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Background to Gilgamesh

Background to Gilgamesh. World Literature Professor Beamen. Types of Epics. Folk epics —stories about heroes; recited or sung Literary Epics —borrow same characteristics of folk epics; usually written down by one author; some based on well-known characters or stories from oral tradition.

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Background to Gilgamesh

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  1. Background to Gilgamesh World Literature Professor Beamen

  2. Types of Epics • Folk epics—stories about heroes; recited or sung • Literary Epics—borrow same characteristics of folk epics; usually written down by one author; some based on well-known characters or stories from oral tradition.

  3. Elements of the Epic • Epic Hero • Epic Conflict • Heroic Quest • Divine Intervention

  4. Epic Conventions:-Invocation -in medias res -serious tone, elevated style -contain epic similes (elaborated comparisons) and epithets (poetic renamings) -Archetypes (recurring plot, character, symbol, idea)

  5. Mythology/ Epics timeline

  6. From the Prologue we learn that Gilgamesh is the King of Uruk, a city in ancient Mesopotamia--modern day Iraq.Earliest Civilization (Sumer, Egypt, Akkad) from 3200 to 2052 BC

  7. Gilgamesh Background • Both MYTH and LEGEND • Supernatural: 2/3 god &1/3 man based on a real king • Story is 4,000 years old—ancient Sumeria (modern Iraq) • Written on 12 clay tablets in Cuneiform. • Mesopotamia (Greek for “between two rivers”)—between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • One of the earliest URBAN civilizations we know of. This culture enjoyed a very sophisticated lifestyle over 4,000 years ago.

  8. Topics/Themes • Good vs. Evil • Spirituality • Immortality—why do we have to die? How do we attain everlasting life? • Friendship • What makes a good leader? • Responsibility • Balance/Harmony Cuneiform tablet

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