Special thanks to Kristen Grandfield, Yale - New Haven Teacher Institute
Tablets IX & X
Tablet Nine (p.66 - 71)
Gilgamesh is distraught that Enkidu is dead. He will not bathe, eat, or sleep. Enkidu's death makes Gilgamesh realize his own mortality and that frightens him. This is the impetus for him taking his next great journey.
Gilgamesh decides he needs to obtain eternal life and undertakes the most difficult journey of all to Utnapishtim and his wife. Utnapishtim is the only mortal who is granted eternal life and lives in the "Far Away". Utnapishtim survives the Great Flood which mirrors that of Noah's flood in the Bible.
When Gilgamesh arrives at Mount Mashu en route to Utnapishtim, the guards at Mount Mashu warn him against the journey as it is dangerous and will prove futile. Gilgamesh ignores this and travels twelve leagues into Night, eventually emerging into Day and into a brilliant garden of gems (Foster The Epic of Gilgamesh, p. 70).
FFW (5 min, 10 sentences):
- Would you want eternal life or eternal youth? Why?
Tablet Ten (p.72 - 83)
Gilgamesh continues on toward Utnapishtim and again is warned that the journey is going to prove futile; however, his reaction is that of arrogance and violence. In order to get to Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh must cross the Waters of Death - if anyone touches the water, he will instantly die. After a difficult journey across the water, Gilgamesh arrives on the shore where an old man tells him seeking eternal life is pointless. Death is necessary because it is the will of the gods and whatever humans do will never be a permanent solution.
FFW (5 min, 10 sentences):
- Do you agree that seeking eternal life is pointless for Gilgamesh? Why or why not?
Reflection: main takeaways from today's lesson?
Student Demographics Survey (required of all students to receive Bard College credits)
Comments