Preview

Gilgamesh Dialectical Journal

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
365 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Gilgamesh Dialectical Journal
1. During the translator’s notes, I thought it was interesting when it states that, “…translators frequently disagree among themselves as to what a given word or phrase could mean.” When I think about it, words in different languages can translate into different meanings and/or other words entirely. For example, in English when calling someone an ass, the animal representing that word is a donkey. While in Spanish, when calling someone an ass, it translates to an ox. It is interesting saying one word in one language and it meaning something else in another.
2. In lines 49-52 says, “Gilgamesh was singled out from the day of his birth,
Two-thirds of him was divine, one-third of him was human!
The Lady of Birth drew his body’s image,
The God
…show more content…
From the beginning we can come to the conclusion that he important, however, that passage really shows the uniqueness of him. Since the day of his birth, Gilgamesh, has been held at a higher standard than everyone else. Personally, I could not even imagine being held at such a high standard.
3. After line 60, it states that “Gilgamesh, in his arrogance and superior strength, abuses his subjects…” surprised me. Up until that moment, I thought Gilgamesh was perfect. I believed that he made no mistakes, never messed anything up. However, that statement completely threw me off. It was interesting to go back and read it all over again with understanding that Gilgamesh was not as perfect as I thought he was.
Questions:
1) When Gilgamesh was having dreams about the different objects, his mother kept saying that a companion will come a rescue a friend (rescue Gilgamesh?) and that Gilgamesh will fall in love with him and caress him like a women. Do you believe that those objects symbolize Enkidu? Also, do you believe that even though Enkidu was meant to be Gilgamesh’s rival, instead somehow they will become companions?
2) In Tablet 1, there is little information about Gilgamesh father. Why is that? Do you believe there is a certain reason for

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Gilgamesh is an epic poem and it is one of the earliest pieces of world literature. The epic of Gilgamesh is the greatest work of ancient Mesopotamia. There are several translations around the world, but the one that I came across with was translated by Benjamin R. Foster. Immortality was something king Gilgamesh always dreamt of, but a friendship was something he didn't have before. “ They kissed each other and made friends” (Ln 115). This text shows that it was just the beginning of a irreplaceable friendship between two different powerful men. This epic poem contains several themes such as the King Gilgamesh wanting immortality due to the things surrounding him. However, the theme that actually made king Gilgamesh to do such quest, was the…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    His abilities are unmatched, although his reputation was initially not necessarily earned, leading him to assault and kill Humbaba, around pages 208 and 209. However, Gilgamesh began to grow throughout his journey and he was not the same person he used to be. He changed positively and learned to better himself. Just as Gilgamesh was not the ultimate leader and warrior he was at the start, the subject in Project Gilgamesh underwent changes as well. These changes were mostly in the body’s chemical make-up through the experimental drugs that were involved in the procedure, but some were very psychological, much like Gilgamesh’s psychological…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    “Even though Gilgamesh does display some negative qualities, he his still to be viewed as a hero because…”…

    • 315 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gilgamesh is told to be the oldest existing story in the history of humankind, imminently, the story has many similarities to the bible. Bible is a text oof belief based lessons and the base of the religion of Christianity which has many similarities to Gilgamesh as in they both include the tales of worldly destruction with the reasons, destroyer and the saving. All similarities aside, the two texts can be contrasted as the bible is the root of world’s biggest universalizing religion and the Gilgamesh was not extracted as a manuscript and if man made errors are factored in, it may not have been comprehended as it was supposed to be. Gilgamesh and the bible can be compared and contrasted based on the stories, lessons and the effects on the evolution…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Take Home Exam #1 Discuss the legal concept of lex talionis (retributive justice) of which Hammurabi's code (among others) is an example. How does this differ from distributive (or corrective) justice? How does this compare to our system of justice in the U.S. today? Lex Talionis follows the ideology of retributive justice, one of four types of justice that is mainly affixed on punishment.…

    • 1946 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Throughout the Epic, Gilgamesh was perceived in countless ways: an authoritarian who was power hungry, a bloke who transitioned into a mighty slayer of evil, a depleted broken man, and finally someone who had overcome countless obstacles, satisfied with his life. Gilgamesh first became introduced into the Epic as a dominant king who was two-thirds divine, one-third human; his father, a previous king and his mother a goddess. King Gilgamesh felt as if he was superior to the common folk. Believing that everything was supposed to be bestowed upon him, it caused an uproar in his life. Gilgamesh's first form was the primary condition that was to be seen in this work. He was a tyrant king who cared only for himself, and the citizens of Uruk felt…

    • 189 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Myth of Gilgamesh Analysis

    • 1501 Words
    • 7 Pages

    As the story unfolds, we begin to see Gilgamesh more as a villain than a hero. For example, Gilgamesh “does whatever he wants, takes the son from his father and…

    • 1501 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Does Gilgamesh Change

    • 744 Words
    • 3 Pages

    the gods are angry with Gilgamesh and send down an equal of himself, they send…

    • 744 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Epic of Gilgamesh, suggests that the people of Mesopotamia expect their rulers to be strong, heroic, fearless, unselfish, and godly. Gilgamesh is said to be two-thirds god and one-thirds human, is described as being “strong, stately, and wise” and several times throughout the epic as “accomplished in strength”. However, not everyone sees the ruler as being great. Many believe that Gilgamesh exhibits many good characteristics but lacks generosity. The nobles at the beginning of the epic are one of those peoples who complain because Gilgamesh is acting tyrannically. They suggest that although they like how Gilgamesh is heroic and godly, they would like someone more democratic to be their ruler. In one part of the epic, Gilgamesh defeats…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gilgamesh was a very attractive masculine hero who was two thirds god and one third man. He was the powerful king of Uruk who went on a long, hard, and physical journey to achieve his number one goal, which was immortality. Through his journey Gilgamesh faced many obstacles and challenges that made it even more difficult in accomplishing his goal. There were many unimportant and important steps throughout his journey that showed the development of Gilgamesh’s true identity, and how he matured along the way.…

    • 950 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The story of The Epic of Gilgamesh is a western civilization historical poem that is mix of mythology and literature. It is to be believed was written around the first centuries of the second millennium B.C. considering one of the oldest, if not the oldest, ancient poem. It is about a hero who is desperate to become a god and goes an on quest for immortality. Within the pages of the old tale it reveals many hints of history, human nature, and myths of an ancient culture. Though the Sumerian Empire, the Mesopotamian culture, is long forgotten it has been told and retold by many for a reason. Is it because it’s similar views and culture? Is it because of its great story telling, its rich words? Or maybe because it enlighten the people historically? Though the tablets were founded by archaeologists in Middle East, it is a tale written by people of…

    • 897 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Hero Archetype

    • 716 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh is told not to be 100 percent God. He is two-thirds God and one-third man. His mother Ninsun created him from clay and other Gods gave him his looks and personality. God of Storms gave him courage, and God of Wisdom gave him the ability to learn from his experiences. While he was created by God’s he was still human, and with this death was inevitable. As I was reading the story from the book, I asked myself why would the God’s make a part man part human? Maybe this was to humble Gilgamesh since he was a prideful being. In society today, people are blessed with certain talents such as being athletic and athletic sometimes think they are above the law. This is the same with Gilgamesh. He acts as if he is pure God, or above the law.…

    • 716 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The introduction of Gilgamesh does not prompt the reader to believe Gilgamesh was in any type of confusion or chaos, as demonstrated by the following passage: “As king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people. He demanded, from an old birthright, The privilege of sleeping with their brides Before the husbands were permitted” (Mason 15). Lending inferences from this excerpt, Gilgamesh is shown as a man who is extremely self-righteous and selfish. His introduction is proof that his people were the ones in turmoil because of his callousness and arrogance. Not only does Allingham say that the hero is introduced in the story at a time of turmoil, but another characteristic is the hero’s undertaking of a long, perilous…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Enkidu's Manhood

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh emphasizes throughout its workings the value of manhood. To be a man at this time means that one is a respected and useful member of society. Manhood and its related qualities were greatly value and revered throughout the culture. Therefore, the elusive quality of manhood must be strived for at all times in order for one to become a hero of that time. The descriptive passage alludes to the qualities of manhood and the weight that this carries.…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gilgamesh on the other hand is the ruler of Uruk. In order to be able to keep his people alive he needs to be level headed and strong willed. Gilgamesh is so strong willed he seems arrogant, he believes he…

    • 2815 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays