background to gilgamesh
DESCRIPTION
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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Background to Gilgamesh
World LiteratureProfessor 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.
Elements of the Epic
Epic Hero Epic Conflict Heroic Quest Divine Intervention
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)
Mythology/ Epics timeline
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
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.
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