Monthly Archives: September 2010

The Epic of Gilgamesh narrows the story of a beautiful and strong King who is two-thirds god and one -third human, king like no other king.  Throughout the whole epic, Gilgamesh is described as a brave, bold and wise man with a brave and youthful heart, who has no adversaries that would even dare to rise against him, “There is no rival who can raise a weapon against him.” (A, 60)     

Additionally, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, we see how Gilgamesh fights to protect his people and to create a name for himself that would pass generation after generation “He walks out in front, the leader, (…) mighty net, protector of his people.” (A, 60) After Gilgamesh fights and experiences all the passages he has, trying to conquest his own quest, he realizes that he has not achieved anything for himself that everything he has done has been in vain. At the end of his journey he wonders what he has done and who he has been doing it all for;

 “Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi!

For whom have my arms labored, Urshanabi?

For whom has my heart’s blood roiled?

I have not secured any good deed for myself,

but done a good deed for the ‘lion of the ground’! (A, 97)

I found a very interesting small article that can be very much related to Gilgamesh. The article is about another leader of our current era, that just like Gilgamesh is strong, brave and it seems that no opponent would rise against him. I’m talking about the former president of Cuba, Fidel Castro. The New York Times had an article on September 09, 2010 called “Fidel Castro’s Doubts about Cuban Communism and Iranian Anti-Semitism”  This article is based on an interview with Fidel Castro. During this interview Fidel Castro is asked if he still believed on his communism system, “I asked him if he believed the Cuban model was still something worth exporting. “The Cuban model doesn’t even work for us anymore,” he said.” (New York Times)

The answer of Castro is that the communism model does not even work for Cuban society anymore. At the end of his journey Castro realizes that everything he has done it is not as worthy and useful for his country and his people as he thought it was. Just like Gilgamesh realizes at the end of his journey.

Robert Mackey.  “Fidel Castro’s Doubts about Cuban Communism and Iranian Anti-Semitism.” New York Times. Web September 09, 2010. <http://thelede.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/fidel-castros-doubts-about-cuban-communism-and-iranian-anti-semitism/?ref=middleeast>

In The New York Times article titled “Buildings Are Set Ablaze During Protests in Kashmir” is a story about wanting your way and instilling fear by means of violence to accomplish getting what it is you’re hoping for. Kashmir is a region in the Himalayas shared by India and Pakistan but ruled by India. Against this rule are thousands of Muslims who turned to hostility in hope of a shift of power. “Thousands of demonstrators staged a violent protest in Kashmir on Saturday, setting fire to a police office and other government buildings in the latest angry outburst after three months of almost daily protests against Indian rule in the Himalayan region”.( NYT10) Fear of violence and death is thought to be a sure way of getting a point across and expecting a desired action to be completed.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh there is a similar story about using brutality to achieve a goal. When Gilgamesh returns from his successful journey into the forest he is approached by the goddess Ishtar who has a strong desire to be with him. “Come to me Gilgamesh, and be my bridegroom; grant me seed of your body, let me be your bride and you shall be my husband.” (Gilgamesh*) Gilgamesh refuses her advances. “I would pour out barley to stuff your granary; but as for making you my wife-that I will no.”(Gilgamesh*) She became so angry with Gilgamesh that she set out to punish him for good.  “When Ishtar heard this she fell into a bitter rage, she went up to high heaven.”(Gilgamesh*)  When she got there she requested that the gods give her the Bull of Heaven to ultimately destroy Gilgamesh, she knew this wish would not be easy to acquire so she threatened the gods with cruelty. “My father, give me the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh. Fill Gilgamesh, I say, with arrogance to his destruction; but if you refuse to give me the Bull of Heaven I will break in the doors of hell and smash the bolts; there will be confusion of people, those above with those from lower depths. I shall bring up the dead to eat food like the living; and the hosts of dead will outnumber the living”.(Gilgamesh*)  The connection I made between the two stories is the use of wrath and hostility, whether it is spoken or actually acted out, to achieve a desired result regardless of it actually working.

*I will put the page numbers as soon as I get a chance to look at the book. I have not yet received my order and had to get a copy of the story from somewhere else and it most likely has different page numbers. Sorry for the inconvenience.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/asia/12kashmir.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=protesters%20set%20fire&st=cse

T. S. Eliot once said: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”  And indeed, throughout the history of mankind we can find many brave individuals who travel the world in search of undiscovered and unexplored places.

The theme of traveling and exploration is reflected almost in every part of the Epic of Gilgamesh. In this work, Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu go on various journeys: Enkidu’s journey to Uruk from the wilderness, Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s journey to Cedar Forest to kill the great Humbaba, and finally Gilgamesh’s journey to find the immortal Utanapishtim in the Faraway. In his travels, Gilgamesh “[roams] long roads through the wilderness” (Damrosch, p. 85), “crosses through mountains, for twelve leagues it is darkness throughout” (Damrosch, p. 85), sails the Waters of Death using a boat which he builds from 120 trees.

Even with the lapse of time, we still realize that this notion of traveling and exploration remains intrinsic and essential to our modern values. William J. Broad in his article “China Explores a Frontier 2 Miles Deep” describes how “Chinese scientists plunged to the bottom of the South China Sea in a tiny submarine … exploring remote and inaccessible parts of the ocean floor.” This achievement allows going deeper than any other technology in the world despite the darkness and pressure.

These two examples illustrate the constant humans’ desire for exploring places. However, Gilgamesh and the Chinese scientists don’t travel just for the sake of traveling; their journeys have particular purposes, they are meant for someone’s benefit. Gilgamesh, who is oppressed and fears death, overcomes the obstacles on his way to Utanapishtim in order to find the secret of immortality. On the other hand, the Chinese scientists travel to the bottom of the ocean floor mainly because it is “rich in oil, minerals and other resources.” So, it’s obvious that in both cases a favorable outcome of the journey will place the explorer above the rest of world.

William J. Broad “China Explores a Frontier 2 Miles Deep”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/science/12deepsea.html?src=twr

In reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, we are introduced to a great hero named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh proved his power throughout the whole story by killing the bull of heaven, killing Humbaba the terrible and journeying to Utanapishtim. Once he is faced with the tragedy of his best friend Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh starts to fear death as well. He then decides to journey and seek immortality from Utanapishtim: “I began to fear death, and so roam the winderness….. The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me….. Am I not like him? Will I lie down never to get up again?” (Gilgamesh, 89) Gilgamesh is so consumed with being immortal, however after he meets with Utanapishtim he realizes that death is inevitable.

In the New York Times article “Still on Duty at Ground Zero, the Indomitable Nurse Reggi”, Mary Regina Shane known as Nurse Reggi, had survived both World Trade Center attacks in 1993 and 2001. Even at the site of tragedy Nurse Reggi still wanted to do her job at Ground Zero. “Ms. Shane returns to the site every morning as part of a medical team to mend the cuts, bruises and burns of construction workers rebuilding it.” Like Gilgamesh she realized that overcoming a tragedy shouldn’t stop your life but should make you that much more grateful of what you have. At the end of the day they both became better people because of it.

New York Times “Still on Duty at Ground Zero, the Indomitable Nurse Reggi”

By Michael Wilson, Published September 10,2010

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the concept of limits is prevalent. Gilgamesh is portrayed as a being superior to man. No one could challenge Gilgamesh and be considered his equal. He was “supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance” (Gilgamesh, 60), however, only “two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human (Gilgamesh, 60). His one-third human side placed a limit on him. In the end, even with his countless victories because of his strength and the help he received from several individuals and gods such as, Enkidu, Shamash, Urshanabi, and Utanapishtim, Gilgamesh realized his own limitations. When he realized, he attempted to overcome this limit of time by searching for immortality but failed to do so. This failure only confirmed Gilgamesh is bound to limits of time.

In a New York Times article, “Chicago’s ‘Mayor for Life’ Decides Not to Run”,  Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago is shown to be similar to Gilgamesh. Mayor Daley was “perhaps the very definition of a strong mayor with almost absolute command” and was believed to be a “Mayor for Life”, however, similarly he is bound to limits of time.  Mayor Daley ran  and was elected as mayor for six terms but when he decided on whether or not to run for a seventh term, he realized his limit of time. Mayor Delay said “Simply put, it’s time, time for me. And time for Chicago to move on. I’ve done my best. Now, I’m ready to begin the next phase of our lives.” Lastly, Mayor Daley has a choice to move on, but Gilgamesh did not.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/us/politics/08daley.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Mayor%20for%20life&st=cse

Saulny, Susan. “Chicago’s ‘Mayor for Life’ Decides Not to Run.” New York Times 8 Sep. 2010, New York ed.: A16. Print.

In The Epic , Gilgamesh is “two-thirds god and one-third human.” Therefore he has strength and power above the people of Uruk. Enkidu is created and taken to meet Gilgamesh, so that there will be someone who can stand up to his powers and greatness. However, when Gilgamesh meets Enkidu and becomes friends with him he decides to go out on a quest to kill Humbaba with Enkidu, because he knows that with their strengths combinded they will be able to defeat him and create a name for themselves. After this is done they go on to kill the Bull of Heaven which is sent on them by Princess Ishtar. These acts of killing anger the God’s who decide to have their revenge against Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

“In my dream Anu, Enlil, and Shamash held a council, and Anu spoke to Enlil: ‘Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slain Humbaba, the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountain must die!’ Enlil said: ‘Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!'” (Gilgamesh, 79)

Therefore even though it was Gilgamesh’s idea to go out on the quest to kill Humbaba and he was the one who brought the Bull of Heaven onto them, it was Enkidu who was going to be killed for it. This is similar to a big topic in the news today. Many United States citizens are holding a grudge against Muslims because of the attack on the World Trade Center. People are threatening to burn books pertaining to the religion as well as protest the building of an Islamic religious center near the 9/11 memorial. This is unfair because the terroist group who preformed the attack on the United States is a very small fraction of people who study that religion. The United States is a diverse country with a wide variety of religions and to categorize the Muslim community here because of that small group is unfair. The Muslim citizens in the United States are as innocent as every other citizen and to hold them and their religion responsible is completely unethical.

“We’ve got millions of Muslim Americans, our fellow citizens, in this country,” Mr. Obama said. “They’re going to school with our kids. They’re our neighbors. They’re our friends. They’re our co-workers. And when we start acting as if their religion is somehow offensive, what are we saying to them?”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/us/politics/11obama.html?ref=us

(Obama Tries to Calm Religious Tensions”

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about the great king of Uruk named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh “has seen everything” and “experienced all things;” however, he overuses his power to abuse people living in his kingdom (A 59). Consequently, the gods send Enkidu on the earth as form of an animal. After his transformation from an animal to a man, he seeks to stop the unethical practices that take place on earth. He fights with Gilgamesh, but soon after arguments are over, they become best friends forever as they start their journey traveling to Cedar Forest to find Humbaba. As “they stood at the forest’s edge gazing at the top of the Cedar tree and gazing at the entrance to the forest,” they plan how to kill him because he terrorized many people (A 73). Later on, they also kill the Bull of Heaven which indirectly caused death upon Enkidu. As a result of his death, Gilgamesh goes into depression. His best friend’s death inspired him to find a way to become immortal. He starts to travel to see the god Utnapishtim, who is the only one who became immortal. Gilgamesh “reached Mount Mashu” along the Road of the Sun he journey, and traveled “the Water of Death” (A 84-88). Gilgamesh is a man who travels to many places around the world, since he is the one who “has seen everything” (A 59).

The article from New York Times, “6 Days, 6 States, 6 Peaks” by Mark Aiken is about a man inspired by Alaskan claimer who reached the world’s Seven Summits in just 134 days. The author also wants to travel and hike. He says “My challenge would be to hike what I call the Six Summits — the highest point in each New England state.”

Both pieces of writing are about men who visit a lot. Gilgamesh has to travel to many locations in order to kill Humbaba in the Cedar Forest and to meet Utnapishtim in the place of Water of Death. Similarly, Mark Aiken decides to hike six mountains. He travels to  six states in order to pick “the highest elevations”.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/travel/05explorer.html?ref=travel

In the Epic of Gilgamesh storm and flood are presented. The New York Times article “Pakistan Flood Sets Back Infrastructure by Years,” by Carlotta Gall is also about flood. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story about King of Uruk who harshly dominates upon his people. Enkidu is sent by gods to stop the terror in the kingdom. After he exchanges arguments with Gilgamesh, they become friends.  Later on in the story, they kill the giant Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. “…I must travel on a road I don’t know! Until the time I go and return, until I reach the Cedar Forest , until I kill Humbaba the terrible…” (A 69). Along the way, Gilgamesh loses his companion with Enkidu. Then, Gilgamesh becomes very upset. The death of his friend leads him to ask a question how to become immortal. He meets with Utnapishtim who obeys the god and was saved by them from the damageable flood. “All day long the South Wind blew …, blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water, overwhelming the people like an attack” (A 93). The flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh is long and cause many destructions. “Six days and seven nights came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land. When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding; the flood was a war–struggling with itself like a woman writhing (in labor)” (A 93).
Similarly, in The New York Times article, people in Pakistan try hard to block the water with stones in order to save their town. Many people had been affected by the flood. The situation is similar to what happen in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The flood in Pakistan makes many people to worry about how they will lead their daily lives including collecting food and water. Thus they are feeling that they are being attacked. In addition, the current flood in Pakistan is very destructive to the infrastructure of the country. This flood has ruined many things in the country including roads, bridges, schools, health clinics, electricity and communications. In fact, the damages that the flood has done affected 20 millions people. 

<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/world/asia/27flood.html?pagewanted=1&sq=flood&st=cse&scp=3>