Category Archives: Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is “two-thirds god and one-third human” (A, 60).  This is the reason why he is so powerful.  Since he is made this way, it is the same reason why he is not afraid of anyone or anything.  As stated in the epic, “There is no rival who can raise his weapon against him. His fellows stand at alert, attentive to his orders” (A, 60).  No one can stop him.  He is victorious.  Enkidu and Gilgamesh went to the Cedar Forest to go kill Humbaba, who everyone fears.   Humbaba is a monster that has natural power and his mouth is fire.   Gilgamesh wanted to take down Humbaba, which he did with Enkidu.  Gilgamesh overcame this obstacle of killing Humbaba.  And in everyone eyes Gilgamesh is very powerful and victorious for killing the monster that everyone fears.   By doing this, he is respected by many.

            In sports, everyone is competitive, and thy all strive to be the best at what they do.   It is obvious that you must have talent when you play in the professional league but there is always a few that’s exceptionally great at the sport.  For example, in basketball you have Michael Jordan; in baseball you have A. Rod; and in tennis for men, you have Rafael Nadal.  “At 24, he has become the seventh man to win all four Grand Slam singles titles… Now the U.S. open” (Clarey).  This is an amazing record.  He works very hard to become one of the best.  That means long practices and no social life. He has to overcome obstacles to be one of the best.  “At the start of Nadal’s career, his game and proclivities gave him a natural advantage only on clay, but he has been talented enough, open-minded enough and driven enough to modify his tactics…”( “Nadal Savors His Latest Role: All-Courts Player”).  A person must know their strengths and weakness in order to overcome obstacles that will help them succeed and be the best they can.

 Clarey, Christopher. “Nadal Savors His Latest Role: All-Courts Player.” The New York Times. 14 September 2010.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/sports/tennis/15tennis.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=nadal%20savors%20latest%20role:%20a%20player%20for%20all%20courts&st=cse

Well known V. Putin who was an acting Russian president for 2 terms since 2000 till 2008 became a prime minister. His successor D. Medevedev is notoriously known to be his cover and protégé. As rumors said that V. Putin might be one of the richest and powerful man in Russia and he hasn’t got a will to eliminate his power in a country.

On 28 January 2008, Gorbachev in his interview to Interfax “sharply criticized the state of Russia’s electoral system and called for extensive reforms to a system that has secured power for President Vladimir V. Putin and the Kremlin’s inner circle”. Following Gorbachev’s interview The Washington Post‘s editorial said: “No wonder that Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last leader, felt moved to speak out. “Something wrong is going on with our elections”, he told the Interfax agency. But it’s not only elections: In fact, the system that Mr. Gorbachev took apart is being meticulously reconstructed.”

In July 2007, Bret Stephens of The Wall Street Journal wrote: “Russia has become, in the precise sense of the word, a fascist state. It does not matter here, as the Kremlin’s apologists are so fond of pointing out, that Mr. Putin is wildly popular in Russia: Popularity is what competent despots get when they destroy independent media, stoke nationalistic fervor with military buildups and the cunning exploitation of the Church, and ride a wave of petrodollars to pay off the civil service and balance their budgets. Nor does it matter that Mr. Putin hasn’t re-nationalized the “means of production” outright; corporatism was at the heart of Hitler’s economic policy, too.”

In NYT article “Medvedev Speech Sparks Rumor of Putin’s Return” is said that they might revise russian political system and increase presidency term to 6 years and after a break as a prime minister V. Putin might come to political arena again in 2012.

In Epic of Gilgamesh Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods as Gilgamesh’s equal to distract him from oppressing the citizens of Uruk. Together they undertake dangerous quests that incur the displeasure of the Gods.

Epic of Gilgamesh and Russian situation right know has something in common. Same as V. Putin nominated to an office D. Medvedev to distract people same  the Gods created Enkidu to distract Gilgamesh from oppressing people. V. Putin is like the God in Russia who does whatever he wants even if it agains the Constitution and interests of Russia. D. Medvedev is like loyal Enkidu.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/world/europe/07putin.html?scp=2&sq=medvedev+putin&st=nyt

The New York Times article “Gates to Meet with Russian Defense Minister” is about the meeting between Russia’s defense minister and the defense secretary for the United States in the effort of bringing better solutions to the army of both countries. As ironic as might seem the United States and Russia at a point in history are enemies that fight each other at war, and just after this incident is when the two countries begin diplomatic talks;       “It has been almost six years since a Russian defense minister set foot inside the Pentagon, and when Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates devotes Wednesday to hosting his Kremlin counterpart, Anatoly E. Serdyukov, they are expected to find common ground on a topic that would have been unimaginable during the cold war.” (The New York Times)

 In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the two main characters experience similar situation to the one experience by Russia and the United States. After Gilgamesh and Enkidu engage in a fight, this two become devoted and inseparable friends;           “Enkidu blocked the entry to the marital chamber, and would not allow Gilgamesh to be brought in. They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber, in the street they attacked each other, and […] they kissed each other and become friends.” (A, pp. 66-67)

The symbolical fight I elect to highlight in both readings draws the similarity between The New York Times article and the Epic of Gilgamesh, where this fight does not separate the United States and Russia as well as Gilgamesh and Enkidu, instead just bring them together as never before.

Thom Shanker and Michael Schwirtz. “Gates to Meet With Russian Defense Minister” The New York Times. Web September 14, 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/world/europe/15military.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=thom%20shanker%20and%20michael%20schwirtz&st=cse>

The day before the inauguration of President Obama, another man was put into office, but not the Presidential Office, the office at Mercury Radio Arts on 6th Ave is where the Glenn Beck aired his first show on Fox News. In less then 6 months Glenn Beck had 2.6 million views making it the #1 watched news show. With this new power Beck has become the face of the Fox News, the Tea Party, Mercury Radio and voice of so many people. Similar to Beck stand alone characteristics, there is Gilgemesh the great King of Urik a man of great pride and excellence. Two men of such large stature that able to be heard and known for there large power.

Within Fox News, Glenn Beck gets a large amount of criticism for the messages he spreads on the network, recently his lost 200 thousand viewers within a couple of months, people at the network have largely disagreed with his ideals. Numerous companies have made note to Fox News not to air their advertisements during his time slot because of his discredited broadcast. The New York Times says

“While Beck’s personal ventures and exposure have soared this year, his television ratings have declined sharply — perhaps another factor in the network’s impatience. His show now averages two million viewers, down from a high of 2.8 million in 2009, according to the Nielsen Ratings. And as of Sept. 21, 296 advertisers have asked that their commercials not be shown on Beck’s show (up from 26 in August 2009). Fox also has a difficult time selling ads on “The O’Reilly Factor” and “Fox and Friends” when Beck appears on those shows as a guest. Beck’s show is known in the TV sales world as “empty calories,” meaning he draws great ratings but is toxic for ad sales. If nothing else, I sensed that people around Fox News have grown weary after months of “It’s all about Glenn.

Beck is losing support from all sides for his self interest, similar to the lose of support that Gilgemesh gets when his men complain of him to the gods. Through the journey of Glenn Beck’s career there is a recent point where it seem that his actions have caught up with him, and seems unsure has become of him, his show and its consequences. Gilgemesh faces a crossroad just like Beck where Gilgemesh travels to because this is the first he encounters the idea that he isn’t the immortal King of Urik but a human and is responsible for his own actions, in The Epic of Gilgemesh you can see this where it says “Enkidu, my friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hard ship with me, the father of mankind has overtaken him… I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness”.

Unlike Gilgemesh, Beck did not chose to change and continues his program in the same way.

The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law is up for review this week in the Congress and this year Congress is being challenged to reform the law. The difference between this reform and others has been the great support it has had from a very special celebrity, Lady Gaga. Ms. Gaga known for her hit songs, such as Alejadro and Disco Stick, also her crazy outfits worn in music videos and red carpet affairs, has focused lots of time and fame towards this reformation of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. The famous pop star at a recent music videos awards show was accompanied by former military personnel who were discharged from there divisions because of being openly gay, the move was made to establish that Gaga was going to challenge and petition against the law. Ms. Gaga was in Maine, September 10th The New York Times reports “the pop music sensation whose was [there] to make an impassioned speech to the crowd of college students, parents with small children, teenagers and service members calling for the repeal of the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”. Maine, a state where both senators were undecided and crucial in order to pass reform on the law.

In the Epic of Gilgemesh, there is the great King Gilgemesh largely in power but his people complain to the gods about him in great amount saying “Gilgemsh does not leave a son to his father… does not leave a girl to her bethrothed!” In response the gods create Enkidu. Enkidu is as strong as Gilgemsh but are vastly different. This is the first similarity between Enkidu and Lady Gaga, is there rival to take on their opposition even when their opponents are much more established and come from different back rounds.

Much like Enkidu, Lady Gaga is a figure that is created and largely celebrated. Both are supported by the people, Lady Gaga with her fans also those who appose don’t ask don’t tell and Enkidu with all the people who see Gilgemesh as a threat.

People are denouncing the ability of government to react on this law and Lady Gaga comes into the mix  in oder to draw attention to this law, this is very similar to when the people of Urik complain to the gods about their King Gilgmesh. Gilgemesh is not treating his people right and the gods create Endiku as a response to his malice. Another similarity between the two is their positions as a new entities and how the are instantly accepted by the people, Lady Gaga, a celebrity that has a numerous amount of fans gains support for her cause effortlessly just as Enkidu is portrayed in the Epic by the people upon his arrival to the city. The change both entities are trying to bring are similar even though they go by it in completely different ways both Gaga and Enkidu are change, in Gaga” case trying to change, is the  established rule that seem to be without any restrains.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh and the New York Times article “More Countries Adopt China’s Tactics on Currency”, there is a common theme of help your friend even if it is counterproductive to your own interests.   In the New York Times Article, China is said to devalue their currency in order to help their trade partner the United States while affecting their own ability to import more. It is similar to the Epic Gilgamesh, where Enkidu went against being counter for Gilgamesh and instead help him instead which ultimately will lead to his death.

In the New York Times Article, the following is said “The Chinese press is filled with articles arguing that Americans do not appreciate China’s efforts on their behalf. While other nations’ currencies devalued against the dollar in the 2008 financial crisis, some economists note, the renminbi did not. And while Chinese exports may be artificially cheap, the effect has been to give American shoppers bargains at the expense of Chinese consumers.”

As noted on Tablet 7, “’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!’” (p.79, l.4-6).

Sources:

Damrosch, David and Pike, David L.  2009. Longman Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World, Vol. A 2nd Edition. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” p.56-97

Sanger, David E. and Wines, Michael 2010 “More Countries Adopt China’s Tactics on Currency”  nytimes.com, October 3 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/04currency.html?ref=europe

     When I was reading the article “James Bacon, Journalist and Celebrity Friend, Dies at 96” in The New York Times, I immediately found some connections that I could relate with the Epic of Gilgamesh. James Bacon an Associated Press reporter is very well known as the friend of many famous people including presidents and celebrities such as singers and actors. “Mr. Bacon had a knack for befriending A-list celebrities. He palled around with John Wayne, shared whiskey with Frank Sinatra, was a confidant of Marilyn Monroe and met eight United States presidents.” Similarly, Enkidu has a friend, Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk. Gilgamesh is well known because he goes for many adventurous journeys. “He who has seen everything…experienced all things” (A 59).
     Both of these characters not only have famous friends but are also loyal and trustworthy. For example, James Bacon is able to make friendships with people who can’t make relationships easily. “They just trusted him, Mr. Rosenfield said. If you look at the people he was friendly with — Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor — these were people who didn’t always have friendly relationships with the press.” Similarly, Enkidu is a good friend of Gilgamesh. They both fight together against enemies and experience many adventures. As Gilgamesh says Enkidu is “a friend and advisor” (A 65). Gilgamesh can trust Enkidu and share everything with him. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/arts/20bacon.html

I found connections between the Epic of Gilgamesh and The New York Times article “The Best Two Women Could Do” written by Ariel Kaminer. The article is about a lesbian couple who faces many difficulties. However, they are highly motivated to solve problems together.

Both pieces of writings project very intimate relationships between two people. The Epic of Gilgamesh describes the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. They are introduced to each other in a fight; thus, it creates an extremely high connection between them. Gilgamesh’s mother says something interesting about Enkidu (while she is translating a dream) when she asserts that “the axe that you saw is a man, whom you love and embrace as a wife, but whom I have made compete with you” (A 65).  Also, Gilgamesh calls Enkidu a “friend and advisor” with a great respects (A 65). Similarly, “The Best Two Women Could Do” is about two ladies, Ms. Bacolas and Ms. Glazer, who are “introduced by a mutual friend outside a bar.” Then, they fall in love and spend every weekend together. In fact, they went to parties, they went dancing, and “in the mornings, Ms. Bacolas cooked them amazing breakfasts: scrambled eggs with truffle oil, feta and tomatoes on millet toast. After too many years in heavy, doomed relationships, they could not get over how easy it all was” which represents their strong relationship.

In both cases, they are looking to improve their lives which require them to travel. Gilgamesh and Enkidu travel to Cedar Forest to kill Humbaba and become famous for many generations. They know that death takes away bodies but immortality is to be memorable for others. In addition, it is necessary to “establish fame” (A 73). However, they also use their trips as a source of getting cedar wood which is expensive and desired material used for building walls. Similarly, Ms. Bacolas and Ms. Glazer have to travel outside of New York City to make their marriage dream come true. Also, marriage gave them an opportunity to “ protect themselves and their joint property, as they wanted to give Ms. Bacolas the right to make medical decisions on Ms. Glazer’s behalf,” which gave them comfort of sharing and improvement in their lives.

Last but not least, in both examples health condition of one partner seriously affects the other. For instance, Gilgamesh sees Enkidu slowly losing energy as “Enkidu lies down [the] first day, [the second] second day,…[until] Enkidu’s illness grew ever worse” and when he dies “Enkidu’s eyes do not move, as [Gilgamesh] touched his heart , but it beat no longer” and Gilgamesh doesn’t want to burn Enkidu’s body (A 82-83). Moreover, he becomes very upset and behaves in a wild manner. Therefore, he feels afraid of death and wants to find a way to becomes immortal. Similarly, Ms. Bacolas and Ms. Glazer are affected by unexpected cancer. “Ms. Glazer learned she had breast cancer. A double mastectomy followed, then five more operations, along with radiation and chemotherapy.” They face serious illness which can lead to death and separation of their love. So, they don’t postpone important decisions anymore. They also have great opportunity to see the strength of their feelings and fight against the cancer together.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the people of Uruk are in a very tensed about the deeds of Gilgamesh. He is the king of the city, Uruk, so he has extreme power to do what ever he likes. He takes away the daughters from parents, wives from husbands and sons to put them in the army of the country. The people are very worried and concerned about themselves, so they call the gods and ask them to help them and release them from the suffering. . “ You made him, O Aruru, now create his equal; let it be as like him has his own reflection, his second self, stormy heart for stormy heart. Let them contend together and leave Uruk in quiet.” (1:13) They tell them what their problems are and why they need to be helped away from Gilgamesh.
Similarly in the article, the people of Haiti are writing to help them from the very dire straits that they are living in.“We don’t want to die of hunger and also we want to send our children to school. I give glory to God that I am still alive — but I would like to stay that way!” They recently suffered a very big disaster in the country and now the country is suffering even worst situations. It is very common to the people of Uruk, who are suffering under the rule of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh can be compared to the poverty that Haitian people are suffering. But in Haiti, the people are writing their pleas and dropping of in the collection box, they are writing their suffering and helplessness in the letter. But in the Epic, the people summon the gods for help. Therefore, I think that the these two text resembles.

There are many stories in real life that can compare to the Epic of Gilgamesh. One article is “Nadal Savors His Latest Role: All-Courts Player” from September 15ths New York Times.

In the Epic, Gilgamesh is victorious. Along with his best friend Enkidu, he takes down the mighty Humbaba on his quest to the Cedar Forest, and kills the Bull of the Heavens when it tries to go after him. Rafael Nadal is just as victorious. This past week, he won the United States Open, a very competitive tennis tournament.

There is no one as strong and triumphant in Uruk than Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The Epic states,

“We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven,

we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest,

we slew lions in the mountain passes!” (p87, lines 47-49)

The same is for the world of tennis. Nadal, along with Andre Agassi are “… the only men to have won the four majors, the Davis Cup, and the Olympics.” (B16) There is no one else like these two tennis players.