Preparing for Class: September 12

The Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablets 9-11

1. Before the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh tried to comfort his friend by assuring him that he would be remembered. Does Gilgamesh believe his own words?
2. Tablet 9 is basically a fantastic journey. Why have the location and the people gotten so exotic? What does this mean to you?
3. Scorpion men belong to the realm of mythological creatures. They were composite creatures, that is part human, part animal, and they occasionally helped human-kind. Such creatures and demons can also be frightful and dangerous to humans. They are not portrayed consistently as being either beneficial or dangerous in Mesopotamian literature and art. A representation of a scorpion man (image to the right) appears on the soundbox of a harp from the royal cemetery at Ur (Early Dynastic period).
4. Tablet 10 relates Gilgamesh's encounter with the tavern keeper and tells how he finally reaches Utanapishtim. What narrative devices does the author use to emphasize the passage of time and the distance covered?
5. What is the barmaid's advice to Gilgamesh? Do you agree with her?
6. How many narratives can you think of where the hero has to trust a mysterious ferryman to take him to his (usually supernatural) destination?
7. Many of you are studying to be engineers. What would Utanapishtim's "ark" look like?
8. What do you think about Utnapishtim as a heroic figure? How does he earn his immortality?
9. After Utanapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of the flood, he tests Gilgamesh. How does he do this and what is the result?
10. After you've read tablet 9-11 of Gilgamesh, read Genesis chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, and chapter 9. Both tell of a great flood that wipes out mankind, but the underlying meanings of the two stories are very different. Be prepared to discuss the different outlooks that these stories represent: why is mankind wiped out? how do (does) the gods (god) react to the destruction?
11. Gilgamesh gets one chance at immortality. What is it and who is responsible for giving it to him?
12. Who foils Gilgamesh's attempt? Does this remind you of anything?
13. The poem ends the same way it begins. What do you think the conclusion means? What does the author think is the answer to Gilgamesh's problem? What is man's lot in life and what hope does he have for immortality?

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