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The Epic Hero:Gilagamesh

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1. Folk—stories about heroes, originally recited or sung as entertainment at feasts. Passed from generation to generation in the oral tradition (passing of material by word-of-mouth) until finally written down.

2. Literary—written by a specific author, usually borrowing the style and characteristics of the folk epic.

Types of Epics

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1. Epic Hero—brave, loyal, virtuous, although sometimes flawed.

2. Epic Conflict—the hero’s struggle against an obstacle or series of obstacles.

3. Heroic Quest—a perilous journey in search of something of value to his people.

4. Divine Intervention—the hero receives help (or an obstacle) from a god or other supernatural force.

Elements of the Epic

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1. Opening Statement of theme and the invocation to a muse (an appeal for supernatural help in telling the story.

2. “in media res”—Greek for “in the middle” of things. Readers are plunged into the middle of the action.

The Epic Convention

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4. Epic Simile—elaborate or extended comparisons using “like” or “as.”

5. Stock Epithet—standard name or descriptive phrase used throughout the epic; the audience at the time would recognize.

The Epic Conventions (Con’t)

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•Gilgamesh — King of Uruk

•He is 2/3 god and 1/3 human (Unusual Birth!)

•Emphasizes Gilgamesh’s legacy and enduring contributions.

(Opening statement of theme.)

Gilgamesh: The Prologue

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Characters:Gilgamesh

Enkidu—Gilgamesh’s best friend Humbaba the GiantEnlil—God of earth, wind, air, and agriculture

The Battle With Humbaba

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•Enkidu is created by the gods to keep Gilgamesh busy.

•He first lives as a wild animal, but after losing a wrestling match to

Gilgamesh, they become friends.

•They battle Humbaba, the giant of the cedar forest.

•Although he begs for his life, they cut off his head and bring it to the god Enil

(who is not very happy about it!)

Plot Summary

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Epic Hero—Gilgamesh

Epic conflict—The battle with Humbaba

Epic quest—to rid the land of danger

Divine Intervention—Enlil is angry and gives away Humbaba’s “splendors.”

Archetypes—warrior, best friend, monster, victory over a great foe, etc.

Elements of the Epic/Archetypes

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Characters:

Enkidu (speaking to Gilgamesh)

Ereshkigal (Queen of the Underworld)

Belit-Sheri (Keeper of the Book of Death)

Enkidu’s DREAM of the Underworld

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•Enkidu dreams of his own death.

•Death is a house of dust, filled with dead royalty, gods, and goddesses.

•When Belit-Sheri asks, “Who has brought this one here?” Enkidu

awakens.

Plot Summary

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Divine Intervention—The Queen of the Underworld sends him back to life.

Archetypes—best friend

Elements of the Epic/Archetypes

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Characters:

GilgameshUtnapishtim

UrshanabiEa (god of water and

wisdom)Enlil

The Story of the Flood

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•After Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh goes on a quest for

immortality. •Utnapishtim tells him how he survived the flood sent by the gods when humans

became too noisy. •Ea warned him and told him to build a

boat for himself, his family, and his animals.

•On the seventh day the storm ended. •After grounding on a mountain

he sent birds to find land. •Enlil was angry at first, but after Ea’s intervention granted them immortality.

Plot Summary

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Divine intervention—Enlil and Ea

Archetypes—the flood story, travel over water, birds, washing

with water, serpent

Elements of the Epic/Archetypes

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Characters:

Gilgamesh

Utnapishtim and his wife

Urshanabi (the ferryman)

The Return

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•Gilgamesh tries to stay awake for seven nights but fails.

(They mark the time with bread.) •Urshanabi takes him to find

the flower of immortality. •Gilgamesh dives deep to get it,

only to lose it to a serpent. •After returning to Uruk, he gains

“immortality” by writing his story in stone.

Plot Summary

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Hero—Gilgamesh Quest—to bring immortality to Uruk Conflict—with himself and the snake

Archetypes—travel across water, cleansing,serpent, road of trials, wisdom learned

Elements of the Epic/Archetypes