The Epic of Gilgamesh

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the epic poem "The Epic of Gilgamesh" from the ancient Mesopotamia. The author concedes that although there probably have been different versions and translations of this epic poem, the intended audience for this epic was probably the Sumerians. The paper suggests that whoever wrote the story down knew that history was being made and wanted to preserve it for centuries to come. The paper summarizes the poem and discusses how its historical context allows the reader to understand Gilgamesh and those who lived in his time. The author also calls the poem a historical document as it is the oldest surviving text of which the world is aware.

From the Paper:

"Gilgamesh is a character that allows us to see into the life of a king. It is no doubt that he and those he lead had a great respect for knowledge. After all, Gilgamesh was searching for the secret to immortality and he was revered for this feat. While he might not have been admired as a king, he was looked upon as sort of a hero for undertaking this journey. The journey that Gilgamesh embarks upon illustrates what man will do to learn the secret of an eternal life. However, in his godly pursuits, Gilgamesh was not above human experiences and emotions because he could not deny who he was."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities. New York: Prentice Hall. 2001.

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