Epic of Gilgamesh translated by N' K' Sandars

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Epic of Gilgamesh translated by N. K. Sandars
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story Literary Focus Epic
Hero Reading Skills Visualizing the Epic
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Epic of Gilgameshtranslated by N. K. Sandars
Gilgamesh, the Lion Spirit
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Epic of Gilgameshtranslated by N. K. Sandars
I will break in your door and burst in your
gate, for I am Gilgamesh. . . .
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Epic of Gilgameshtranslated by N. K. Sandars
Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, is two-thirds god
and one-third man.
FAULTS
GOOD QUALITIES
arrogant
handsome
bad ruler
courageous
disrespectful of the gods
powerful
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Epic of GilgameshLiterary Focus Epic Hero
An epic hero is an epics larger-than-life main
character, a leader whose mighty deeds reflect
the values admired by the people of that time.
Based on what you know of Gilgamesh, what
qualities did the Sumerians value?

• Physical strength
• Courage

Gilgamesh, or the Lion Spirit
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Epic of GilgameshLiterary Focus Epic Hero
Gilgamesh is the earliest known epic hero.
Can you think of other epic heroes?

• Odysseus
• King Arthur
• Bilbo Baggins
• Luke Skywalker

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Epic of GilgameshReading Skills Visualizing the
Epic
An epic is full of action. You can improve your
understanding of the epic if you try forming
mental images of events as they happen.
Close your eyes for a moment and listen to the
following passage from the Epic of Gilgamesh.
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Epic of GilgameshReading Skills Visualizing the
Epic
To help you form mental images of the
storys action, try these strategies

• describe the event to a partner
• draw a picture of the scene or write it down
• read aloud and picture the events in your mind

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Background
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Epic of GilgameshBackground
Mesopotamian societies faced constant threats from

• droughts
• floods
• attacks by hostile neighbors

Even their gods were vengeful, offering no hope
of a joyful afterlife.
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Epic of GilgameshBackground
The Epic of Gilgamesh is at least one thousand
years older than

• the Iliad
• the Odyssey
• most of the books in the Hebrew Bible

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Epic of GilgameshBackground
The story of Gilgamesh may have served as the
model for later heroic myths in Greece, India,
and Persia.
Even the modern space epic Star Trek The Next
Generation makes reference to Gilgamesh.
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Quickwrite
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Epic of GilgameshQuickwrite
Make the Connection
The search for everlasting life is a persistent
theme in world mythology and literature. Think of
stories you have read or films you have seen that
explore this theme. Why do you think so many of
them end with failure or disaster or with an
ironic twist that surprises you?
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Vocabulary
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Epic of GilgameshVocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary somber adj. dark
dismal. ominous adj. seeming to threaten evil
or misfortune sinister. deluge n. great flood.
transgression n. act that goes beyond limits
set by laws. pestilence n. deadly disease.
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Epic of GilgameshVocabulary
Vocabulary Activity Answer the following
questions with yes or no.

• Do you consider the black plague a pestilence?
• Would a judge be likely to dismiss a
  transgression?
• Are you happy your vacation spot featured a
  deluge?
• Is somber attire appropriate for a wedding?
• Would a tornado on the horizon be an ominous sign?

yes
no
no
no
yes
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