Gilgamesh

=Gilgamesh=

Gilgamesh, Enkidu and Bull of Heaven

The epic of Gilgamesh was written around the 7th century B.C. This time period was known as the Early Dynastic period (2900-2400 B.C.) or Old Sumerian period. The Old Sumerian period was an era in which power and religion began to depart and a stronger rivalry between city-states. Large buildings were not referred to as temples but as palaces, which pulls away from religion and done for the first time. Also, there is a common language and religion throughout the land.
 * What is the time period and how does it affect the literary style?**

The author’s purpose is to display Gilgamesh as a great king and partially a god. The author writes that he is two-thirds god and one-third a man. This shows that Gilgamesh is looked highly upon for being part god. He built a magnificent city called, Uruk, which was considered a beautiful city and highly admired. Gilgamesh went on a death-defying quest to discover life before the Flood. At the beginning of his journey, he was heartbroken and suffered for a very long time.
 * What is the author's purpose in writing the selected piece?**

The literary technique in this poem is denotative and descriptive. It is straight to the point, describing what Gilgamesh has accomplished and the type of person he is. The author exhibits descriptive language when talking about setting. In example, “Study the brickwork, study the fortification; climb the great ancient staircase to the terrace; study how it is made; from the terrace see the planted and fallow fields, the ponds and orchards.”(Page 65 line 11-14)
 * What literary techniques does the author employ in achieving his or her purpose?**

Citations for Gilgamesh [|back]