Gilgamesh essays

Gilgamesh essays The Epic of Gilgamesh was written around 2000 B.C. in the Sumerian language. It was written about the historical king of Uruk in Babylonia who lived about 2700 B.C. It was written in cuneiform on clay tablets which were found in the ruins of the library of Ashurbanipal. One of the most important points of the tablets is that they actually name an author. This is extremely rare in the ancient world. The author, Shin-eqi-unninni, is the oldest author that can be named. Gilgamesh was two-thirds god and one-third human and ruled over Sumer oppressively. He was very arrogant and cocky so because of this, the people cry out to the god Anu to help them. In response, he creates theopposite of Gilgamesh; an equal rival. His name is Enkidu and is first seen running naked with wild animals. He is taken in by some shepards who civilize him so that he can walk into the city. Eventually, Gilgamesh and Enkidu battle but the turnout results in a friendship between the two superpowers. Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh begin to weaken and grow lazy living in the city so Gilgamesh decides to embark upon a great adventure by cutting down all the all of the trees in the great Cedar Forest. To do this, however, they need to defeat Humbaba the terrible who is the Guardian of the great Cedar Forest. But, due to Gilgamesh's fatal flaw of arrogance, he doesn't listen to Enkidu's words of wisdom. This flaw is classic of the hero in an epic. The two set off to defeat Humbaba and succeed in doing so. Just before Gilgamesh beheads the demon, Humbaba curses Enkidu by saying that he will die before Gilgamesh and will "not find peace in in this world." After battling a bull and killing it, Enkidu becomes very sick and after suffering for twelve days, he finally dies. Gilgamesh is very disheartened by his "soul mate('s)" death and laments for many days. He begins his journey to find Utnapishtim ...