Monthly Archives: September 2010

A recent article about a proposed ban on smoking in outdoor public location has some similarity to themes in “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” Mayor Bloomberg proposes the idea of passing a bill that makes smoking on beaches, parks and boardwalks illegal. This proposal can be a seen as a continuation of his “journey” to end second hand smoking. Gilgamesh went on a long journey to kill Humbaba.  Both of their “journeys” are tough to complete. Gilgamesh has to kill a fierce some beast. The extent of the danger is shown by the line “In order to keep the Cidar safe, Enlil assigned him as a terror to human beings.”(A, 68) Bloomberg has to gain the support of both smokers and non-smokers while still showing that he isn’t encroaching on their civil rights. Bloomberg is also facing the challenge of disgruntle smokers after the recent tax on cigarettes.

As leaders, both Bloomberg’s and Gilgamesh’s journey has benefits for their society. The killing of Humbaba would allow the citizen’s of Gilgamesh’s kingdom to access the cider trees that Humbaba was guarding. The ban on smoking in outdoor public places further protect children from second hand smoking as  well as allow people to get a fresh air at places that were once filled with smokers. 

“Mayor’s Next Target for a Smoking Ban: Parks and Beaches” (Sept 16, 2010 A26)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/nyregion/16smoking.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mayor’s%20new%20target%20for%20a%20smoking%20ban&st=cse

The Epic of Gilgamesh correlates to an article in the New York Times called “U.S Debates Karzai’s Place in Fighting Corruption.” This article states that the US wants to keep Karzai in power, but the risk of this may add on. Karzai’s previous acts are the debate on whether or not he should take a major part in rooting out corruption. US want to restrain Karzai from too much given power, but at the same time, want to battle the Taliban with him. In the Epic, Gilgamesh is the most powerful and he oppresses all the citizens. The Gods want Gilgamesh to remain in power, but there is a major issue if they continue letting him do so. Therefore, Enkidu is sent to prevent Gilgamesh from his wrong-doings and together they take on a journey to fight Humbaba and even kill the Bull of Heaven. This is very much alike the article in the New York Times, even though there is a suspicion of corruption, US and Karzai are still working together to fight Taliban. “The discussion on corruption, in essence, is really a discussion about our relationship with Karzai,” said one senior Obama administration official. With this being said, Karzai is basically Gilgamesh who is oppressing the citizens of Uruk. Both Karzai and Gilgamesh comes close with others to defeat one main enemy.

The Epic of Gilgamesh and a recent article “U.S. Debates Karzai’s Place in Fighting Corruption”, taken from the New York Times, have many parallels with each other.

First of all, the main character of the Epic, Gilgamesh, is a king of Uruk whom the Gods made very strong and powerful, whom they “granted … the totality of knowledge of all” (Damrosch, p. 59). Even though it is provided by the Gods, Gilgamesh misuses his power and oppresses his own people: “[he] does not leave a son to his father, … [he] does not leave a girl to her betrothed” (Damrosch, p. 60). So, exploited and anxious, people seek help from the Gods. Similarly in the article, the Afghan government, originally empowered by “the billions of dollars in [the US] government money that flows into Afghanistan each year”, “abuses ordinary Afghans”, and due to its wrongdoings “fuels anger among Afghans and drives many into the ranks of the insurgency” (Mazzetti, Nordland, 2010).

Despite of all misdeeds however, the Gods don’t want to simply eliminate Gilgamesh all together. On the contrary, they still prefer him to remain in power. Therefore, to restrain Gilgamesh the Gods send Enkidu who is “equal to Gilgamesh’s stormy heart”; thus, they can “be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace” (Damrosch, p.61). In the same way, the US need “to maintain ties with the Afghan government” (Mazzetti, Nordland, 2010); hence, Karzai is assisted to become a president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, so he can follow the advises of “the Gods” (meaning the US) and “root the corruption in its own government”.

Even though both “Gilgamesh-Enkidu” and “Afghan Government-Karzai” relations are destined to be those of foes, the parts still manage to become friends at the end, joining their enormous powers to fight other enemies, such as Humbaba and the Taliban.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/world/asia/15corruption.html?scp=1&sq=us%20debates%20afghan&st=cse

In the Epic, Gilgamesh is a king who is two-thirds God and one-third human, making him a very powerful being. Although he may not be liked by all the people of Uruk, he is unquestionably respected by them. As a result of this respect Gilgamesh has a certain responsibility to the people. He must accomplish victory in his quest to destroy the evil monster Humbaba who occupies a forbidden forest and is said to be undefeated. The fact that no one is known to leave this forest alive makes it more difficult for Gilgamesh to achieve what he sets out to do. When he finally slays the mighty monster, who is said to be “undefeated”, the victory is a great one. Overpowering someone weak doesn’t have the same feeling of success as defeating someone extremely strong. Gilgamesh takes great pride in destroying Humbaba and accomplishing his duty to the people of Uruk.

In a New York Times article titled Nadal savors his career grand slam is a story about a man who also overcomes obstacles in the quest of sheer victory. As the winner of the United States Open, Rafael Nadal is certainly basking in the glory of being king of the tennis court. Just like Gilgamesh who was a powerful king, Nadal had a few problems standing in the way of his quest to win such an important championship.  “Everybody has obstacles, but Rafa’s had his knees and his personal problems and physical problems of last year. I think all that only makes this sweeter for him.” (NYT)Through all his troubles Rafael Nadal won the US Open and just like the people of Uruk were proud of Gilgamesh, Nadal’s fans were surely pleased.

Nadal is champion of the tennis world; he is the youngest player to win all three majors in the same year. On the other hand Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk who wants to build an empire that will last forever. Nadal also wants to win the US open championship because it was the only title that he had not won also by wining he would be in an elite club which not a lot people can reach.

To accomplish their goal both Nadal and Gilgamesh have a remarkable victory. Nadal’s victory came this past Monday over Novak Djokovic in the US open final. During the two weeks of competition Nadal’s effort was noticeable because he won his previous matches very easily. It was not until the last match that he lost a set, but he was able to rebound and finally won his long dreamed US open singles title. Similarly, in the Epic, Gilgamesh travels long distances to fight an enemy named Humbaba. As a result, Gilgamesh is able to cut down the cedar trees and bring them to his kingdom.

They also have to overcome their weaknesses.  Gilgamesh’s weakness is his fear of Hunbaba. While in the forest Gilgamesh has dreams that a monster is attacking him, but his friend keeps telling him that his dreams are positive and that they will come up victorious.  Nadal had his own problems; for example his knee injury which kept him for limited competitions throughout last year. Also, he had some personal problems where he could not completely concentrate on the competition.

At the end both of them have a sense of pride about what they have accomplished. In the New York Times article Nadal states, “But I feel clearly much more at home in New York than in 2001.”  (The New York Times Wednesday, September 15, 2010, B16) Gilgamesh has a sense of pride when he says to the boatman

“Go, Urshanabi, onto the wall of Uruk and walk around.

Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly—

Is not even the core of the brick structure of Kiln-fired brick,

And did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plan?

One league city, one league palm gardens,

One league lowlands, the open area of the Ishtar Temple,

Three leagues and the open area of Uruk the wall encloses.” (A, 97)

These lines above show us how proud Gilgamesh is of his kingdom, and he  offers his realm to the boatman by saying this is my city, my place.

New York Times: