The "Gilgamesh" Epic

Paper Summary:

This paper deals with the importance of the study of the "Gilgamesh" epic as a means to study the textual history and development of ancient narratives, because it's the only Mesopotamian epic that is this well attested from so many different periods. A short summary of the epic is given, followed by a discussion of its development from a collection of Sumerian tales into the standard Akkadian version that we know today.

Outline
Summary of the Gilgamesh Epic
The ?Moral of the Story?
The Development of the Gilgamesh Epic in the Different Versions
The Authorship and Composition of the Gilgamesh Epic

From the Paper:

"But there is more to the story than this. In this Old Babylonian version Enkidu and Gilgamesh are both portrayed quite differently from their Sumerian counterparts and are already closer to how we encounter them in the standard version. Enkidu starts out as a wild, untamed creature, who is tamed and introduced into civilization where he submits himself to the authority of the king (Gilgamesh). They eventually become best friends and when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh submits entirely to grief. He experiences a "dark night of the soul" whereby he withdraws from society and lives on the steppe like a wild animal. He eventually comes to terms with the mortality (and humanity) of humans and re-enters the city as a transformed being."

More papers on The "Gilgamesh" Epic:

• Comparison Essay # 17106 : "Life and Death: Socrates and Gilgamesh"
• Analytical Essay # 42228 : "Epic of Gilgamesh"
• Comparison Essay # 54836 : "Jesus and Gilgamesh"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: