1. Gilgamesh Notes for discussion of the text

2. Gilgamesh (notes) The text: Setting: 28th c - 27th c bc 1.1-4: consider the formal structure (parallelism); note Gilgamesh's name [probably] mentioned first (also 1.28) 1.7-8: primacy of "tale" and juncture of "myth" and "history" 1.10: notice the emphasis on writing 1.11, 18-21: a foundation myth 1.30: we'll hear a lot of bovine metaphors throughout these 11 tablets 1.41: major theme comes out in "proem:" the search for life, centered on Uta-napishti (the life-guru-Deluge-survivor of tablet 11) 1.56-62: role of description 1.63ff.: how the plot begins: the ius prima nocte (droit de seigneur)

3. Gilgamesh (notes) 1.93ff.: get a handle on the pantheon: Anu, Aruru, Enki, Enlil, Ishtar, Shamash, etc. 1.97-100: a match for the storm of his heart: a description of the friend Enkidu to be created 1.140: why a harlot? 1.142-145: consider what civilization means; what civilization changes 1.185: the work of a woman 1.193-194: things that today we see advertised on television 1.199ff.: consider the words: defiled, understanding, weakened, reason, etc. 1.214: instinct 1.245ff.: the dream, the adoption. Consider the diction: like a wife, etc. 1.296: friendship quest

4. Gilgamesh (notes) 2.40: twins 2.45ff.: more civilizing P159ff.: the definition of droit; also consider "destined" Y18: they kissed each other Y90-97: a difficult transition in the lacuna, no? 2.234ff.: consider the proverb

5. Gilgamesh (notes) 3.35: why sadness?... a restless spirit (3.46) 3.88: consider this catalogue (and others) 3.104: prolepsis 3.125: the adoption is complete

6. Gilgamesh (notes) 4.10ff.: consider the "ritual to provoke a dream" in this and other cultures Ha1,4-17: the bovine images again, linked with fame and glory: "a feat that never has been in the land"

7. Gilgamesh (notes) 5.73-77: a cord of three strands 5.140: the catalogue again. consider the role of intertext / intratext 5.262-265: epic language 5.294-295: consider the image

8. Gilgamesh (notes) 6.99-100: Ishtar's threat 7.105-160: consider the curse and the blessing: what does this say re: profession, gender, etc.; note also how civilization grants burial 7.188ff.: nekyia 7.265: consider mortality vs. immortality, and the role of name

9. Gilgamesh (notes) 8.31: do you know what ghee is? 8.44-45: the role of mourning; the gender of mourning 8.130-133: the appropriate sacrifice; also, consider burial practice: why do we do what we do? 9.3: I shall die: a chilling revelation

10. Gilgamesh (notes) 10.137: eeewwww? 10.266ff.: foolish vs. wise and the responsibility of the king 10.296-297: what price death and what price life? value of Gilgamesh's adventures?

11. Gilgamesh (notes) 11.46: manna 11.55ff.: the ark 11.283: the plant 11.303-306: an aetiological myth 11.322-329: an echo of the beginning, this time in Gilgamesh's mouth