Epic of Gilgamesh (Char, Themes, symb etc.) Flashcards
Gilgamesh
- Protagonist of the story
- King of Uruk
- Strong, handsome, virtuous
- Two thirds god and one third mortal
Enkidu
- Once rival now companion of Gilgamesh
- Similar to Gilgamesh in strength and virtues
- Half man and half animal
Humbaba
- Demon
- Guards the cedar forest forbidden to mortals that Gilg and Enkidu steal trees from
Ishtar
- The goddess of love and fertility, as well as the goddess of war
- Patroness of Uruk
- Ishtar wants Gilg but when he rejects her she asks her father Anu to send the Bull of Heaven to punish Gilg
Anu
- Father of Ishtar
- God of the sky
Bull of Heaven
- Divine beast sent by Anu to seek revenge against Gilg for denying his daughter Ishtar
- The bull brings seven years of famine
Utnapishtim
- Granted eternal life after the flood
- The Mesopotamian Noah
Shamhat
- ## temple prostitute who tames Enkidu by seducing him away from his natural state
Theme: Death
The major theme of the poem is that of mortality. Gilgamesh must learn the difficult lesson that, even as a king, he too must face the reality of his own death. On their way to the Cedar Forst to face Humbaba, Enkidu expresses his concerns about death, which Gilgamesh laughs off, telling Enkidu that no one lives forever and that life is short. However, when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh is so distraught that he seeks out Utnapishtim to learn the secret of immortality. Despite his hopes, Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of the flood. He explains to Gilgamesh that the quest for immortality is a futile one, as creation itself also contains the seed of death, making it inescapable. The Gods, he explains, intentionally did this. Gilgamesh returns to Uruk having learned that the quality of one’s life is measured not by wealth or fame, but by the quality of the time he spent while alive and the people with which he surrounded himself.
Theme: Love and Friendship
When we first meet Gilgamesh, he is a tyrant king who terrifies the people of Uruk. Only after meeting Enkidu and becoming his friend does Gilgamesh transform into a hero worthy of memory. This transformative effect is also exacted on Enkidu, who Gilgamesh helps move beyond his fears. The platonic love the two have for each other helps Gilgamesh become a better leader to his people by allowing him to better understand and identify with them. When considered in tandem with the theme of death in the poem, love and friendship can be viewed not only as a part of life, but as a necessary component to give existence meaning.
Symbol: water
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, water serves as a powerful symbol representing both rejuvenation and destruction. It embodies the gods’ will and the cycle of life and death. After significant events, Gilgamesh and Enkidu bathe, symbolizing both physical and spiritual cleansing and rejuvenation, akin to baptism in Christianity. This ritual connects them to the gods and reaffirms their identity. Additionally, the flood in the epic signifies literal death and rebirth on a massive scale, highlighting the inseparable connection between destruction and renewal. Overall, water symbolizes physical cleansing, spiritual rejuvenation, and the cyclical nature of existence in the Sumerian Epic, reflecting the divine will of the gods.
Symbol: Doorways
Images of doorways, portals, and gateways constantly recur in Gilgamesh. Enkidu blocks the doorway of the bride’s chamber and wrestles with Gilgamesh. Enkidu and Gilgamesh stand awestruck and terrified before the gates to the Cedar Forest. After their triumph there, they fashion the tallest tree into a gate for Uruk. The Scorpions guard the gates of Mashu. Siduri the barmaid locks the door to her tavern. The hatchway of Utnapishtim’s boat is caulked shut. In most cases, doorways mark a transition from one level of consciousness to another. They also represent choices, since characters can either shut themselves behind doorways to seek safety or boldly venture through them.
