Gilgamesh: God And Man

Gilgamesh Name Institution Gilgamesh 1. At the start of the poem, Gilgamesh is described as “god and man”, while Enkidu is described as “animal and man” (15). Based on these descriptions, what attributes would you associate with each of these characters? (create a t-chart) Gilgamesh was a hero with numerous exceptional qualities, such as heroism, perseverance, and loyalty. He, however, exhibited character flaws as he was prideful, selfish, and self-righteous. He was prominently regarded as perfect (4). Enkidu was a strong and bold man intended by the gods to match Gilgamesh's strength. As an uncivilized man, he lives a simple and peaceful life in the wild. However, when he sleeps with Shamhat, he loses his innocence and becomes "civilized". He is initially a symbol of the natural world. Gilgamesh Enkidu Tyrant Ignorant of oldness Perseverance Quick-tempered Bold and strong Timid Self-righteousness Innocent Selfish Peaceful Prideful Humble Heroism Ignorant Educated Uncivilized Flawless Imperfect 2. How do Gilgamesh’s people seem to feel about their king? Use specific quotations from the text to support your ideas and analyze the specific implications of the words the poet uses in this section (pgs. 15-16) The people of Gilgamesh are frightened and disturbed by his high-handedness. Gilgamesh has untamable passion for sex and war, characteristic of a prototypical lusty warrior. Being a two-thirds god and just one-third man, he did many terrible things and became a danger within Uruk walls. While he forced sons into the army before they became men, he devirginized girls and raped wives without considering their families' social standings. After his subjects pray to Aruru and Anu to protect them from their terrible ruler, Gilgamesh's creator creates Enkidu, a wild man bearing god-like status. 3. Enkidu is described as being “ignorant of oldness”, “not knowing fear or wisdom” and as running with the “freed gazelle/Like a brother.../Like two friends” (16). What inferences are readers able to make about Enkidu based on these words? The words expose Enkidu as a kind and innocent animal-man, living a peaceful and free life. The reader gets the impression of a friendly man, although uncivilized. 4. Compare this to the implications behind the way that the hunter’s son sees him, as a “creature” (16). The hunter sees him as a giant and is frightened. He runs home to report to the father that there is a terror in the land. His father advises him to get a temple prostitute to copulate with Enkidu. This is meant to curb his powers, and so it happens. 5. Why do you think the hunter wants Gilgamesh to send a “prostitute” to Enkidu as a way to neutralize the threat he poses to their “livelihood” (17)? Why not simply kill Enkidu? The way the hunter’s son describes Enkidu convinces the father that indeed Enkidu is a mighty man. It would no...