Gilgamesh

Analytical Essay # 116778

Literature > Mythology
Literature > World

Gilgamesh

A look at the literature surrounding the epic of Gilgamesh.

841 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper refers to several books that discuss claims of Gilgamesh's historical existence, the background of the history of the story and the detail of Gilgamesh the person. The paper shows how whether it is a myth, an actual and accurate account of real events, a biblical story, or an exaggerated tale, the epic of Gilgamesh has served many purposes and has been interpreted to convey several different ideas over the years.

From the Paper:

"There are many stories that have circulated around the world throughout history with Gilgamesh starring as the main character. Even today, there are people who believe him to be a significant piece of world literature. For almost two thousand years, the epic was lost. Until the discovery in 1853 of eleven clay tables with the tale inscribed on them buried in Nineveh's ruins. It is said to predate The Iliad by approximately a millennia. Experts estimate the Mesopotamian work to have been composed in around the second millennium B.C. According to Fred Rhodes, in his article entitled, "Gilgamesh," published in The Middle East, October 2005, the inscription was not fully deciphered and translated until decades after its discovery (65)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press, 1989.
Rhodes, Fred. "Gilgamesh." The Middle East Oct 2005: 65.
Young-Mason, Jeanine. "Understanding Suffering and Compassion." Cross Currents Fall 2001: 347.
Ziolkowski, Eric. "An Ancient Newcomer to Modern Culture." World Literature Today 81.5(2007): 55-57.