The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Introduction

The world's first literary work, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is a article that dates back four millennia to the ancient Sumerian culture. The story centers on Gilgamesh, a man with superhuman qualities who struggles with the quest for immortality and knowledge. This story is important for understanding the ancient Sumerians because it portrays their beliefs about cultural values and about belief and the afterlife.(Dalley, 221) Ancient Sumerian heritage valued the ideas of heroism, information and loyalty. They have an anthropomorphic slant on belief, specifically in regards to their gods. Also, their outlook of the afterlife is somewhat dark and morbid.

 

Discussion

One important aspect of The Epic of Gilgamesh is that it communicates the prevailing societal values of ancient Sumeria. One of these values is the act of having right perform toward others, or heroism. In this story, Gilgamesh displays heroic actions by slaying the Bull of Heaven, which was created to destroy him. Gilgamesh praises, "Who is the most glorious of heroes, the most eminent among men." He is also tragically heroic after the death of his ally, Enkidu. After his death he mourns him and wanders all through the desert for the rest of this life.(Dalley, 221) This suggests heuristic qualities such as managing good deeds, having integrity and dwelling by one's ethics was something valued highly in ancient Sumeria.

Another highly significant worth among the Sumerians is knowledge. When the goddess Ishtar endeavored to seduce Gilgamesh, he realized it was a knack and notified her to let him alone: "Which of your lovers did you ever love forever? What shepherd of yours has satisfied you for all time?"Apart from that he is furthermore a very knowledgeable hunter, adept to killing large beasts such as Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. From this information he gains notoriety (and jealousy) among the gods. For the Sumerians having information seems to be both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because it allows one to see what is happening. It is also a curse because, like Gilgamesh, it can lead one into a chasm of misery.(George,58)

Loyalty to associates is another significant attribute in very old Sumerian culture. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are trusted associates who would make awesome forfeitures for one another. While Enkidu makes the ultimate sacrifice (death) for the life of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh also makes sacrifice to Enkidu, weeps for him and mourns his death forever. This is a sad portrayal of loyalty but it shows the depths of which the Sumerians value loyalty and friendship. They are eager to stop everything to hold their factual friends.(Dalley, 221)

Ethics and having a value system became important one time cities evolved in Sumeria and persons had to deal with one another on a more common basis. It shows how the Sumerians anticipated persons to communicate and act toward each other in up to date civilizations of the second millennium BC

The Epic of Gilgamesh sketches out a image of ancient Sumerian views on belief and the afterlife. In the story, gods ...