Imagery and Themes in the Epic of Gilgamesh Essay -- Epic Gilgamesh es

Historical background - Imagery and Themes Rosenberg notes that Gilgamesh is probably the worlds first human hero in writings (27). The Epic of Gilgamesh is based on the life of a probably solid Sumerian king named Gilgamesh, who ruled about 2600 B.C.E. We learned of the Gilgamesh myth when some(prenominal) clay tablets written in cuneiform were disc overed beginning in 1845 during the excavation of Nineveh (26). We get our most complete version of Gilgamesh from the hands of an Akkadian priest, Sin-liqui-unninni. It is outlander how much of the tale is the invention of Sin-liqui-unninni, and how much is the original tale. The flood story, which appears in the Sin-liqui-unninni version, is probably based on an actual flood that occurred in Mesopotamia some 2900 B.C.E. (26). The Sumerian destination influenced the entire Near East (Swisher 13). The success of their culture was dependent on the agricultural viability of the area. Every year there were floods which provided p rofuse silt for successful farming that encouraged the people to stay in the same area year after year instead of migrating to learn new areas for crops (19). There are indications that the Sumerians were composed of two different peoples which mingled in the same area. The Semites are believed to have mixed with the Highlanders. The Semites were patriarchal hunters and more war-ridden than the Highlanders. The Highlanders were matriarchal and peaceful. Swisher suggests that there is evidence of both social groups and that the combination of the two led to changes in the perception of the roles of the gods and goddess as well as the men and women (21). Sumer was originally small groups of people that eventually grew to form cities. As a country it included 13 ... ...der to receive eternal life. The apparent popular opinion in an afterlife which is indicated by the burial with useful objects may video display that eternal life is achieved after physical deat h. The Flood - recounted by Utanapishtim is proxy of the purification of human life by the gods. Their transgressions are swept away(p) (with most of the population) and they are reborn into a fresh, new world and affinity with the gods. Ark - the symbol of the gods love of the humans and their interest in preserving the human race. We besides identified five themes in the Epic of Gilgamesh Conflict between topsy-turvyness and order, represented by nature and civilization Mans quest for immortality and knowledge dealings with loss Male bonding/brotherhood Heroism (mans victory over nature).