Lecture Notes on Gilgamesh

Introduction

• Audience: The reading is dedicated to Ali, a student who has taken multiple classes.
• Text Information:
  • Translation by Benjamin Foster, Norton Critical Editions.
  • Original text survives on 11 clay tablets (only about 60% intact).
  • The reading experience mimics encountering a broken text, with gaps noted.

Tablet 1 Overview

• Gilgamesh's Attributes:
  • Seen as wise, knowledgeable, and heroic.
  • Described as having a divine and human nature (2/3 divine, 1/3 human).
• City of Uruk:
  • Described as a magnificent city with impressive walls and structures.
  • Uruk's features include a treasury, temples, and the dwelling of Ishtar.

Gilgamesh's Character

• Physical Description:
  • Tall and strong; perfect in height, ideally handsome.
  • Described metaphorically as a wild bull.
• Behavior:
  • A tyrant in Uruk, harrying young men and women.
  • Complaints arise from the people to the gods for relief from Gilgamesh's rampage.

Creation of Enkidu

• Divine Intervention:
  • The gods decide to create a counterpart for Gilgamesh to bring balance to Uruk.
  • Aruru, the goddess, creates Enkidu from clay, giving him animal-like traits.
• Enkidu's Appearance:
  • Described as shaggy, strong, and wild.
  • Lives in harmony with wildlife, ignorant of human civilization.

Encounter with the Hunter

• Hunter's Fear:
  • Hunter encounters Enkidu and is terrified due to his strength.
  • The hunter reports back to his father about Enkidu's power.
• Advice from Father:
  • The father suggests that the hunter seek out Gilgamesh for help.

The Role of Shamhat

• Shamhat's Introduction:
  • A harlot is sent to tame Enkidu by using her charms.
  • Shamhat's role is to seduce Enkidu, bringing him into civilization.
• Enkidu's Transformation:
  • After six days with Shamhat, Enkidu loses his wildness and gains human understanding.

Journey to Uruk

• Desire for Friendship:
  • Enkidu expresses a desire to meet Gilgamesh and challenge him.
• Shamhat's Encouragement:
  • Shamhat encourages Enkidu to embrace civilization and seek out Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh's Dreams

• First Dream:
  • Gilgamesh dreams of a powerful being coming to him, interpreted as a strong companion.
• Second Dream:
  • Dreams of an axe, symbolizing the arrival of a strong friend to rescue him.
• Mother's Interpretation:
  • Ninsun interprets the dreams, assuring Gilgamesh that he will find a companion to share his strength.

Conclusion

• Destiny of Gilgamesh and Enkidu:
  • Both characters are drawn together, highlighting themes of friendship and balance in power.
  • Their fates are intertwined, with the potential for monumental adventures ahead.