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Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh. Notes for discussion of the text. Gilgamesh (notes). The text: Setting: 28th c - 27th c bc 1.1-4: consider the formal structure (parallelism); note Gilgamesh's name [probably] mentioned first (also 1.28) 1.7-8: primacy of "tale" and juncture of "myth" and "history"

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Gilgamesh

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  1. Gilgamesh Notes for discussion of the text

  2. Gilgamesh (notes) • The text: • Setting: 28th c - 27th c bc • 1.1-4: consider the formal structure (parallelism); note Gilgamesh's name [probably] mentioned first (also 1.28) • 1.7-8: primacy of "tale" and juncture of "myth" and "history" • 1.10: notice the emphasis on writing • 1.11, 18-21: a foundation myth • 1.30: we'll hear a lot of bovine metaphors throughout these 11 tablets • 1.41: major theme comes out in "proem:" the search for life, centered on Uta-napishti (the life-guru-Deluge-survivor of tablet 11) • 1.56-62: role of description • 1.63ff.: how the plot begins: the ius prima nocte (droit de seigneur)

  3. Gilgamesh (notes) • 1.93ff.: get a handle on the pantheon: Anu, Aruru, Enki, Enlil, Ishtar, Shamash, etc. • 1.97-100: a match for the storm of his heart: a description of the friend Enkidu to be created • 1.140: why a harlot? • 1.142-145: consider what civilization means; what civilization changes • 1.185: the work of a woman • 1.193-194: things that today we see advertised on television • 1.199ff.: consider the words: defiled, understanding, weakened, reason, etc. • 1.214: instinct • 1.245ff.: the dream, the adoption. Consider the diction: like a wife, etc. • 1.296: friendship quest

  4. Gilgamesh (notes) • 2.40: twins • 2.45ff.: more civilizing • P159ff.: the definition of droit; also consider "destined" • Y18: they kissed each other • Y90-97: a difficult transition in the lacuna, no? • 2.234ff.: consider the proverb

  5. Gilgamesh (notes) • 3.35: why sadness? ... a restless spirit (3.46) • 3.88: consider this catalogue (and others) • 3.104: prolepsis • 3.125: the adoption is complete

  6. Gilgamesh (notes) • 4.10ff.: consider the "ritual to provoke a dream" in this and other cultures • Ha1,4-17: the bovine images again, linked with fame and glory: "a feat that never has been in the land"

  7. Gilgamesh (notes) • 5.73-77: a cord of three strands • 5.140: the catalogue again. consider the role of intertext / intratext • 5.262-265: epic language • 5.294-295: consider the image

  8. Gilgamesh (notes) • 6.99-100: Ishtar's threat • 7.105-160: consider the curse and the blessing: what does this say re: profession, gender, etc.; note also how civilization grants burial • 7.188ff.: nekyia • 7.265: consider mortality vs. immortality, and the role of name

  9. Gilgamesh (notes) • 8.31: do you know what ghee is? • 8.44-45: the role of mourning; the gender of mourning • 8.130-133: the appropriate sacrifice; also, consider burial practice: why do we do what we do? • 9.3: I shall die: a chilling revelation

  10. Gilgamesh (notes) • 10.137: eeewwww? • 10.266ff.: foolish vs. wise and the responsibility of the king • 10.296-297: what price death and what price life? value of Gilgamesh's adventures?

  11. Gilgamesh (notes) • 11.46: manna • 11.55ff.: the ark • 11.283: the plant • 11.303-306: an aetiological myth • 11.322-329: an echo of the beginning, this time in Gilgamesh's mouth

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