I think he's more upset about his own mortality realization because he started the journey for Enkidu and to honor him and then he ends up changing the path of his travels to support himself. He talked to the gods about immortality and didn't bring up Enkidu, who was the beginnning purpose of his journey.
I think Gilgamesh is more scared of his death because since he is close to a god since he has been treated like one since he was a child and that he has never really thought about death.
I think that though Gilgamesh does mourn for Enkidu because they were best friends, his selfish quest reveals that he was wholly concerned with his own mortality.
I think that he is more upset about realizing his own mortality, because none of this book was ever really about Enkidu's death or thier relationship, and all I really saw out of Gilgamesh was his selfishness
I think that Gilgamesh is more upset over the realization of his own mortality, because Enkidu's death caused his realization. The compounding effect is why I think that the realization is more upsetting for Gilgamesh.
I think Gilgamesh is a lot more concered about his own mortality. I'm sure up until Enkidu died, Gilgamesh thought that he would live forever and so would the people he cared about. I don't think Gilgamesh ever had any reason to fear death until this point because he had never experienced it before. Suddenly he realizes that if this strong man whom he has befriended can die so suddenly simply because the Gods willed it then Gilgamesh has a lot to fear.
I believe that Gilgamesh is more afraid of his realization of his own mortality. Once Enkidu died Gilgamesh was left alone, for Enkidu was his only friend and now that he was gone he didnt have anyone. However Gilgamesh immediately began trying to find immortality so he would never have to experience death.
I think he was very upset about his friend's death but then it made him realize that it can happen to him so now he is trying to find immortality so he wont die or the people he loves wont die.
I think he's more afraid of his own mortality, I don't think he really ever relized what he was getting into and the risk he was really taking untill Enkidu died.
It seems like Giglamesh had never really experienced the death of someone close to him. He was so focused on the joys of life he had never thought about death until it impacted his life directly. This might be why he was so upset once Enkidu died because it made him feel alone and helpless.
I think that Gilgamesh is much more upset about his own mortality because he always seemed selfish throughout the entire story. It even says in the last tablet that he realizes that everything that he has done has been for his own selfish reasons. If he had cared so much about Enkidu then he would have done more to save him or bring him back rather than worry about his own mortality.
@Maddie/Moritz I think of Gilgamesh as a rather selfish person, but I see these events as connecting. Without losing his friend, Gilgamesh would never have even cared about immortality. The loss of him, made him realize that he had nothing in his current life, so he began to search for immortality for a better future.
I think it was both, I think that up until his death he lived this perfect life and nothing was bad so his death was a little crazy for him. However, I also think he was worried about himself and it freaked him out realizing that he can and will die.
I think that he he was upset about his death because he realized that Enkidu was a better person. He mentions that he might not be raised as a person in the after-life. That would be a really scary thing if you think that your after-life is going to be pathetic.
However it was not until Enkidu died that he felt a worry about his own.
I think Gilgamesh is more upset about his own mortality. Throughout the book we discover more and more that Gilgamesh is so accustom to being the center of attention, and I believe he truly doesn’t know any better than to only think of himself. In the story it also shows that Gilgamesh acts very cowardly at times, like when they have to kill Humbaba, and I think he becomes so overwhelmed with the fear of death that again, he becomes more overwhelmed of his own mortality rather than Enkidu's death.
I think that Gilgamesh is more afraid of his own mortality. The death of Enkidu acted as a wake up call for Gilgamesh in the sense that all people do die and the same rules would apply to him.
I think Gilgamesh is more afraid about his own death and Enkidu made him realize how afraid he was. Gilgamesh told everyone that he was filled with sorrow from his friends death and now he is afraid of his own fate
I think that people aren't as afraid of dying, I think they are more afraid of the unknown factor of what happens after death. Even people with strong faiths have lingering questions.
I think death will always be a fear for people because it is fear of the unknown. Some people's religion gives them hope of life after death which is one way to deal with the fear of death. I think that is an important thing to have in one's life as it takes away the hopelessness of dying.
I don't think people are afraid to die in this world because most believe in something after death and others know it's going to happen in life so they live life to the fullest.
I think people fear death because it's the end of the road here, basically. The fact that death can happen so suddenly, without people getting a chance to say goodbye, is scary and no one wants to face that. When people are dying and they know they are, I think it allows them to have peace with their death. If it's unexpected, then people may fear it because they know that if it could happen to that one person, it could happen to you as well.
I think that some people in this world are more afraid of death than others when others have accepted that, it kinda seems like only those who are close to death are they only ones who know how to accept it.
There are some people who are afraid of dying because they don't know what's going to happen after death. When people are blind they fear what they can't see.
It doesn't really seem to me like people are quite as afraid of death in the modern world. It doesn't seem like death is talked about quite as much unless of course we are in times of war. But the way I see it, people at least in modern America aren't as afraid of death and that's probably because of religion to a large extent. I agree with what Carly is saying in the center about how it affects us a lot more when younger people are dying though.
I think yes because that is the reason people are so intune to safety and people are so watchful over their children and other things. However I think people today understand that death is a reality and they just fear the thought and what goes with death.
I feel like the fear of death isn't just based off of your religion or if you believe in the after life, but rather what you have accomplished what you do in your life, and that you have done all the things in your life. Personally for me, I just want to make sure that when I die it is at the right time. And that I have accomplished everything that I was supposed to accomplish in my life. But I would rather live a quality life, then have my life extended on by machines and not have any quality to life.
I think plenty of people are afraid of death. We've outlawed the death penalty in (I think) 14 states. If people weren't so afraid of it, I doubt that we'd have 14 states without the death penalty. When people feel that it's "cruel and unusual punishment", there has to be an emotional reason behind that decision. At the same time, due to different religions, people aren't necessarily so afraid of death. The hope of a good afterlife means that people don't fear it as much.
I think that today most people believe in a happier afterlife than most Sumerians did back then. Therefore I feel like today there is more of a comfort in death and we accept it as a part of life so it is not as scary as it used to be when we are talking about death in older people. I still think that today we still are scared and not ok with the death of children.
No i do not believe that people in the modern world are as afraid of death. Now we understand that death is a natural concept and it will happen to everyone at one point. Death will be mourned, but it is unavoidable. With all of our new technology life can be prolonged, but its going to happen no matter what. I feel like people are afraid of death in the healthy because its a surprise, but when your old or sick it is normal.
I think that it depends. If you are really religious and you feel that you have lived your life according to your beliefs then no I do not think that people are as afraid of death.
Death is the unknown though and people are often afraid of not knowing what is going to happen.
When people are older I think they are tired of life and ready for death. Right now when I think of death I think of everything that I COULD do with my life that I have not done. Dying today would scare me. So I agree that age has an affect on people.
Allie - I think it's that natural fear of losing a loved one that prompts people to use any resource in hope that it can save them. It's easy for us all to say we wouldn't want to keep someone 'alive' with machines but maybe if we were in the position with a friend or family member we might be desperate to try and save them in any way.
I think people fear the pain and sorrow of death more then death itself. I am afraid of dying in pain but im not afraid of dying peacefully. I think people also fear the pain that everyone else feels from their death. But
I think it depends on the person. I think some people are afraid of death because they don't know what will happen, but others are completely accepting of death. Death is a natural way of life. It happens to everyone.
As far as what is old and what is young, when you read the old books of religion they have people who live up to 800, so is 90 really old? or is it just the custom age of old now?
I think some people cant let go of the ones they love, and don't realize that they are not helping them by keeping them alive. They are almost being selfish for using a machine to keep them "alive"
I think that some people are very afraid of death nowadays. With all the advancement in technologies and medical treatment, people think that there should be cures for everything.
I think Gilgamesh risks his life to gain immortality because he makes rash decisions all the time without thinking them through. He has survived everything else he has faced, so he just believes nothing will happen to him. Plus, he was used to someone like Enkidu telling him when he was making a dumb choice.
I think that G realizes that death is going to happen no matter what if he doesnt try to become immortal, and he was so caught up in his life that he wanted it so bad, that he didnt look at the consequences and the possibility of death on his trip.
Gilgamesh knows he is going to die anyway so by risking his life to gain immortatlity is essentially not risking anything. He only has something to gain which is immortality.
faith- It's probably the "old age" of today. If you read later on, in the Bible for example, the Lord says somewhere after the Noah incident that people aren't going to live that long anymore. After that, our max age was diminished to somewhere around today's max age. Also, if you look at the medieval era, if you lived until you were 40, you had a long life. We've more or less doubled that with scientific advancements. I think it depends on when you live that influences how you think about how long you live.
Kaite Q: I think that Gilgamesh likes the challenge of seeking something new. I think that he is somewhat egotistical, and therefore whats people to be impressed with him that he is trying to attain immortality.
I think that it is just how he thinks because his whole life he has been given anything and everything that he wants and the only thing he has ever lost was his brother. I think that he thinks that he is untouchable because he has never really lost a battle, but he needs to make sure he will never die by being able to live forever.
I think G relizes that he can either die and not try or he can die and he can try. It's like he understood there was no point in living if he didn't try.
I think Gilgamesh changes in that he is more aware of the reality of death because of Enkidu. I don't know that we can really see a change in Gilgamesh's personality because he seems selfish and egotistical through most of the story.
Gilgamesh is definitely a live in the moment kind of guy. Things that happen can suddenly send him on some epic trip and he never stops to think about why exactly he's making this decision or what the consequences will be. I think Gilgamesh is suddenly so afraid of his mortality that he will do anything to prevent himself from being the next corpse. I don't honestly ever think it really occured to Gilgamesh that he might die trying to save himself.
Gilgamesh wants to become immortal and risks his life traveling the hardest paths and challenging his life already. He does not want to experience death and he was going to achieve death or die trying. I think he has a lot of support but he is full of sorrow so i dont know why people support him that much. All his life people were heelping him and giving him everything he wanted so this was a big blow when he couldnt acheive immortality.
Gilgamesh started out as a huge jerk, and that's the reason why Enkidu was sent to him. He then makes a new friend who becomes like his brother, but once he died, he returned to his selfish ways. I think he might be more humble and less of a jerk but that his selfishness will always be a characteristic of his.
Chelsea- I do think that line is important because it shows a bit of Gilgamesh's ego. He believes that he is above mortality and that he shouldn't die. He is scared that Enkidu died because Enkidu and himself were so much alike. It made Gilgamesh realize that he only is human.
At the beginning of the book Gilgamesh relies completely on other people to serve him, however throughout the book he realizes that he is a mortal and must fight for himself and he cant rely on others anymore.
I think he was so focused on having immortality that he looked past what he had to sacrifice to achieve it. I don't think he realized what it would take to attain immortality. I feel like he was too distracted with what happened to his best friend to worry about his own death when trying to achieve this immortality status.
I think Gilgamesh risks his life to achieve immortality because fear takes over his judgement. His fear of actually dieing is just stronger than his reason to stay safe and alive. When you have a fear of something you normally do not overcome it but rather run from it.
Throughout the novel, I think Gligamesh realized what it meant to have a friendship with someone. He has grown up being in charge of everthing and getting what he wants. Through his friendship with Enkidu I think he learns what it truly means to care for someone. This ultimately leads to his difficulty dealing with Enkidu's death because he has never cared for someone so much before.
I don't think G wants to relize that he's wrong, he may just be in denile or he could be so self centered that he doesn't believe that he will die, he belives that he is immortal.
I really feel like Gilgamesh is really a coward and selfish and that is why he doesn't want to die. He may have changed a little bit throughout the book, but still was pretty selfish in the end. I don't beleive he ever truly accepted his fate
Carlee- I think Gilgamesh makes one final attempt to gain immortality by diving for the special plant. When the plant is taken away from him, I think this is when he ultimately realizes that death is something he cannot escape.
Carlee- I think that Gilgamesh likes challenges, and likes people telling him how great he is. I think that this would have proved just how committed Gilgamesh was to seeking immortality.
I do not think that he accepts his mortality because at the end after the snake takes the plant, Gilgamesh starts to weep that he cannot be young again.
I think Gilgamesh is just very narcisstic in a way, because he doesn't care about anyone but himself. It wouldn't matter to him if people that he loves died, because to him, people are replacable.
I think that Gilgamesh really only cared about Enkidu and that's why he still wants immortality for himself. There really isn't anyone else in the story that Gilgamesh has a bond with, in a way it seems to me like Gilgamesh saw himself as above everyone except Enkidu.
I think he accepted his own death at the end. I feel like he came to realize that death is unavoidable and is going to happen even to him. I think he learned that he couldn't stop death and needed to accept that Enkidu passed and so will he.
i have a quick question- On Gilgameshs journy he met the scorpion man he said that no man has ever made it this far, so he wished him well on his way; did Ur-shanabi want eternal life or was he just granted it?
I think that the inn keeper signifies Gilgamesh's desires to get ahead in life. I think that this was supposed to reveal how committed Gilgamesh was to his cause. This encounter showed that Gilgamesh was committed to gaining immortality because he was willing to go to such great measures to gain it.
At the end of the book i believe that gilgamesh did accept death. He tried and he failed so now he had to get over it and prepare for his own death. He went home and built walls and his monument.He accepted it because he had no other choice.
I think if Gilgamesh were to put down the walls and let people into his life it would make him think twice about being immortal, but he is so focused on living forever that he puts up more walls so no one can get close to him
After Enkidus death, Gilgamesh was really affected by it and i think that the walls symbolize that he is done trying and if people actually care for him, they will try to break down those walls.
@ashlyn I believe Ur-shanabi was just granted immortality because he wasnt looking to live forever, he was just looking for a way to survive the flood, and the gods then realized they couldnt kill off all the humans, so they made him immortal.
Walls usually have a symbolism of protection for the things inside. Walls being put up would mean that what ever was left inside needed to be protected and not harmed anymore. Enkidu's death would have have harmed him if the friendship was actually real.
Haley's ?~I think that Gilgamesh put up more walls because the one person that he cared for Enkidu, died, and he is afraid that if he lets more people in his life he will just be more hurt and sad.
The walls probably symbolize how Gilgamesh isolates himself from others, as well as isolates others from himself. In a way, he likes to hear that he is great, but it also seems like he enjoys being alone too. After Enkidu's death, though, I think Gilgamesh needs to be constantly surrounded by people.
I think that the walls symbolize Gligamesh's insecurities. The walls are a way for him to falsely protect himself, just like he does in almost everything else. Gilgamesh is constantly ignoring what people have to say and also afraid of criticism and death. By building the walls he may be trying to keep all his irrational fears out. So the walls gave him a false sense of security.
Haley- I think that walls symbolize a foundation. Gilgamesh wants to leave a foundation for the rest of the world. Something strong and set in stone that won't fade away.
How does it show that he has friends if they tear down what he built up? Wouldn't that make them disrespectful to him? I think the walls were just there so Gilgamesh could make his legacy live on.
Ashlyn- I think that Ur-shanabi wanted to survive the flood, as well as prove to the gods that they weren't the supreme power in the land-that he had knowledge too.
I don't really know if there is any symbolic reference in the building of the walls. It didn't really seem like that huge of a thing to me. I think Gilgamesh may have just wanted to build them. Do we always need a deep reason to do things?
Carlee&Adam- Did Uta-napishti(sorry i asked about the wrong guy, but you got what i meant) want to live though or did the gods tell him to build the boat for the flood? and was because on day 7 the earth returned to normal, the number 7 is so important in the book?
Stephanie's Q~I'm pretty sure the tunnel was where the sun passed through when it changed from day to night. By crossing it, Gilgamesh proved how much he wanted to obtain his immortality.
I think the tunnels represent courage and faith. In order to get through the tunnels Gilgamesh would have had to have the courage to trust himself that no matter what was in the tunnel he could get through it and he would have had to have faith that there was an end to the darkness and he would not be stuck in there forever.
I think the tunnels represented another road-block for Gilgamesh to travel to show how much he truly wants to attain immortality. If he continued trough the unknown it gave him a greater chance to achieve what he wanted. It was another test of how much courage and faith he has.
chelseas~I'm not sure whether Gilgamesh could be considered a hero. Though he and Enkidu killed the monster, and he protected his people, I feel his selfish mindset might have offset his potential hero status. In his personal quest for immortality he failed.
Parker- I think that we don't have one common epic, but I think we have common motifs of what to live for. In America, we have this idea of the American Dream, which helps us lead the ideal American life. I think that with so many people and views on Earth, it is impossible to find one common epic.
Chelsea- To me Gilgamesh is not much of a hero because he didn't do anything to create a change. The whole story focused on his friendship with Ennkidu and then his quest to find immortality. I believe Enkidu was actually more of a hero than Gligamesh because he taught Gilgamesh what it meant to have a friendship. Enkidu also encouraged Gilgamesh to take on new challenges and go outside of his comfort box.
Isn't our epic kind of the rags to riches? IT's like the goal is the american dream, and the problems are the trials and troubles that we have everyday. However I don't think there is one chosen person like G to do anything. Were all reaching for the goal and we just have our own epics.
Chelsea- I do not this Gilgamesh is a hero, he was done several different things to be considered a 'hero' but it is not a life long hero. For example when he kills the bull the town may consider him for a day but it isnt so heroic to consider him a hero. I think he wants to never be forgotten but he cant claim that title himself his actions have to. He did heroic actions but i dont consider him a hero.
I do not think we will have an epic story like these ancient cultures did. We have lots of different stories that are told in many different ways. There are to many different cultures in our society today to find one story that can relate to all of us on the same level.
I think religion is similar to an epic in that it connects large amounts of people with the same stories and beliefs. There were many similarities to the Bible that I saw in Gilgamesh which seems like an obvious connection to religion.
I don't think Gilgamesh is a hero, he only went on his journey because Enkidu said he should, and after Enkidu died he continued because he didn't want to die. Plus he was told more than once to not continue his journey and to turn back. if no one really needs him than he is just being selfish by not turning back when he was told to.
The tunnel might symbolize immortality. The long dark lonely journey through the tunnel represents Gilgamesh's life as he roams the world while everyone else passes on.
Catem- I would have to agree with you. I think that if he had not been in search of his immortality and instead tried to help Enkidu's afterlife that he might have been considered a hero.
In America its entirely diverse, you cannot narrow it down to one story, because we are all from somewhere different. Therefore aren't all the epics of different countries part of the American epic?
Parker- In our modern world I believe other culutres have epics, which often pertain to religion. I think America does not have an epic because we are such a diverse nation filled with many different beliefs and cultures, so it is difficult to have one epic that encompasses our whole country.
I know I asked this in the inner circle, and no one knew what I was talking about, but does anyone understand what happened with the Stone Ones? Weren't they the crew that was supposed to man the boat while crossing the Waters of Death? Did Gilgamesh kill them? Can someone clarify?
I don't think we have an epic, I think we have different sets of stories that we read when we're younger that have a basis of rules and expectations that everyone should follow, like being nice to everyone or sharing. These are all things we're taught when we're young, but we don't necessarily continue to live up to those expectations as we get older and sometimes become more selfish.
I think that it would be hard to have one all combining epic that could bring our country together. There are so many people, and so many people that aren't native to America, and we pride ourselves that our country is a melting pot. And we can already be brought together on the fact that we are Americans why do we need one combining factor to bring us together. And if that I don't believe that there is any one thing that can bring people together, because there are always people that will go against the crowd.
Chelsea-I think that on a small scale he can be considered a hero because he kind of got past his own issues so he was a hero to himself but not really to everyone in his kingdom.
I think we read this story in school to become more aware of the diversity and history of the world's people. Gilgamesh has ideals which have remained important throughout time and that is important for us to see.
epic question-I think that the Sumerians in a way respected Gilgamesh and although we don’t have one particular person who we all respect, I think that most Americans believe in the common idea of rags to riches. When I think of America I think of the people who had nothing and now have everything and I think we find motivation in this. So although there is not one specific story I think the stories about the American dream can be seen as our epic.
Ashlyn-I beleive that Uta-napishti was given immortality because he did make it through the deluge. It doesn't sound like he really desired to live forever because all the people he loved besides his wife were killed and he wept. Then, he challenged Gilgamesh to do certain things to become immoral, which he knew Gilgamesh wouldnt achieve. I think he didn't want Gilgamesh to have to live like him. The number seven can be very symbolic too because in many religions it has to do with the gods. Also in the bible, it says it took 7 days for God to make the universe basically. Since these tablets follow that story slightly, that could have a similar relation.
Ashlyn- I agree. If Gilgamesh would have done more to help his people and Enkidu, then he might have been considered a hero. However, Gilgamesh's search for immortality proved how selfish he really was in reality.
Mortiz- I think we read this novel as a way to expand our knowledge of literature. Literature in America is very different from literature around the world. It is also interesting to see comparisons and differences between literature of different cultures.
I think America isn't just a single culture but many cultures put together. I don't think there is one epic that represents America as a whole. There are to many cultures to try and involve when finding a single story.
I think we read this epic story because our society does not have one and it shows us how different our cultures really are. It also shows us how different views on how much life is really valued.
I think we read this book to show us other views of the world. In America, we still have limited views. And any views from the past, have been handed down through generations a lot like ours. The most surprising thing is that in a lot of ways, they have the same basic views as us.
Moritz-You asked us to read this book, because we are all from somewhere different, and therefore all the epics are part of the American epic in all respects.
Moritz- I think that you had us read this story to introduce us to other different cultures throughout the world. I think that this was also to show us how different Middle East cultures are from American views. This also showed how values in life differ between regions and countries. I think that epics also show us lessons that we should learn from certain mistakes, and how to live a prosperous and successful life.
Lived and loved: not having love and someone to be there to help us give us comfort it such a sad life. Those who only have fake friends are not very happy.
I have a question, do you think people seek to leave a legacy to do a good for the people they are leaving behind or do they do it selfishly to have their name remembered?
Parker- I think it is better to have lived and loved. I would rather live a short life full of lots of love and meaning than to live a long life filled with no purpose. I think the relationships we build are more important than the amount of time spent on this earth.
Parker- I think it is better to live and love than to not have loved at all because if you live without loving, wouldn't you just be going through life alone. When you love, people love you back and you don't have to face anything alone.
Parker, it's definitely better to have lived and loved. I can't think of why people would not have loved when they have the choice. I think love is something that even if a person has a bad upbringing, if they have a friend or a parent or a sibling who loves them, he or she will still be able to live and also love because they grew up with it.
Parker- I think that it is better to have lived and loved because loving people is what makes life worth while. Love can sometimes cause pain like for Gilgamesh but I think that the time he was with his brother was some of the best times of his life.
I think that by reading the epic of Gilgamesh it helps us understand all the different cultures our world is built upon and because America is a mix of cultures it helps us understand our own roots.
Chelsea- I completely agree with you. I believe that heros have to be overall a kind, modest and important role in society. Gilgamesh tries to be that man but fails. Do you think that heros are born with the qualities of being a hero or they fall in there role during life?
@ Parker I think it is better to have lived and loved because at least you would have had emotion in your life and it wouldn't be just a plain boring life.
Parker- I think that it is better to live and love, and thus be hurt rather than experiencing no love at all. I think that you have to take risks, and if you get hurt, you learn from it. I think that from these failures we can help leave a lasting legacy.
Enkidu's death really reminded me of the Aboriginal boy in Walkabout, who wills himself to die. Do you guys think that if someone believes it enough, they will die?
I think that by reading this epic we learn the importance of how Sumerians valued their life and how important is was to them to leave something behind to be remembered for. We also get a sense of how they viewed life and death, which is very different from our views. I think of Sumerians as more pessimistic about life and we tend to be more optimistic. It gave us a new perspective on how people lived and how much of an influence mindset can have on people’s out looks on life.
I think the legacy I would like to leave would just being a good person. I don't think I would want to leave a huge legacy, I would just want the people I know that I did good and was an honorable and trustworthy person.
I want my legacy to be being a good person. It'd be really cool if I could cure cancer or world hunger, but I think by just being nice to everyone I could help make a bigger impact on the people around me because I'd hope they would want to be like me in the sense of being kind and caring to everyone.
Ashlyn- I think that heroes are born with heroic qualities, but that everyone fails in life. I think some people can attain this heroic level if they try hard enough, though.
Is Gilgamesh more upset about his friend's death or his realization of his own mortality?
ReplyDeleteI think he's more upset about his own mortality realization because he started the journey for Enkidu and to honor him and then he ends up changing the path of his travels to support himself. He talked to the gods about immortality and didn't bring up Enkidu, who was the beginnning purpose of his journey.
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh is more scared of his death because since he is close to a god since he has been treated like one since he was a child and that he has never really thought about death.
ReplyDeleteI think that though Gilgamesh does mourn for Enkidu because they were best friends, his selfish quest reveals that he was wholly concerned with his own mortality.
ReplyDeleteI think that he is more upset about realizing his own mortality, because none of this book was ever really about Enkidu's death or thier relationship, and all I really saw out of Gilgamesh was his selfishness
ReplyDeleteI think that Gilgamesh is more upset over the realization of his own mortality, because Enkidu's death caused his realization. The compounding effect is why I think that the realization is more upsetting for Gilgamesh.
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh is a lot more concered about his own mortality. I'm sure up until Enkidu died, Gilgamesh thought that he would live forever and so would the people he cared about. I don't think Gilgamesh ever had any reason to fear death until this point because he had never experienced it before. Suddenly he realizes that if this strong man whom he has befriended can die so suddenly simply because the Gods willed it then Gilgamesh has a lot to fear.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gilgamesh is more afraid of his realization of his own mortality. Once Enkidu died Gilgamesh was left alone, for Enkidu was his only friend and now that he was gone he didnt have anyone. However Gilgamesh immediately began trying to find immortality so he would never have to experience death.
ReplyDeleteI think he was very upset about his friend's death but then it made him realize that it can happen to him so now he is trying to find immortality so he wont die or the people he loves wont die.
ReplyDeleteI think he's more afraid of his own mortality, I don't think he really ever relized what he was getting into and the risk he was really taking untill Enkidu died.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Giglamesh had never really experienced the death of someone close to him. He was so focused on the joys of life he had never thought about death until it impacted his life directly. This might be why he was so upset once Enkidu died because it made him feel alone and helpless.
ReplyDeleteI think that Gilgamesh is much more upset about his own mortality because he always seemed selfish throughout the entire story. It even says in the last tablet that he realizes that everything that he has done has been for his own selfish reasons. If he had cared so much about Enkidu then he would have done more to save him or bring him back rather than worry about his own mortality.
ReplyDelete@Maddie/Moritz
ReplyDeleteI think of Gilgamesh as a rather selfish person, but I see these events as connecting. Without losing his friend, Gilgamesh would never have even cared about immortality. The loss of him, made him realize that he had nothing in his current life, so he began to search for immortality for a better future.
I think it was both, I think that up until his death he lived this perfect life and nothing was bad so his death was a little crazy for him. However, I also think he was worried about himself and it freaked him out realizing that he can and will die.
ReplyDeleteI think that he he was upset about his death because he realized that Enkidu was a better person. He mentions that he might not be raised as a person in the after-life. That would be a really scary thing if you think that your after-life is going to be pathetic.
ReplyDeleteHowever it was not until Enkidu died that he felt a worry about his own.
I think Gilgamesh is more upset about his own mortality. Throughout the book we discover more and more that Gilgamesh is so accustom to being the center of attention, and I believe he truly doesn’t know any better than to only think of himself. In the story it also shows that Gilgamesh acts very cowardly at times, like when they have to kill Humbaba, and I think he becomes so overwhelmed with the fear of death that again, he becomes more overwhelmed of his own mortality rather than Enkidu's death.
ReplyDeleteMolly's Q--Are people in modern day as afraid of death?
ReplyDeleteI think that Gilgamesh is more afraid of his own mortality. The death of Enkidu acted as a wake up call for Gilgamesh in the sense that all people do die and the same rules would apply to him.
ReplyDeleteErin- i agree with you, if Gilgamesh cared so much about Enkidu than why didn't he try and bring him back?
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh is more afraid about his own death and Enkidu made him realize how afraid he was. Gilgamesh told everyone that he was filled with sorrow from his friends death and now he is afraid of his own fate
ReplyDeleteI also think Gilgamesh is shocked because he has had everything handed to him, or done for him but when it comes to death, no one can die for him.
ReplyDeleteI think that people aren't as afraid of dying, I think they are more afraid of the unknown factor of what happens after death. Even people with strong faiths have lingering questions.
ReplyDeleteI think death will always be a fear for people because it is fear of the unknown. Some people's religion gives them hope of life after death which is one way to deal with the fear of death. I think that is an important thing to have in one's life as it takes away the hopelessness of dying.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people are afraid to die in this world because most believe in something after death and others know it's going to happen in life so they live life to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteWhy does our society want to keep people alive with machienes instead of letting them die naturaly?
ReplyDeleteI think people fear death because it's the end of the road here, basically. The fact that death can happen so suddenly, without people getting a chance to say goodbye, is scary and no one wants to face that. When people are dying and they know they are, I think it allows them to have peace with their death. If it's unexpected, then people may fear it because they know that if it could happen to that one person, it could happen to you as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that some people in this world are more afraid of death than others when others have accepted that, it kinda seems like only those who are close to death are they only ones who know how to accept it.
ReplyDeleteThere are some people who are afraid of dying because they don't know what's going to happen after death. When people are blind they fear what they can't see.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't really seem to me like people are quite as afraid of death in the modern world. It doesn't seem like death is talked about quite as much unless of course we are in times of war. But the way I see it, people at least in modern America aren't as afraid of death and that's probably because of religion to a large extent. I agree with what Carly is saying in the center about how it affects us a lot more when younger people are dying though.
ReplyDeleteI think yes because that is the reason people are so intune to safety and people are so watchful over their children and other things. However I think people today understand that death is a reality and they just fear the thought and what goes with death.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the fear of death isn't just based off of your religion or if you believe in the after life, but rather what you have accomplished what you do in your life, and that you have done all the things in your life. Personally for me, I just want to make sure that when I die it is at the right time. And that I have accomplished everything that I was supposed to accomplish in my life. But I would rather live a quality life, then have my life extended on by machines and not have any quality to life.
ReplyDeleteI think plenty of people are afraid of death. We've outlawed the death penalty in (I think) 14 states. If people weren't so afraid of it, I doubt that we'd have 14 states without the death penalty. When people feel that it's "cruel and unusual punishment", there has to be an emotional reason behind that decision.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, due to different religions, people aren't necessarily so afraid of death. The hope of a good afterlife means that people don't fear it as much.
I think that today most people believe in a happier afterlife than most Sumerians did back then. Therefore I feel like today there is more of a comfort in death and we accept it as a part of life so it is not as scary as it used to be when we are talking about death in older people. I still think that today we still are scared and not ok with the death of children.
ReplyDeleteNo i do not believe that people in the modern world are as afraid of death. Now we understand that death is a natural concept and it will happen to everyone at one point. Death will be mourned, but it is unavoidable. With all of our new technology life can be prolonged, but its going to happen no matter what. I feel like people are afraid of death in the healthy because its a surprise, but when your old or sick it is normal.
ReplyDeleteI think that it depends. If you are really religious and you feel that you have lived your life according to your beliefs then no I do not think that people are as afraid of death.
ReplyDeleteDeath is the unknown though and people are often afraid of not knowing what is going to happen.
When people are older I think they are tired of life and ready for death. Right now when I think of death I think of everything that I COULD do with my life that I have not done. Dying today would scare me. So I agree that age has an affect on people.
Allie - I think it's that natural fear of losing a loved one that prompts people to use any resource in hope that it can save them. It's easy for us all to say we wouldn't want to keep someone 'alive' with machines but maybe if we were in the position with a friend or family member we might be desperate to try and save them in any way.
ReplyDeleteI think people fear the pain and sorrow of death more then death itself. I am afraid of dying in pain but im not afraid of dying peacefully. I think people also fear the pain that everyone else feels from their death. But
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the person. I think some people are afraid of death because they don't know what will happen, but others are completely accepting of death. Death is a natural way of life. It happens to everyone.
ReplyDeleteAs far as what is old and what is young, when you read the old books of religion they have people who live up to 800, so is 90 really old? or is it just the custom age of old now?
ReplyDeleteI think some people cant let go of the ones they love, and don't realize that they are not helping them by keeping them alive. They are almost being selfish for using a machine to keep them "alive"
ReplyDeleteI think that some people are very afraid of death nowadays. With all the advancement in technologies and medical treatment, people think that there should be cures for everything.
ReplyDeleteCate's Q- Why did G kill the stone ones?
ReplyDeleteKatie's Q-If G is so afraid of death, why is he willing to risk his life to attain immortality?
ReplyDeleteOn page 84, line 234, is Gilgamesh's comment about "the doom of mortals" overtaking Enkidu important, and what do you think he was implying?
ReplyDeleteI believe that his drive for immortality was so strong that he did not even realize that he was risking his life every moment.
ReplyDeleteLuc's Q.- How does G. change throughout the story?
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh risks his life to gain immortality because he makes rash decisions all the time without thinking them through. He has survived everything else he has faced, so he just believes nothing will happen to him. Plus, he was used to someone like Enkidu telling him when he was making a dumb choice.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh's goal is to reach immortality, so if he knows he is going to die anyway, maybe he thinks he should do whatever it takes to reach his goal.
ReplyDeleteI think that he believed that if he risked his life and did the impossible for immortality he would become immortal.
ReplyDeleteI think that G realizes that death is going to happen no matter what if he doesnt try to become immortal, and he was so caught up in his life that he wanted it so bad, that he didnt look at the consequences and the possibility of death on his trip.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh knows he is going to die anyway so by risking his life to gain immortatlity is essentially not risking anything. He only has something to gain which is immortality.
ReplyDeletefaith-
ReplyDeleteIt's probably the "old age" of today. If you read later on, in the Bible for example, the Lord says somewhere after the Noah incident that people aren't going to live that long anymore. After that, our max age was diminished to somewhere around today's max age.
Also, if you look at the medieval era, if you lived until you were 40, you had a long life. We've more or less doubled that with scientific advancements. I think it depends on when you live that influences how you think about how long you live.
Kaite Q: I think that Gilgamesh likes the challenge of seeking something new. I think that he is somewhat egotistical, and therefore whats people to be impressed with him that he is trying to attain immortality.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is just how he thinks because his whole life he has been given anything and everything that he wants and the only thing he has ever lost was his brother. I think that he thinks that he is untouchable because he has never really lost a battle, but he needs to make sure he will never die by being able to live forever.
ReplyDeleteI think G relizes that he can either die and not try or he can die and he can try. It's like he understood there was no point in living if he didn't try.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if Gilgamesh actually accepts death in the end. He still dives down to the plant, what is the purpose of that?
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh changes in that he is more aware of the reality of death because of Enkidu. I don't know that we can really see a change in Gilgamesh's personality because he seems selfish and egotistical through most of the story.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh is definitely a live in the moment kind of guy. Things that happen can suddenly send him on some epic trip and he never stops to think about why exactly he's making this decision or what the consequences will be. I think Gilgamesh is suddenly so afraid of his mortality that he will do anything to prevent himself from being the next corpse. I don't honestly ever think it really occured to Gilgamesh that he might die trying to save himself.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh wants to become immortal and risks his life traveling the hardest paths and challenging his life already. He does not want to experience death and he was going to achieve death or die trying. I think he has a lot of support but he is full of sorrow so i dont know why people support him that much. All his life people were heelping him and giving him everything he wanted so this was a big blow when he couldnt acheive immortality.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh started out as a huge jerk, and that's the reason why Enkidu was sent to him. He then makes a new friend who becomes like his brother, but once he died, he returned to his selfish ways. I think he might be more humble and less of a jerk but that his selfishness will always be a characteristic of his.
ReplyDeleteKate asked--Do you think at the end G. accepted his own mortality?
ReplyDeleteChelsea- I do think that line is important because it shows a bit of Gilgamesh's ego. He believes that he is above mortality and that he shouldn't die. He is scared that Enkidu died because Enkidu and himself were so much alike. It made Gilgamesh realize that he only is human.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the book Gilgamesh relies completely on other people to serve him, however throughout the book he realizes that he is a mortal and must fight for himself and he cant rely on others anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think he was so focused on having immortality that he looked past what he had to sacrifice to achieve it. I don't think he realized what it would take to attain immortality. I feel like he was too distracted with what happened to his best friend to worry about his own death when trying to achieve this immortality status.
ReplyDeleteI think he did it because he could fail and die while trying to do it but he was going to die anyway if he did not try. So why not take the risk?
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh risks his life to achieve immortality because fear takes over his judgement. His fear of actually dieing is just stronger than his reason to stay safe and alive. When you have a fear of something you normally do not overcome it but rather run from it.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, I think Gligamesh realized what it meant to have a friendship with someone. He has grown up being in charge of everthing and getting what he wants. Through his friendship with Enkidu I think he learns what it truly means to care for someone. This ultimately leads to his difficulty dealing with Enkidu's death because he has never cared for someone so much before.
ReplyDeleteEmily's Q-Why would G want to gain immortality when everyone around him, that he loves will die?
ReplyDeleteI don't think G wants to relize that he's wrong, he may just be in denile or he could be so self centered that he doesn't believe that he will die, he belives that he is immortal.
ReplyDeleteI dont think G accepted his fate as being mortal. He just had to go with it because there really wasnt any other option for him.
ReplyDeleteGilgamesh is a very selfish person, he does not really have friends, but more fans. It would not really change his world if they were gone.
ReplyDeleteI really feel like Gilgamesh is really a coward and selfish and that is why he doesn't want to die. He may have changed a little bit throughout the book, but still was pretty selfish in the end. I don't beleive he ever truly accepted his fate
ReplyDeleteCarlee- I think Gilgamesh makes one final attempt to gain immortality by diving for the special plant. When the plant is taken away from him, I think this is when he ultimately realizes that death is something he cannot escape.
ReplyDeleteCarlee- I think that Gilgamesh likes challenges, and likes people telling him how great he is. I think that this would have proved just how committed Gilgamesh was to seeking immortality.
ReplyDeleteDoes Shiduri, the inn keeper, hold any symbolism?
ReplyDeleteI do not think that he accepts his mortality because at the end after the snake takes the plant, Gilgamesh starts to weep that he cannot be young again.
ReplyDeleteI think Gilgamesh is just very narcisstic in a way, because he doesn't care about anyone but himself. It wouldn't matter to him if people that he loves died, because to him, people are replacable.
ReplyDeleteI think that Gilgamesh really only cared about Enkidu and that's why he still wants immortality for himself. There really isn't anyone else in the story that Gilgamesh has a bond with, in a way it seems to me like Gilgamesh saw himself as above everyone except Enkidu.
ReplyDeleteI think he accepted his own death at the end. I feel like he came to realize that death is unavoidable and is going to happen even to him. I think he learned that he couldn't stop death and needed to accept that Enkidu passed and so will he.
ReplyDeletei have a quick question- On Gilgameshs journy he met the scorpion man he said that no man has ever made it this far, so he wished him well on his way; did Ur-shanabi want eternal life or was he just granted it?
ReplyDeleteHaley's Q.-- What do the walls symbolize?
ReplyDeleteI think that the inn keeper signifies Gilgamesh's desires to get ahead in life. I think that this was supposed to reveal how committed Gilgamesh was to his cause. This encounter showed that Gilgamesh was committed to gaining immortality because he was willing to go to such great measures to gain it.
ReplyDeleteMegan's question~ I think that the inn keeper symbolized wisdom and the reason that Gilgamesh lacked.
ReplyDeleteWalls usually symbolize closing and protection.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the book i believe that gilgamesh did accept death. He tried and he failed so now he had to get over it and prepare for his own death. He went home and built walls and his monument.He accepted it because he had no other choice.
ReplyDeleteI think if Gilgamesh were to put down the walls and let people into his life it would make him think twice about being immortal, but he is so focused on living forever that he puts up more walls so no one can get close to him
ReplyDeleteAfter Enkidus death, Gilgamesh was really affected by it and i think that the walls symbolize that he is done trying and if people actually care for him, they will try to break down those walls.
ReplyDeleteWalls are a way of protecting himself so then he won't get attacked or hurt by anyone who dies and that is close to him
ReplyDeleteAshlyn- I feel like it wasn't his first choice, it sounds like the Gods put that on him but not out of a reward.
ReplyDelete@ashlyn
ReplyDeleteI believe Ur-shanabi was just granted immortality because he wasnt looking to live forever, he was just looking for a way to survive the flood, and the gods then realized they couldnt kill off all the humans, so they made him immortal.
Walls usually have a symbolism of protection for the things inside. Walls being put up would mean that what ever was left inside needed to be protected and not harmed anymore. Enkidu's death would have have harmed him if the friendship was actually real.
ReplyDeleteHaley's ?~I think that Gilgamesh put up more walls because the one person that he cared for Enkidu, died, and he is afraid that if he lets more people in his life he will just be more hurt and sad.
ReplyDeleteI think that the walls symbolize his insecurity about his mortality and the walls make him feel protected.
ReplyDeleteThe walls probably symbolize how Gilgamesh isolates himself from others, as well as isolates others from himself. In a way, he likes to hear that he is great, but it also seems like he enjoys being alone too. After Enkidu's death, though, I think Gilgamesh needs to be constantly surrounded by people.
ReplyDeleteI think that the walls symbolize Gligamesh's insecurities. The walls are a way for him to falsely protect himself, just like he does in almost everything else. Gilgamesh is constantly ignoring what people have to say and also afraid of criticism and death. By building the walls he may be trying to keep all his irrational fears out. So the walls gave him a false sense of security.
ReplyDeleteHaley- I think that walls symbolize a foundation. Gilgamesh wants to leave a foundation for the rest of the world. Something strong and set in stone that won't fade away.
ReplyDeleteHow does it show that he has friends if they tear down what he built up? Wouldn't that make them disrespectful to him?
ReplyDeleteI think the walls were just there so Gilgamesh could make his legacy live on.
Ashlyn~ Ur-shanbi was granted immortality because he survived the unjust flood and the gods granted him immortality because they felt remorseful.
ReplyDeleteStephanie's Q-What was the significance of the tunnels?
ReplyDeleteAshlyn- I think that Ur-shanabi wanted to survive the flood, as well as prove to the gods that they weren't the supreme power in the land-that he had knowledge too.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know if there is any symbolic reference in the building of the walls. It didn't really seem like that huge of a thing to me. I think Gilgamesh may have just wanted to build them. Do we always need a deep reason to do things?
ReplyDeleteSteph
ReplyDeleteI believe that this just shows how much heart and how willing G is to become immortal and how much he will do for it.
Carlee&Adam- Did Uta-napishti(sorry i asked about the wrong guy, but you got what i meant) want to live though or did the gods tell him to build the boat for the flood? and was because on day 7 the earth returned to normal, the number 7 is so important in the book?
ReplyDeleteCan Gilgamesh be considered a hero or not, and if so, what did he do to reach the "hero" status?
ReplyDeleteStephanie's Q~I'm pretty sure the tunnel was where the sun passed through when it changed from day to night. By crossing it, Gilgamesh proved how much he wanted to obtain his immortality.
ReplyDeleteI think the tunnels represent courage and faith. In order to get through the tunnels Gilgamesh would have had to have the courage to trust himself that no matter what was in the tunnel he could get through it and he would have had to have faith that there was an end to the darkness and he would not be stuck in there forever.
ReplyDeleteParker's Q-In our modern day world, will we have a common epic story like Gilgamesh?
ReplyDeleteStephanie- I think that the tunnels symbolize that Gilgamesh is willing to attain immortality, and that he will do anything to receive this.
ReplyDeleteI think the tunnels represented another road-block for Gilgamesh to travel to show how much he truly wants to attain immortality. If he continued trough the unknown it gave him a greater chance to achieve what he wanted. It was another test of how much courage and faith he has.
ReplyDeleteI think it is harder for people to understand and relate to the epics because people have cahnged their thoughts and views over time.
ReplyDeleteIn modern day I don't believe there will be anything like Gigamesh, but perhaps there may be something similar to its story.
ReplyDeletechelseas~I'm not sure whether Gilgamesh could be considered a hero. Though he and Enkidu killed the monster, and he protected his people, I feel his selfish mindset might have offset his potential hero status. In his personal quest for immortality he failed.
ReplyDeleteParker- I think that we don't have one common epic, but I think we have common motifs of what to live for. In America, we have this idea of the American Dream, which helps us lead the ideal American life. I think that with so many people and views on Earth, it is impossible to find one common epic.
ReplyDeleteChelsea-
ReplyDeleteTo me Gilgamesh is not much of a hero because he didn't do anything to create a change. The whole story focused on his friendship with Ennkidu and then his quest to find immortality. I believe Enkidu was actually more of a hero than Gligamesh because he taught Gilgamesh what it meant to have a friendship. Enkidu also encouraged Gilgamesh to take on new challenges and go outside of his comfort box.
Isn't our epic kind of the rags to riches? IT's like the goal is the american dream, and the problems are the trials and troubles that we have everyday. However I don't think there is one chosen person like G to do anything. Were all reaching for the goal and we just have our own epics.
ReplyDeleteSo why did I (Moritz) ask you to read this epic story?
ReplyDeleteChelsea- I do not this Gilgamesh is a hero, he was done several different things to be considered a 'hero' but it is not a life long hero. For example when he kills the bull the town may consider him for a day but it isnt so heroic to consider him a hero. I think he wants to never be forgotten but he cant claim that title himself his actions have to. He did heroic actions but i dont consider him a hero.
ReplyDeleteI do not think we will have an epic story like these ancient cultures did. We have lots of different stories that are told in many different ways. There are to many different cultures in our society today to find one story that can relate to all of us on the same level.
ReplyDeleteI think religion is similar to an epic in that it connects large amounts of people with the same stories and beliefs. There were many similarities to the Bible that I saw in Gilgamesh which seems like an obvious connection to religion.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Gilgamesh is a hero, he only went on his journey because Enkidu said he should, and after Enkidu died he continued because he didn't want to die. Plus he was told more than once to not continue his journey and to turn back. if no one really needs him than he is just being selfish by not turning back when he was told to.
ReplyDeleteThe tunnel might symbolize immortality. The long dark lonely journey through the tunnel represents Gilgamesh's life as he roams the world while everyone else passes on.
ReplyDeleteCatem- I would have to agree with you. I think that if he had not been in search of his immortality and instead tried to help Enkidu's afterlife that he might have been considered a hero.
ReplyDeleteIn America its entirely diverse, you cannot narrow it down to one story, because we are all from somewhere different. Therefore aren't all the epics of different countries part of the American epic?
ReplyDeleteParker- In our modern world I believe other culutres have epics, which often pertain to religion. I think America does not have an epic because we are such a diverse nation filled with many different beliefs and cultures, so it is difficult to have one epic that encompasses our whole country.
ReplyDeleteI know I asked this in the inner circle, and no one knew what I was talking about, but does anyone understand what happened with the Stone Ones? Weren't they the crew that was supposed to man the boat while crossing the Waters of Death? Did Gilgamesh kill them? Can someone clarify?
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have an epic, I think we have different sets of stories that we read when we're younger that have a basis of rules and expectations that everyone should follow, like being nice to everyone or sharing. These are all things we're taught when we're young, but we don't necessarily continue to live up to those expectations as we get older and sometimes become more selfish.
ReplyDeleteI think we read this because we needed to read about the other parts of the world and their views on life and the after life
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be hard to have one all combining epic that could bring our country together. There are so many people, and so many people that aren't native to America, and we pride ourselves that our country is a melting pot. And we can already be brought together on the fact that we are Americans why do we need one combining factor to bring us together. And if that I don't believe that there is any one thing that can bring people together, because there are always people that will go against the crowd.
ReplyDeleteChelsea-I think that on a small scale he can be considered a hero because he kind of got past his own issues so he was a hero to himself but not really to everyone in his kingdom.
ReplyDeleteI think we read this story in school to become more aware of the diversity and history of the world's people. Gilgamesh has ideals which have remained important throughout time and that is important for us to see.
ReplyDeleteepic question-I think that the Sumerians in a way respected Gilgamesh and although we don’t have one particular person who we all respect, I think that most Americans believe in the common idea of rags to riches. When I think of America I think of the people who had nothing and now have everything and I think we find motivation in this. So although there is not one specific story I think the stories about the American dream can be seen as our epic.
ReplyDeleteAshlyn-I beleive that Uta-napishti was given immortality because he did make it through the deluge. It doesn't sound like he really desired to live forever because all the people he loved besides his wife were killed and he wept. Then, he challenged Gilgamesh to do certain things to become immoral, which he knew Gilgamesh wouldnt achieve. I think he didn't want Gilgamesh to have to live like him. The number seven can be very symbolic too because in many religions it has to do with the gods. Also in the bible, it says it took 7 days for God to make the universe basically. Since these tablets follow that story slightly, that could have a similar relation.
ReplyDeleteAshlyn- I agree. If Gilgamesh would have done more to help his people and Enkidu, then he might have been considered a hero. However, Gilgamesh's search for immortality proved how selfish he really was in reality.
ReplyDeleteMortiz-
ReplyDeleteI think we read this novel as a way to expand our knowledge of literature. Literature in America is very different from literature around the world. It is also interesting to see comparisons and differences between literature of different cultures.
I think America isn't just a single culture but many cultures put together. I don't think there is one epic that represents America as a whole. There are to many cultures to try and involve when finding a single story.
ReplyDeleteI just thought of a question a second ago:
ReplyDeleteIs it better to have lived and loved, or not have loved at all?
I think we read this epic story because our society does not have one and it shows us how different our cultures really are. It also shows us how different views on how much life is really valued.
ReplyDeleteI think we read this book to show us other views of the world. In America, we still have limited views. And any views from the past, have been handed down through generations a lot like ours. The most surprising thing is that in a lot of ways, they have the same basic views as us.
ReplyDeleteMoritz-You asked us to read this book, because we are all from somewhere different, and therefore all the epics are part of the American epic in all respects.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason we have read this novel was to understand other cultures and their literature.
ReplyDelete@parker
ReplyDeletei think that it is better to live and love because if you want to have a positive influence to others and a positive legacy, you have to love.
Moritz- I think that you had us read this story to introduce us to other different cultures throughout the world. I think that this was also to show us how different Middle East cultures are from American views. This also showed how values in life differ between regions and countries. I think that epics also show us lessons that we should learn from certain mistakes, and how to live a prosperous and successful life.
ReplyDeleteLived and loved: not having love and someone to be there to help us give us comfort it such a sad life. Those who only have fake friends are not very happy.
ReplyDeleteI think most people's legacy is in their children. Children are a part of people which we can leave behind since we won't be here forever.
ReplyDeleteI have a question, do you think people seek to leave a legacy to do a good for the people they are leaving behind or do they do it selfishly to have their name remembered?
ReplyDeleteParker-
ReplyDeleteI think it is better to have lived and loved. I would rather live a short life full of lots of love and meaning than to live a long life filled with no purpose. I think the relationships we build are more important than the amount of time spent on this earth.
Parker- I think it is better to live and love than to not have loved at all because if you live without loving, wouldn't you just be going through life alone. When you love, people love you back and you don't have to face anything alone.
ReplyDeleteParker, it's definitely better to have lived and loved. I can't think of why people would not have loved when they have the choice. I think love is something that even if a person has a bad upbringing, if they have a friend or a parent or a sibling who loves them, he or she will still be able to live and also love because they grew up with it.
ReplyDeleteParker- I think that it is better to have lived and loved because loving people is what makes life worth while. Love can sometimes cause pain like for Gilgamesh but I think that the time he was with his brother was some of the best times of his life.
ReplyDeleteI want to be a pediatrician so I would be a able to leave behind healthy little kids to live their full and long lives.
ReplyDeleteI think that by reading the epic of Gilgamesh it helps us understand all the different cultures our world is built upon and because America is a mix of cultures it helps us understand our own roots.
ReplyDeleteChelsea- I completely agree with you. I believe that heros have to be overall a kind, modest and important role in society. Gilgamesh tries to be that man but fails. Do you think that heros are born with the qualities of being a hero or they fall in there role during life?
ReplyDelete@ Parker
ReplyDeleteI think it is better to have lived and loved because at least you would have had emotion in your life and it wouldn't be just a plain boring life.
Parker-
ReplyDeletei think it is better to live and love because then when you are gone people will remember you in positive ways.
Parker- I think that it is better to live and love, and thus be hurt rather than experiencing no love at all. I think that you have to take risks, and if you get hurt, you learn from it. I think that from these failures we can help leave a lasting legacy.
ReplyDeleteEnkidu's death really reminded me of the Aboriginal boy in Walkabout, who wills himself to die. Do you guys think that if someone believes it enough, they will die?
ReplyDeleteLauren
ReplyDeletei think generally the people that leave a large legacy they mean good, but there are people who selfishly do something to have them remembered.
I think that by reading this epic we learn the importance of how Sumerians valued their life and how important is was to them to leave something behind to be remembered for. We also get a sense of how they viewed life and death, which is very different from our views. I think of Sumerians as more pessimistic about life and we tend to be more optimistic. It gave us a new perspective on how people lived and how much of an influence mindset can have on people’s out looks on life.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the "lived and loved" sentiments. I was curious to see how other people felt.
ReplyDeleteI think the legacy I would like to leave would just being a good person. I don't think I would want to leave a huge legacy, I would just want the people I know that I did good and was an honorable and trustworthy person.
ReplyDeleteI want my legacy to be being a good person. It'd be really cool if I could cure cancer or world hunger, but I think by just being nice to everyone I could help make a bigger impact on the people around me because I'd hope they would want to be like me in the sense of being kind and caring to everyone.
ReplyDeleteAshlyn- I think that heroes are born with heroic qualities, but that everyone fails in life. I think some people can attain this heroic level if they try hard enough, though.
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