EPIC OF GILGAMESH + STUDY GUIDE

This app features the Epic of Gilgamesh inclusive of Study Guide.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia and among the earliest known literary writings in the world. It originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems in cuneiform script dating back to the early 3rd or late 2nd millenium BCE, which were later gathered into a longer Akkadian poem (the most complete version existing today, preserved on 12 clay tablets, dates from the 12th to 10th Century BCE). It follows the story of Gilgamesh, the mythological hero-king of Uruk, and his half-wild friend, Enkidu, as they undertake a series of dangerous quests and adventures, and then Gilgamesh’s search for the secret of immortality after the death of his friend. It also includes the story of a great flood very similar to the story of Noah in The Bible and elsewhere.

The story begins with the introduction of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, two-thirds god and one-third human, blessed by the gods with strength, courage and beauty, and the strongest and greatest king who ever existed. The great city of Uruk is also praised for its glory and its strong brick walls.

However, the people of Uruk are not happy, and complain that Gilgamesh is too harsh and abuses his power by sleeping with their women. The goddess of creation, Aruru, creates a mighty wild-man named Enkidu, a rival in strength to Gilgamesh. He lives a natural life with the wild animals, but he soon starts bothering the shepherds and trappers of the area and jostles the animals at the watering hole. At the request of a trapper, Gilgamesh sends a temple prostitute, Shamhat, to seduce and tame Enkidu and, after six days and seven nights with the harlot, he is no longer just a wild beast who lives with animals. He soon learns the ways of men and is shunned by the animals he used to live with, and the harlot eventually persuades him to come to live in the city. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh has some strange dreams, which his mother, Ninsun, explains as an indication that a mighty friend will come to him.

The rest of the story is contained within this app. The contents of this Epic Of Gilgamesh app includes:

★ Preface

★ The First Tablet: Of the Tyranny of Gilgamesh, and the Creation of Enkidu

★ The Second Tablet: Of the Meeting of Gilgamesh and Enkidu

★ The Third Tablet: The Expedition to the Forest of Cedars against Humbaba

★ The Fourth Tablet: The Arrival at the Gate of the Forest

★ The Fifth Tablet: Of the Fight with Humbaba

★ The Sixth Tablet: Of the Goddess Ishtar, Who Fell In Love With the Hero After His

Exploit Against Humbaba

★ The Seventh Tablet: The Death of Enkidu

★ The Eighth Tablet: Of the Mourning of Gilgamesh, and What Came of It

★ The Ninth Tablet: Gilgamesh In Terror of Death Seeks Eternal Life

★ The Tenth Tablet: How Gilgamesh Reached Uta-Napishtim

★ The Eleventh Tablet: The Flood

★ The Twelfth Tablet: Gilgamesh, In Despair, Enquires of the Dead

★ Study Guide:

-Plot Overview

-Summary and Analysis of Tablets 1 to 12

-Character List (summary of characters)

-Character Analysis: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Utnapishtim and Siduri

-Themes

-Motifs

-Symbols

-Key Facts

-Important Quotations Explained

-Full Book Quiz

-Study Questions

-Suggested Essay Topics

-Sample Essay #1 - 6

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