission brings more sleeping dreams, guiding his decisions. There is a connection between achieving goals and understanding the subconscious messages. They both work together in defeating the forest monster.
Despite his thirst for fame in the great hunt, Gilgamesh had lots of help. It came from the encouragement of the Uruk town council, the prayers of his mortal mother, and Shamash the Sun deity. Of course, his great friend Enkidu stood by his side the whole time. At first Enkidu was reluctant to go on this journey to defeat a seemingly invincible foe, but at the end it was him that convinced Gilgamesh to finish what was intended. Both helped the other whenever fear, exhaustion, or reservations almost ended the struggle.
Although the battle is against a monster, there is the possibility more is at stake. Similar to the culturally raised Gilgamesh meeting with the wild lived Enkidu, it is civilization's struggle to dominate nature. Strangely, when Gilgamesh considers showing mercy to the great forest beast, Enkidu reminds him of why they took the journey and struck the first blow. They then began to level the cedars as a final act of total victory. Despite the odds, nature can be overcome.
Sweet as the victory might have been, it comes with a heavy price. Gilgamesh interpreted his desire to destroy Humbaba as coming from the highest god Enlil. That assumption appears to have been wrong, because Enlil who formed the Earth and the monster becomes angry. He curses the men and gave the power that belonged only to Humbaba to other aggressive forces. Nature can be defeated, but other dangers will take its place that might be worse.
The most ancient of stories dealt with the interaction of mortals with gods. The great Homeric epics of the Iliad and Odyssey are primarily religious texts. Modern readers can become lost or disoriented by the unfamiliar pantheon of divine characters that may or may not have been worshipped at the time of the writing. They make good stories no matter what is actually believed. It might be best to check the back of a book translation for a glossary. Read the chapters twice if necessary, getting a view of the strange names and landscape before concentrating on the story. Recognizing the context of when the names appear might be all that is needed before more clarity the next time.
Writing Assignments:
Keep a journal next to the bed and write down any dreams first thing after waking up. Do this for at least a week. Take any of the dreams, or combination of them, and write a story based on the dreams picked.
Imagine having to leave home and live outside of civilization. Study survival techniques. What struggles might be encountered? Compare the pros and cons of living in civilization and in the wild.
Come up with a great adventure that a hero must take. Don't make the hero all powerful. Add friends, family, and other allies who must be relied on to help. Maybe consider times when others did the same for you.
Vocabulary:
destiny
councilor
quench
execration
rancour
hierophants
Both kinds of dreams mix for the great hero as he contemplates the next move toward fame and immortality. Gilgamesh is already the great king of Uruk, and an unreported dream confirms that as his destiny. His friend Enkidu acted as the dream interpreter. Despite achieving kingship, Gilgamesh becomes bored with idleness. He wants something more and turns his mind to The Land of the Living where a great Monster Humbaba watches over a cedar forest. He decides killing the great god-beast will bring him fame and immortality alongside heroes of the past. Each step of the dangerous mission brings more sleeping dreams, guiding his decisions. There is a connection between achieving goals and understanding the subconscious messages. They both work together in defeating the forest monster.
Despite his thirst for fame in the great hunt, Gilgamesh had lots of help. It came from the encouragement of the Uruk town council, the prayers of his mortal mother, and Shamash the Sun deity. Of course, his great friend Enkidu stood by his side the whole time. At first Enkidu was reluctant to go on this journey to defeat a seemingly invincible foe, but at the end it was him that convinced Gilgamesh to finish what was intended. Both helped the other whenever fear, exhaustion, or reservations almost ended the struggle.
Although the battle is against a monster, there is the possibility more is at stake. Similar to the culturally raised Gilgamesh meeting with the wild lived Enkidu, it is civilization's struggle to dominate nature. Strangely, when Gilgamesh considers showing mercy to the great forest beast, Enkidu reminds him of why they took the journey and struck the first blow. They then began to level the cedars as a final act of total victory. Despite the odds, nature can be overcome.
Sweet as the victory might have been, it comes with a heavy price. Gilgamesh interpreted his desire to destroy Humbaba as coming from the highest god Enlil. That assumption appears to have been wrong, because Enlil who formed the Earth and the monster becomes angry. He curses the men and gave the power that belonged only to Humbaba to other aggressive forces. Nature can be defeated, but other dangers will take its place that might be worse.
The most ancient of stories dealt with the interaction of mortals with gods. The great Homeric epics of the Iliad and Odyssey are primarily religious texts. Modern readers can become lost or disoriented by the unfamiliar pantheon of divine characters that may or may not have been worshipped at the time of the writing. They make good stories no matter what is actually believed. It might be best to check the back of a book translation for a glossary. Read the chapters twice if necessary, getting a view of the strange names and landscape before concentrating on the story. Recognizing the context of when the names appear might be all that is needed before more clarity the next time.
Writing Assignments:
Keep a journal next to the bed and write down any dreams first thing after waking up. Do this for at least a week. Take any of the dreams, or combination of them, and write a story based on the dreams picked.
Imagine having to leave home and live outside of civilization. Study survival techniques. What struggles might be encountered? Compare the pros and cons of living in civilization and in the wild.
Come up with a great adventure that a hero must take. Don't make the hero all powerful. Add friends, family, and other allies who must be relied on to help. Maybe consider times when others did the same for you.
Vocabulary:
destiny
councilor
quench
execration
rancour
hierophants
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Foes and Friends
Despite the gushing description of Gilgamesh in the prologue, the first chapter makes him an evil king. He is no King Arthur of the Round Table fighting for peace, justice, and chivalry. Instead he forces his men to fight and work until physical exhaustion, and the women treated as his to personally do with as he pleases. There is no sign of the hero. Even the gods of the city he rules start to wonder what to do with such a formidable man.
They decide to make him an equal that will fight him and hopefully tame the out of control king. What comes of the creation is the wild man Enkidu who lives in the forest. There is a long tradition of these kind of nature living humans. His body is covered in hair and he eats only grass and drinks milk. Modern legends of such men-beasts can be found in the stories of Bigfoot or the Yeti who wonder in forests just out of reach. Powerful as he might be, Enkidu is innocent and ignorant of the ways of humankind. He prefers the company of beasts that his lifestyle imitates. His ways are in contrast to the cultured urbanites who eat bread and drink wine, both foods that take time to make.
Recognizing the potential for Enkidu to take on Gilgamesh as a defense, the people of Uruk send a woman to tame him. There are slight similarities to the Adam and Eve story, where the man is tempted by the woman. Eventually through the charms of a beautiful temptress, Enkidu gives up paradise in search of the city. He hears of the great Gilgamesh and wishes to confront this powerful equal. The hopes of the people of Uruk are in this once wild man. When he enters the city, everyone is amazed by his powerful build and wonder if this is the one who can save them.
Notice the repetition of dialogue. One character says something, and another reports it to an important figure or god in hopes of transmitting these words to those who can use them. Remember, this story came from ancient oral tradition. There could have been singing and instruments as part of the story telling. Like stanzas of music, there can be repetitions of words for emphasis on ideas or images. This can help the listener recognize what the artist considered important. It can also act as a bridge between two scenes where location has changed. Either way, the point is for the reader or listener to remember.
Something unexpected happens when the two powerful characters final end up battling with each other. Enkidu was created as an antagonist to the great Gilgamesh who abused his position as king. They fight a tremendous battle, but recognizing similarities they end up great friends. Challenging expectations seems to be a highlight of this chapter. The hero starts out as a tyrant. A challenger lives among the wild animals with at first not a care in the world about his opponent. Two enemies become friends and natural illies. A lesson for writers from this is to introduce surprises. It can keep the story fresh and interesting, rather than typical and boring. Be careful because the readers shouldn't be lied to with expectations, but they need to feel like the text is fresh and different from others.
Writing Assignments:
Think of two very different people, such as where they are from, what they like, etc. Write a short story about what happens when they first meet. What brought them together? Will they be friends or enemies? What similarities do they discover about each other?
Songs are types of poetry, often telling mini-stories. Listen to your favorite song or album. Go through each stanza and explain the images, feelings, and actions and how they work together to tell a story. Describe the story they are trying to tell.
Look up the parts of a song to get an idea how they are built. Write your own song with a chorus and any other types of versus to tell a story. Keep in mind rhythm and beat as you put down the words. It can be a short song or an epic ballad. For even more challenge if capable alone or with someone who knows how, put those words to actual music.
Vocabulary:
lament
savage
jostled
thronged
bridegroom
watchman
byer
They decide to make him an equal that will fight him and hopefully tame the out of control king. What comes of the creation is the wild man Enkidu who lives in the forest. There is a long tradition of these kind of nature living humans. His body is covered in hair and he eats only grass and drinks milk. Modern legends of such men-beasts can be found in the stories of Bigfoot or the Yeti who wonder in forests just out of reach. Powerful as he might be, Enkidu is innocent and ignorant of the ways of humankind. He prefers the company of beasts that his lifestyle imitates. His ways are in contrast to the cultured urbanites who eat bread and drink wine, both foods that take time to make.
Recognizing the potential for Enkidu to take on Gilgamesh as a defense, the people of Uruk send a woman to tame him. There are slight similarities to the Adam and Eve story, where the man is tempted by the woman. Eventually through the charms of a beautiful temptress, Enkidu gives up paradise in search of the city. He hears of the great Gilgamesh and wishes to confront this powerful equal. The hopes of the people of Uruk are in this once wild man. When he enters the city, everyone is amazed by his powerful build and wonder if this is the one who can save them.
Notice the repetition of dialogue. One character says something, and another reports it to an important figure or god in hopes of transmitting these words to those who can use them. Remember, this story came from ancient oral tradition. There could have been singing and instruments as part of the story telling. Like stanzas of music, there can be repetitions of words for emphasis on ideas or images. This can help the listener recognize what the artist considered important. It can also act as a bridge between two scenes where location has changed. Either way, the point is for the reader or listener to remember.
Something unexpected happens when the two powerful characters final end up battling with each other. Enkidu was created as an antagonist to the great Gilgamesh who abused his position as king. They fight a tremendous battle, but recognizing similarities they end up great friends. Challenging expectations seems to be a highlight of this chapter. The hero starts out as a tyrant. A challenger lives among the wild animals with at first not a care in the world about his opponent. Two enemies become friends and natural illies. A lesson for writers from this is to introduce surprises. It can keep the story fresh and interesting, rather than typical and boring. Be careful because the readers shouldn't be lied to with expectations, but they need to feel like the text is fresh and different from others.
Writing Assignments:
Think of two very different people, such as where they are from, what they like, etc. Write a short story about what happens when they first meet. What brought them together? Will they be friends or enemies? What similarities do they discover about each other?
Songs are types of poetry, often telling mini-stories. Listen to your favorite song or album. Go through each stanza and explain the images, feelings, and actions and how they work together to tell a story. Describe the story they are trying to tell.
Look up the parts of a song to get an idea how they are built. Write your own song with a chorus and any other types of versus to tell a story. Keep in mind rhythm and beat as you put down the words. It can be a short song or an epic ballad. For even more challenge if capable alone or with someone who knows how, put those words to actual music.
Vocabulary:
lament
savage
jostled
thronged
bridegroom
watchman
byer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)