gilgamesh essay prompts

The Epic of Gilgamesh

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Enkidu is civilized through his encounter with Shamhat, a prostitute. As opposed to our own society, what does this say about views toward sexuality and femininity in ancient Mesopotamia?

Rather than being seen as a negative attribute, Shamhat's sexuality and its ties to the temple cement her importance in Mesopotamian society. She is a means to tame Enkidu as opposed to a means for him to behave like an animal. Throughout the poem, the role of women is unavoidable and important. Although Enkidu and Gilgamesh insult Ishtar, Gilgamesh specifically points out her temple to Urshanabi.

Compare and contrast the role of the serpent and the flood in the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh. What similarities and differences can be found?

In both books the serpent is presented negatively; a force that deprives humanity of some pleasure or immortality. In the Bible, the serpent is a deliberate force of temptation, and Adam and Eve are cast out as sinners. It is clearly depicted as an evil presence. In Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s own carelessness deprives him of immortality. In his case, the role of the serpent is necessary for him to move past his feelings toward life and death and become a better king, making this serpent less of a villain and more a catalyst for change.

The flood stories in both texts are very similar, and some scholars believe that they refer to a singular event. However, there are differences between the accounts.

What does Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's constant struggle and defiance of the gods tell us about how the gods were viewed in Gilgamesh's time? Are the consequences that both characters face worth the risk each takes?

The gods as depicted in Gilgamesh's story, as well as Utnapishtim's, are presented as being easily angered and vengeful. Part of Gilgamesh's heroic pedigree is inherent in being two-thirds a god himself, but his acts of defiance also speak to a possibly resentful view of the gods among ancient Mesopotamians. The gods are depicted as being difficult to please, sometimes punishing without explanation or meting out punishments that seem far out of proportion to the original offense, as in Utnapishtim's story. Both characters take on large risks by insulting Ishtar, but Gilgamesh is able to face his own mortality and Enkidu is able to learn of the world of humans and of the value of life. Both also come to understand the importance of friendship in life.

What does Humbaba/Huwawa represent? Use examples from the story to support your position.

Humbaba represents fear and the unknown. Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh experience great fear in the cedar forest when they are about to face Humbaba. They support one another with encouraging words when the other is frightened. One can also argue that Humbaba represents nature itself. As guardian of the Cedar Forest, he has a duty to protect it from harm. Gilgamesh and Enkidu together represent civilization. They seek to tame the natural world for their own purposes.

At various points in the story, dreams foretell events to come. What do these passages reveal about how dreams were valued in Mesopotamian culture? What do they tell us about the dreamer's state of mind?

It is obvious from the text that dreams were regarded as important markers that should be interpreted. It seems fair to say that the ancient Mesopotamians lent a good deal of credibility to them in their day-to-day lives. As Gilgamesh dreams of the meteor and the axe in anticipation of his meeting with Enkidu, he turns to his mother for an interpretation of his dreams. While she informs him of the imminent arrival of Enkidu, it could also be that Gilgamesh is lonely and looking for a companion. Enkidu dreams of the gods deciding his death and of what the underworld will be like. His state of mind is one of absolute fear of his defiance of the gods.

Although Gilgamesh faces his own mortality upon Enkidu's death, he also must now face a life without his friend. Why is this also of importance? What does it teach Gilgamesh about life and the spirit of endurance?

Beyond teaching Gilgamesh that his own life must end, Enkidu's death also forces Gilgamesh to continue living the life he still has left. He is initially so distraught over Enkidu's death that he more or less abandons his kingly duties. Utnapishtim teaches him that life must end, but Gilgamesh also must return to Uruk with the full understanding that his own life must continue if it is to have meaning.

What is the significance of the darkness that Gilgamesh encounters in the passage beneath Mount Mashu on his way to seek Utnapishtim?

The text repeatedly mentions how Gilgamesh is alone at this point in the story. With nothing else visible around him, Gilgamesh is truly on his own on this quest. He is also completely lost, without obvious direction, fumbling in the dark. This metaphor reiterates Gilgamesh's struggle with the loss of Enkidu. He is suddenly finding himself unsure of how to proceed in life.

Repetition is a frequent technique the author(s) used in the Epic of Gilgamesh, as is the theme of duality. Enkidu and Gilgamesh are near mirrors of each other, for example. They undertake two quests: one against Humbaba, the other against the Bull of Heaven. Discuss other examples of duality and repetition in the story. Why does the epic contain these elements?

Repetition reinforces themes present in the story, or attributes of a character. Sometimes repetition can also draw contrasts between different events or characters. Besides reinforcing elements in the story, repetition also suggests that these stories may have had a strong oral tradition and were largely passed down in this manner before being committed to these tablets.

Duality also draws comparisons between characters and again reinforces one of the themes of the story: companionship. Enkidu and Gilgamesh are near mirrors of each other. Gilgamesh and Utnapishtim also share some characteristics, not in appearance, but in the knowledge that they both have gained. Enkidu and Gilgamesh embark on two quests. Gilgamesh's journey to the underworld mirrors his quest with Enkidu.

The story begins and ends with a description of the city of Uruk and its walls and other features? What does this signify?

For Gilgamesh it signals reconciliation with the finite nature of life. He is able to return to where he began and see it, almost with new eyes, and a new appreciation. He accepts his place. It also brings the story full-circle, perhaps an aesthetic choice to mirror the cyclical nature of life.

Comment on Gilgamesh and Enkidu's relationship. Is their love of a sexual nature or a more platonic one? The text describes them as being very close. Why do you think that is?

Although there is language in the text suggestive of a relationship beyond friendship between the two, there is no direct evidence of a sexual relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. At the same time, Gilgamesh declares a love for Enkidu greater than that for any woman. However, Gilgamesh's sexual appetite for women is established early on in the text, where it is written that he sleeps with newly married brides before their husbands do. It is more likely that as the gods created Enkidu to be a counterweight to Gilgamesh, the characters are able to find in each other an understanding that no one else can provide. Only they are able to comprehend what it is like to be the other.

The Epic of Gilgamesh Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Epic of Gilgamesh is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what insults does humbaba throw at gilgamesh and enkidu upon their 1st encounter ?

Are you sure he faces Humbaba in chapter 2? Gilgamesh talks about going to the Cedar Forest but I don't think he gets there in Ch. 2.

How does Enkidu help Gilgamesh before he dies?

Enkidu helps Gilgamesh to defeat Humbaba before he dies.

Epic of Gilgamesh

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Study Guide for The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh study guide contains literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, quotes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Epic of Gilgamesh
• The Epic of Gilgamesh Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Epic of Gilgamesh.

• Enkidu's Deathbed Realization
• Questions of the Hereafter in Gilgamesh, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Bible
• Mother, Goddess, Seductress, Harlot: Women in "The Epic of Gilgamesh"
• Fellowship in the Epic of Gilgamesh
• Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh

Lesson Plan for The Epic of Gilgamesh

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Epic of Gilgamesh Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Epic of Gilgamesh

• Introduction

Study Guide on The Epic of Gilgamesh, Essay Topics & Sample

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest literary works globally. If you struggle with the problem of writing an essay on this topic, we will help you. Find out the basic facts about the piece and get a list of the best themes! As a bonus, you can read the best of our Gilgamesh free essays examples !

Let’s Start!

What Is the Epic of Gilgamesh?

• Topics and Tips

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient poem originally from Mesopotamia . The date of the writing of the work is shocking because presumably, the ancient Sumerians created it about four thousand years ago . According to scientists, the authors took the primary material from some Sumerian poems.

The story of the discovery of the Epic is also surprising. After all, archaeologists unearthed clay tablets with the original text only in the middle of the 19th century. People lived quietly for several thousand years until that moment, not knowing what treasure lay under their feet. Later, in the 70s of the 19th century, the British scientist George Smith translated the text into English, which gave it worldwide recognition.

Writing a Gilgamesh analysis essay, you should deal with the mythology and religious life of ancient people who lived in the territory of Mesopotamia. The story allows you to plunge into a fascinating story about the old gods, their favorites, opponents, as well as about the great king Gilgamesh, who had no equal.

Significance of Epic of Gilgamesh

Now let’s take a little deeper into the Epic of Gilgamesh and why it is important for modern society. You will be surprised at how profoundly the original text had on the life of the entire civilization as we know it. Scientists concluded with a detailed Epic of Gilgamesh analysis that this work is a fantastic find for historical science, cultural studies, and literature.

For all of these specialties, the epic possesses a great interest. One might find it fascinating that the story of Gilgamesh inspired much of the writing of the tale of the exploits of Hercules. Also, there are many similarities between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible. One way or another, the Sumerian epic became the ideological inspirer of many later works.

Don’t forget about the cultural and moral side. In this Epic of Gilgamesh study guide, you will have the opportunity to read much exciting information on this topic. And you will be surprised how exactly the authors showed the world and all its problems. Some of the Epics of Gilgamesh’s moral lesson remain relevant even in modern civilization.

Epic of Gilgamesh: 5 Facts

The story told by the epic authors is undoubtedly a masterpiece of literature. But for a high-quality Epic of Gilgamesh analysis essay, this fact will not be enough for you. Therefore, we have prepared for you a list of 5 exciting points that will become the highlight of your work!

• The prototype of the protagonist was a real king . Scientists believe that about four and a half thousand years ago, a king named Gilgamesh lived in the city of Uruk. His deeds became so outstanding that people wrote poems and poems about him for several centuries.
• A close friend of the protagonist was a man raised by animals . Much can be said about the hero Enkidu . However, if you decide to write an essay about Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s friendship, it will be impossible not to mention it. After all, they could get along despite all the differences between them.
• Later kings tried to claim descent from Gilgamesh . The figure of the protagonist was so popular in the ancient world that the kings legitimized their power through him.
• Lots of books, stories, and even comics come with a similar plot . Surprisingly, the story of the ancient king has quickly become a part of modern pop culture. Many authors wrote their stories in a similar style, and some even made comics. It’s worth mentioning in your Epic of Gilgamesh analysis essay.
• Many people believed that Gilgamesh’s parents were the gods . This is quite paradoxical because, in the same Epic, the authors note that the king was only a man. However, both the hero’s contemporaries and the later inhabitants of Mesopotamia believed that Gilgamesh received his power from the gods.

These facts might help you write a quality Gilgamesh essay!

Epic of Gilgamesh: Summary

Now let’s talk about filling the piece. After all, it is impossible to write the Epic of Gilgamesh essay without knowing what events are described in it.

What is The Epic of Gilgamesh , and what does it describe? Our story begins with the city of Uruk. King Gilgamesh has ruled here for many decades. He is by no means an honest and just ruler. Residents spend their evenings in supplication for punishment for the king. After all, he often acts unfairly with his people, forcing them to work from morning to evening and taking whatever he wants.

And then, one day, the gods heard the requests of the townspeople. They called on their sister, the goddess Anu, to create from clay a man who could defeat Gilgamesh. Enkidu lived most of his life among wild beasts in the desert.

People managed to lure Enkidu out of his usual habitat only by cunning. Seeing a terrible silhouette, the hunters asked the priestess of love from the temple in Uruk for help. After seeing Ishtar, Enkidu was forced to come to civilization because the animals left him.

Enkidu learns about Gilgamesh’s arbitrariness in the city and decides to challenge him, but he loses. Nevertheless, they became friends, and after this battle, the king rethought a lot. He became a fairer ruler, and together with Enkidu, they accomplished many great deeds. They defeated the Sky Bull and killed the guardian of the Cedar Forest, the monster Humbabe. However, the angry gods decided to punish their friends and kill one of them after that. The choice fell on Enkidu.

Gilgamesh mourns his friend for many days, wandering around the city and its surroundings. But when his mind cleared, he embarked on a new journey. Now his target was the elixir of immortality. Why does Gilgamesh want immortality?

The death of Enkidu prompted the king to think that his life was also not endless. He decided to cross hundreds of obstacles and enter lands that mortals had never visited. According to legends, the elder Utnapishtim lived there, who learned the secret of immortality. And Gilgamesh even managed to find the magic plant. But he could not return with him to Uruk because the gods were against it.

Now we come to the most important thing. What is the central message of The Epic of Gilgamesh? No matter how a person tries to become immortal, it is impossible. However, he can forever remain in people’s memory thanks to his good deeds.

Epic of Gilgamesh: Setting

To prepare for your Epic of Gilgamesh essay writing, it is essential to understand what period we are talking about. Let’s figure out where and when the described events took place.

The story is set in Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Nowadays, the area is home to Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, and Turkey. In Mesopotamia, presumably, one of the oldest human civilizations originates.

Gilgamesh rules the city of Uruk, one of the oldest settlements in the area. It is noteworthy that Uruk was the first to receive high stone walls, which made it the main center of cultural and commercial life. Later, the kings who ruled the city would subjugate the leaders of neighboring tribes and create the whole state of Uruk. The dominance of the newly created kingdom will last for several centuries. And later, kings will trace their lineage back to semi-legendary rulers such as Gilgamesh.

Scientists note that the epic’s events unfold about two and a half thousand years BC. Of course, the figure is approximate because there are no clues in the text itself. For a better understanding, the construction of the famous pyramid of Cheops in Egypt begins at about the same time.

In the region of Mesopotamia, people have only recently switched to a sedentary way of life. When writing the Epic, they have already mastered the skill of stone processing, building houses, and trade. People already had religious and mythical beliefs, an example of which is the legend of Gilgamesh.

Also, in the Gilgamesh essay, you may mention other regions from the epic. In particular, the authors described the part of Lebanon neighboring Mesopotamia in the battle in the Cedar Forest

Utnapishtim

Utnapishtim is the only person in the epic who possesses the secret of immortality. His story begins in an immemorial time when the gods became angry and decided to arrange a worldwide flood to punish humanity. And only Utnapishtim has revealed this secret to build a boat and save himself and his family. Since then, Utnapishtim has held the secret of immortal life as a reward from the gods. When Gilgamesh came to the elder, trying to find out the mystery, he advised how to do it, but the king failed. Utnapishtim’s words are a good source of information for a summary of the story of the flood in Gilgamesh’s epic.

Enlil is the supreme God in Akkadian mythology. He is the king of all gods, a creature that can bestow immortality and create cataclysms on a planetary scale with the power of thought. Enlil was the initiator of the great flood and the judge who decided to kill Enkidu. His motivation and logic are challenging to understand, but he is the epic’s stronghold of morality and justice.

Ea is another god whose story is told by the Epic of Gilgamesh. Unfortunately, he is not so common, but Ea played an essential role in shaping the world. He was the God who warned Utnapishtim about the flood and saved humanity. He was not afraid to contradict the supreme God Enlil and reason under challenging situations.

Women in the Epic of Gilgamesh

In addition to the goddess of love in the Epic, several more female characters play a significant role. Among them was Shamshat, a priestess of love who worked in a temple in the city of Uruk. Enkidu learned the beauty of love and escaped from animals to people thanks to her. Also, in work, we know about the goddess Ninsun. She is the queen of Uruk and the mother of Gilgamesh. Her skills and knowledge help the king to advance further in his adventures. Also, the tavern owner in the forbidden lands played an important role. She sent Gilgamesh to find Utnapishtim.

Minor characters in the Epic of Gilgamesh

Mentioning minor characters is essential for a good Gilgamesh epic hero essay. So let’s take a look at them.

In addition to the characters already listed in the Epic, we can learn about many other people and creatures. They did not actively develop the plot as other heroes, but they are also an essential part of mythology. These include the enemies of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, more minor deities, the inhabitants of Uruk, forest hunters, guardians of the land of the dead, and so on.

An example is Shamash. Who is Shamash in the Epic of Gilgamesh? He is the sun god in the ancient myths of the peoples of Mesopotamia. Because of his close acquaintance with Gilgamesh’s mother, the goddess Ninsun, Shamash helps the main characters in their adventures. With the help of Shamash, Gilgamesh and Enkidu could defeat Humbaba, who guarded the Cedar Forest. If God hadn’t sent the wind to immobilize the monster, the heroes could lose, and the story would have been interrupted.

The list of minor characters can also include the already mentioned Humbaba and the Heavenly Bull. Of course, they don’t have many replicas, but without them, the epic would be incomplete. After all, for heroes to exist, there must be evil that must be defeated.

Gilgamesh Essay: Topics and Tips

Now let’s move on to the technical part of writing your work. The first thing you need is a good, exciting topic. We have prepared for you a list of 10 argumentative essay topics for Gilgamesh that will surely interest you:

• Analysis of the Similarities and Differences between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad.
• Dream symbolism in the Epic of Gilgamesh .
• Comparison of travels in the Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• The role of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the development of the literary tradition of Western civilization.
• Analysis of Similarities in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible .
• What moral values ​​does the Epic of Gilgamesh teach?
• The symbolism of the travels of the protagonist in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• An Analysis of the Psychology of the Relationship Between Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
• The role of women in the ancient world is exemplified by the characters of the Epic of Gilgamesh .
• How does the Epic of Gilgamesh raise the question of the immortality of human achievement?

An essay about Gilgamesh is a paper where everyone will find something interesting. Try to pay attention to one of our topics, and you will not be disappointed!

Gilgamesh Essay Tips

To write a good epic of Gilgamesh argumentative essay, you should follow some simple tips. They will significantly simplify your work and help you structure your thoughts.

• Analysis in Epic of Gilgamesh essay . Do not forget that the primary purpose of an article is to develop some new ideas and find interesting facts. Therefore, you should carefully analyze some aspects of the work. For example, make a comparative description of the characters, highlight the main literary techniques, designate the setting, etc.
• Full-fledged research . Before writing the text, it is worth taking the time to analyze the sources. There is a lot of information on the internet to help you formulate your ideas.
• Prepare a complete outline . Making a Gilgamesh essay structure is essential for preparing your essay right after the research. If you want to keep all your thoughts structured, an outline is a must. Remember to check your logic flow for errors after making your plan.
• Don’t forget about the thesis statement . After a short introduction, you should express a clear thought that you will argue in your essay. What is a good thesis statement for The Epic of Gilgamesh? For example, we can say that Gilgamesh’s journey in search of immortality reflects a human desire to cheat death and be remembered by others. This thesis will be remembered by everyone who reads your work.
• Use additional materials . To create a quality essay, you need to understand the work better. For example, a good option would be to watch a couple of epic Gilgamesh videos. Thanks to them, you will be able to penetrate deeper into all the problems that were told in the Epic.

Epic of Gilgamesh Essay Topics

A good essay needs a good topic. If you did not find something that would suit you in the previous list, then let’s dive a little deeper. Here are 10 more ideas in our Gilgamesh study guide, with a bit of explanation to make it easier for you to get started.

• Comparison of the underworld in the Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh . The mythological concepts of ancient civilizations have a lot in common. And thanks to some literary works, we can see all the similarities and differences. Analyzing how the underworld is depicted in these two poems, you will learn many exciting things.
• Comparison of the heroic qualities of Gilgamesh and Odysseus . The literature of the ancient world is becoming the inspirer of modern ideas about real heroes . The Epic and the Odyssey contain many exciting examples of the necessary qualities.
• The similarity of the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible on the example of dreams . Dreams have been a subject of debate for a long time. Many agreed that these are omens of future events. Oddly enough, in the Bible and the Epic, you can find a lot of similarities on this topic.
• Comparison of the Bhagavad Gita and the Epic of Gilgamesh . Religion has always been a source of morality and wisdom for people. At the same time, in these works, the gods personally contact the heroes, instructing them. Many exciting similarities can be found between the two very different religions through the analysis of the texts.
• Comparison of the images of Gilgamesh and Beowulf . Surprisingly, even if representatives of different cultures have never been in contact with each other, they always have something in common. This can be seen in the Beowulf and Gilgamesh comparison essay.
• Correlation of travels with the inner state of Gilgamesh . Traveling and adventuring in the epic is not your usual pastime. They demonstrate how the perception of the protagonist changes. This is an exciting topic for analysis.
• Interpretation of the Great Flood in the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh : Similarities and Differences . There are many similarities between Christianity and ancient Akkadian beliefs. A great flood is an important event in both cultures.
• The significance of the Epic of Gilgamesh for studying the history of the Middle East region . Thanks to events that were told in the Epic, scientists can learn lots of facts about the life of ancient civilization. Moreover, having traced the similarity in the works of different cultures, it becomes possible to see how people and thoughts migrated.
• The role of women in the ancient world based on the Epic of Gilgamesh . You can see how women were treated in ancient cultures in work—a fascinating topic for an analysis essay about gender roles in Gilgamesh.
• Analysis of moral lessons in the Epic of Gilgamesh . This work is a source of morality for the inhabitants of that time and today. In this topic, you can find out how ancient people saw the standards of humanity and whether their ideas are relevant today.

Epic of Gilgamesh Essay Samples

If you still have questions about better writing an essay, we know the solution. Let’s look at how our authors described thoughts in their Gilgamesh essay sample. Below you will find links to the best examples of work to help you do your task efficiently.

• The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad: Compare & Contrast Essay .
• Gilgamesh and Odysseus Visit Underworld Comparison .
• Heroes’ Qualities: Gilgamesh vs. Odysseus .
• Dreams in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible .
• Guidance in Krishna’s “Bhagavad-Gita” and Siduri’s The Epic of Gilgamesh .
• The Image of Epic Heroes in Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and Beowulf .
• The Hero’s Journey: The Odyssey and Gilgamesh Comparison .
• Events and Journeys in The Epic of Gilgamesh .
• The Epic of Gilgamesh: Friendship Between Gilgamesh and Enkidu
• Epic of Gilgamesh: Enkidu’s Lack of Caution
• The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Tempest: Being “Civilized” or “Uncivilized”
• The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Book of Genesis, The Divine Comedy
• Immortality Through Fame in the Epic of Gilgamesh
• The Epic of Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh and Enkidu
• Reflection of the Poem Epic of Gilgamesh
• Creative Analysis of The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu
• Gilgamesh and Odysseus: The Semblance

You, of course, can disagree with the thoughts expressed by our authors. But using a similar with these Gilgamesh essay examples structure will make it much easier for you to get a good result!

How to Cite the Epic of Gilgamesh

The epic of Gilgamesh contains many exciting phrases that you can safely quote in your work. But for this, you need to adhere to a specific citation style. MLA citations, APA citations, and Chicago style are the most popular ones. How to cite the epic of Gilgamesh in the text? Below you can see examples and use them to make your version.

• APA: George, A., Sandars, N. K., & Pasco, R. (2003). The epic of Gilgamesh (A. George, Trans.). Penguin Classics.
• MLA: George, Andrew, et al. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by Andrew George, Penguin Classics, 2003.
• Chicago: George, Andrew, N. K. Sanders, and Richard Pasco. 2003. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by Andrew George. Penguin Classics. London, England: Penguin Classics.

Citation styles are needed so that the people reviewing your essay can identify where you got a particular passage from. All students do not like to draw up citation lists, but you will not have any problems following the indicated structure.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end! You are now entirely ready to write a quality essay on Gilgamesh. Share this Gilgamesh essay guide with your friends and keep it to yourself to avoid losing anything. Remember to use the tips you learned about, and good luck with your work!

❓ What is the main idea of Gilgamesh?

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a deeply philosophical work. The basic idea is that the only way to immortality is through good deeds. Only by remaining in other people’s memory can we access eternal life.

❓ What is the key theme of the Epic of Gilgamesh Quizlet?

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a very multifaceted work. It touches upon the themes of friendship and love, pride, and morality. But the main thing is still the theme of immortality. Only the right actions can allow a person to live forever in the minds of others – this is what the epic teaches.

❓ Why is Gilgamesh still relevant today?

Even though the Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest literary work we know of, it remains relevant today. This is because it raises important moral questions about friendship, human life, and the meaning of life. Moreover, the work analysis is essential for understanding time’s historical and cultural processes.

❓ What are significant elements of epic evident in The Epic of Gilgamesh?

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, we can find all the inherent characteristics in the epic genre. For example, a plot revolves around one hero with superhuman powers. Also, travel to unfamiliar lands or the underworld, etc. And, of course, the style of the story, in which the poet knows everything and sees everything.

📎 References

• Humanities. Lessons from the demigod .
• Lumen. Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement .
• SettlePi. What Made Gilgamesh an Epic Hero?
• BBC The epic adventures of the Gilgamesh Dream tablet .
• Britannica. Epic of Gilgamesh .
• Time. Before Noah: Myths of the Flood Are Far Older Than the Bible .
• World History Encyclopedia. Gilgamesh .
• CBC. 4 things you didn’t know about the world’s first superhero .
• History.com. What is the oldest known piece of literature?
• StoryboardThat. What is an Epic?
• South Georgia State College. The Epic of Gilgamesh.
• Interesting Literature. Literature before Homer: The Epic of Gilgamesh .
• University of North Carolina Press. Some Literary Motifs in the Composition of the Gilgamesh Epic .
• Reference.com. What Is the Moral of “The Epic of Gilgamesh”?
• Literary Analysis. Literature Commentary: The Epic of Gilgamesh.
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Epic of Gilgamesh: An Analysis of the Main Character Essay

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• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Works cited.

Gilgamesh is brought into light after the discovery of Enkidu in the forest and his powers though present is revealed as he fights and defeats Enkidu whom they later become great friends. Gilgamesh is also not only a warrior and a leader, but also a considerate person since he is more concerned with the protection of the people of Uruk.his heroic status is felt by all within his ruling.

His demonstration of power is brought forward as he is able to build strong fountains and cedar gate from the forest to protects his rulings. Considered a superman he is portrayed as having distingtive aspects as compared to the people he is governing and in thasi case he is able to do all acts inn his power s withot being challenged.

By taking the long journey to the cedar woods, he is standing a test of courage and showing that he also can possess and have power more than the other gods since he sees that in uruk he has no challangers.He intends to establish his name in the place where the greatest of the men are written.In this concept Gilgamesh undertakes a journey to the cedar forest where he and Enkidu have to characteristically fight and defeet that rulers of the forest. This journey to them is an adventure and acts as a chance to incereacs most of their territorial rule.

The quest for immortality seems to be the driving factor for Gilgamesh since undergoing through this adventure depict his heroic actions of trying to live a life without death.from the advice he received from Enkidu of a possibility of immortality he clearly embarks o and adventurous journey that he clear ought s that it will make him immortal.

In establishing nobility he seeks immortality where he wants to get more honor by slaying a more immortal being unlike having to challenge lesser beings that are not immortal and of little abilities as compared to his. In this concept fighting the gods depict a great success to his rule ant that is a great reason why he and Enkidu undertake the same task of fighting all the superior gods that try to suppress their efforts (Andrew 2000).

The two immense grand adversaries, the hero and his opponent, meet at the climax, this heroic characteristics can be seen in the final tablets Gilgamesh finally meets Utnapishtim the god who offers him a chance of immortality therefore giving a clear characteristic of how heroic Gilgamesh straggled to attain his quest of becoming immortal which at the end of everything he misses this chance and dies. Being a god-despiser, Gilgamesh portrays his abilities as more enhanced that those of the existing gods and it is through this that the gods decide to bring forth Enkidu who they consider that at a certain time he will be able to change the perception of Gilgamesh who even the people under him fear most because of his cruelty.

Due to his heroic attribute he comes across a numinous phenomenon and in this case he prays to Shamash and divine assistance to overcome the challenges that he is journey to attaining an immortal life. Gilgamesh is a hero with character that is more beautiful that he is admired by the goddess, more courageous that he fight all his challengers and more terrifying where his cruelty lingers across his people. Even though he depicts this attributes, he is still mortal.

Allingham, P. Notes on Heroic Poetry (2008). Web.

Andrew G, ed. The Gilgamesh story : The Poem and Other Texts in Akkadian and Sumerian. Babylonian Epic New York: Penguin Classics, 2000.

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Gilgamesh Essay Topics & Ideas

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Argumentative Essay Topics About Gilgamesh

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The Epic Of Gilgamesh Argumentative Essay Example

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Poetry , Poem , Animals , World , Friendship , Gilgamesh , Nature , Literature

Words: 1200

Published: 12/31/2019

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The plot of The Epic of Gilgamesh deals a lot with the world of nature. Considering the fact that Enkidu, the best friend and companion of the main character, was created as a wild man and lived in the forest before encountering Gilgamesh, it seems especially interesting to speculate on the question of how the natural world was presented in this epic poem. In the beginning of the poem when the reader comes across the first mention of Enkidu, one may notice that the author opposes the ingenuousness of Enkidu to the habits and actions of Gilgamish who belongs to the civilized people. The latter one is described as a tyrannical ruler, who is prone to voluptuousness while he demands the privilege of sleeping with brides of his people. He is a willful despot who can order his people to build walls and then let the walls decay, despite all the hard work which his people put into them. However, the ruler was the ruler and civilized people could only wish for changes and continue to bear their king’s whims. On the contrary, Enkidu was made as an opposition to Gilgamesh. He was supposed to possess something that Gilgamesh lacked but to be equal with him in strength in order to bring into his soul something that would make him better. The following entreaty regarding the creation of Enkidu was made to the goddess Aruru: “Let him be a match for the storm in his heart, let them vie with each other so Uruk may be rested!”(George, 5). Enkidu used to run with the animals that had no fear of him and to free them from traps. While Gilgamesh and Enkidu are contrasted in this part of the poem and the king of Uruk is represented in rather an unfavorable light it feels like the nature to which Enkidu obviously belongs provides freedom of soul which civilized people lack. Therefore the attitude towards the nature is positive from the very beginning of the poem. As soon as one encounters Enkidu on the pages of the book, he or she is immediately left with the impression that Enkidu, despite he is simply a savage who must be infinitely less clever than the king of Uruk, due to his simplicity and closeness to the nature possesses something good that Gilgamesh lacks.

When the prostitute whom Gilgamesh had sent to sleep with Enkidu walked him to Uruk and people first saw Enkidu, no one of them felt despise or superiority towards the savage. It might have happened though if general attitude towards nature in the poem was different. It is impossible to imagine that a man who lived with animals and knows nothing about customs and habits of civilized people would be greeted as equal in the modern world. Of course the society of the times that were described in the poems was way simpler than ours, so Enkidu did not have to know the achievements of science or technological progress to be considered equal by other people. Still, habits and customs are not less important and if natural world was thought to be something simple and a man was referred to in people’s minds as the king of the animals Enkidu would likely receive public scorn due to his way of life. But this did not happen. In fact as he entered Uruk people even compared him to their king, saying that Enkidu looked like Gilgamesh but was shorter and stronger. They decided that “He was born in the uplands, animals’ milk is what he was suckled on” (George, 15). The fact that the way of life Enkidu had led before coming to Uruk was not supposed to be something shameful and did not prevent the people of Uruk to have seen their king’s equal in him proves that the people in this poem felt a lot of regard towards the world of nature.

It was mentioned though that Enkidu and Gilgamesh were killing beasts, bears and tigers through their journey as they faced them. Still in the world of nature animals kill each other as well in order to survive. Therefore the fact that the main characters of the poem were killing some of the nature’s children does not prove that they lived in disharmony with nature or did not respect the wild world. Quite the opposite they acted like those who belonged there, taking a fight in order to defend themselves, not killing for their amusement. In the final speech in honor of his deceased friend Enkidu that Gilgamesh gave in front of the counselors of Uruk, he referred to Enkidu as to the son of the wild ass and the gazelle. It is hardly possible that he would mention that if he thought Enkidu’s origin and the life that he had led in woods before encountering Gilgamesh to be something shameful. A man in his situation, who was weeping for his friend and companion, would say only the best things about the deceased comrade. In this speech Gilgamesh referred to Enkidu as to his brother. If the king names someone like Enkidu to be his brother, it means that he does not mind a consequential relation to the world of animals. Being the “son of wild ass and the gazelle” Enkidu seemed to have been fully acknowledged as someone who was a part of the natural world, not civilized society. Taking into account that Enkidu was supposed to have been created as Gilgamesh’s second self it proves that those who wrote this poem gave a lot of credit to a human’s bond with nature, hinting that everyone should possess a part of Enkidu in his or her heart to become a full human.

Considering all the before mentioned it may be supposed that he poem reflected rather rural values than the urban ones. When Gilgamesh lived in the town and ruled his people he did not show the best qualities of man. He was a despot who was used to comfort which the king naturally received and the obedience of his folk. It was the journey with Enkidu, when he had only his friend by his side while travelling through forests and lands full of wild animals that finally made him human. Therefore the safe civilized town is contraposed to the experiences provided by the life in the wild that man should live through.

The Epic of Gilgamesh referred to the natural world with high regard and respect and it is no wonder that it was so, taking into account the time when it was created. The first version of it dates to the 18th century BC. People of that time must have had much stronger a bond with nature than modern people. A part of wild which Enkidu possessed was destined to complete Gilgamesh, to teach him how to feel what a human must feel and to develop worthy values in his soul.

Works Cited

George, Andrew. The Epic of Gilgamesh. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 2000. Print

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Epic of Gilgamesh — Review The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Review The Epic of Gilgamesh

• Categories: Epic of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh

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Words: 750 |

Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 750 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The theme of mortality and human existence in "the epic of gilgamesh", works cited.

• George, A. R. (2003). The Babylonian Gilgamesh epic: Introduction, critical edition and cuneiform texts (Vol. 1). Oxford University Press.
• Grayson, A. K. (2004). The epic of Gilgamesh (Vol. 1). Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.
• Kovacs, M. (1989). The epic of Gilgamesh. Stanford University Press.
• Leick, G. (2002). Mesopotamia: The invention of the city. Penguin.
• Leick, G. (2003). The Babylonians: An introduction. Routledge.
• Livingstone, A. (2012). Mystical and mythological explanatory works of Assyrian and Babylonian scholars. In H. F. J. Horstmanshoff, H. King, & C. N. van der Veer (Eds.), Medicine and religion in antiquity (pp. 371-392). Brill.
• Mitchell, S. (2006). Gilgamesh: A new English version. Simon & Schuster.
• Parpola, S. (2004). Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian scholars (Vol. 10). Eisenbrauns.
• Sanders, N. K. (2003). The epic of Gilgamesh: The babylonian epic poem and other texts in Akkadian and Sumerian. Penguin UK.
• Sandars, N. K. (1960). The epic of Gilgamesh. Penguin.

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition

Tuesday briefing: putin lashes out over incursion.

Plus, A.I. is helping piece together an ancient epic.

By Justin Porter

Putin blamed the West for Ukraine’s incursion

President Vladimir Putin lashed out at the West yesterday over Ukraine’s weeklong incursion into Russian territory. His comments were a sign of how the surprise attack has unsettled the Kremlin.

“The West is fighting us with the hands of the Ukrainians,” Putin said during a televised meeting with his top officials. “The enemy will certainly get the response he deserves, and all our goals, without doubt, will be accomplished.”

Even as Moscow scrambled to respond to the incursion in the Kursk region, Russian forces continued to pummel Ukrainian positions in the east, Kyiv military officials said.

The Kursk region’s acting governor was shown telling Putin by video link that 28 towns and villages were under Ukrainian control. He said Ukrainian troops had pushed nearly 12 kilometers into Russian territory. Separately, the head of Ukraine’s armed forces claimed control of more than twice as much territory, “about 1,000 square kilometers.”

Background: Analysts said that Ukraine’s move had two main goals: to draw Russian forces from the front lines in eastern Ukraine and to seize territory that could serve as a bargaining chip in future peace negotiations. Putin insisted that the attack would not soften his negotiating position.

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