1. Utnapishtim's wife first appears in Book 11, Page 195.
2. Utnapishtim's wife has no other name but her position, wife to "The Distant One". After the great flood, she and he became immortal but were not born Gods. She is caring, thoughtful, and obidient, but seems to be a bad cook as she makes bad loaves of bread.
3. Utnapishtim's wife is like the Goddess Ninsun. They both exibit caring qualities. While Ninsun shows her caring by taking in Enkidu as her son and giving him the pendant, Utnapishtim's wife makes her husband think twice about being a hasty judge of Gigamesh. "Wait," she says, "this man came a ery log way, he endured/ many hardships to get here. Won't you/ give him something for his journey home" (Pg 195)? They both use their wisdom to make a situation better.
4. Utnapishtim's wife is a hero. She is a woman which is not our definition of a hero, but she also follows her moral compass and shows compassion for Gilgamesh when he is tired, overworked, and morose. She may not be brave, risking life, but she is noble and smart because she has learned lessons of life and death herself and tells her husband to tell Gilgamesh, while she civilizes her husband. She is selfless to make the bread for Gilgamesh.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ninsun
1.) Ninsun first appears in the text on page 83 in Book 1
2.) Ninsun is a goddess and the mother of Gilgamesh. She knows everything and is always right there with a smart answer to assist Gilgamesh on his journeys. She knows not to upset the Gods and instead she prays to them whenever there is trouble. "'Lord of heaven, you have granted my son beauty, strength and courage-why have you burdened him with a restless heart'" (99).She dresses in beautiful robes and bathes in the finest soaps because she is a God and she is beautiful.
3.) Ninsun could be compared with Ishtar who is also a goddess, though they do not have fitting personalities. Ninsun is gentle, kind, giving and very smart, "The mother of Gilgamesh, Lady Ninsun, the wise, the all-knowing" (83). Ishtar is some what giving as well (she keeps the priestesses in her temple for all men to enjoy), but mostly she's greedy. She wants to have and destroy as many lives as possible. "' Come here Gilgamesh,' Ishtar said, 'marry me, give me your luscious fruits, be my husband, be my sweet man'" (130).
4.) I would argue that Ninsun is definitely a hero. She helps Gilgamesh on his journeys. She prays to the Gods for strength. She helps interpret Gilgamesh's dreams. And though the story doesn't go into much detail about Ninsun's intelligence, I'm sure she uses it for good purposes and for other lost souls, not just Giglamesh. And let's face it, anyone who can be the mother of the most intolerable man in Uruk has to be a hero.
2.) Ninsun is a goddess and the mother of Gilgamesh. She knows everything and is always right there with a smart answer to assist Gilgamesh on his journeys. She knows not to upset the Gods and instead she prays to them whenever there is trouble. "'Lord of heaven, you have granted my son beauty, strength and courage-why have you burdened him with a restless heart'" (99).She dresses in beautiful robes and bathes in the finest soaps because she is a God and she is beautiful.
3.) Ninsun could be compared with Ishtar who is also a goddess, though they do not have fitting personalities. Ninsun is gentle, kind, giving and very smart, "The mother of Gilgamesh, Lady Ninsun, the wise, the all-knowing" (83). Ishtar is some what giving as well (she keeps the priestesses in her temple for all men to enjoy), but mostly she's greedy. She wants to have and destroy as many lives as possible. "' Come here Gilgamesh,' Ishtar said, 'marry me, give me your luscious fruits, be my husband, be my sweet man'" (130).
4.) I would argue that Ninsun is definitely a hero. She helps Gilgamesh on his journeys. She prays to the Gods for strength. She helps interpret Gilgamesh's dreams. And though the story doesn't go into much detail about Ninsun's intelligence, I'm sure she uses it for good purposes and for other lost souls, not just Giglamesh. And let's face it, anyone who can be the mother of the most intolerable man in Uruk has to be a hero.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hero Assignment
Although I wasn't here on the first day of class, I have managed to pick up the developing definition of here: the classic "Superman" version, who does right and stops those who do wrong. In Gilgamesh, the morals of the culture are often contrasted with those of ours, such as the meaning of sex and how women are treated. This, of course, changes how the people would view a hero. A hero must "do right and stop those who do wrong" according to the people who live and are affected by it. My response to that is that Enkidu (page 74) is a hero. He was created to be Giglamesh's double, and balance his cruel tyranny. He develops as a different person because of his intent. Both of them are strong rulers, and good friends, however Enkidu does not do things for self honor, or for any sort of acclamation. Before the two depart to kill Humbaba, Enkidu argues, "Humbaba is the forest's guardian, Enlil put him there to terrify men. (page 93)." He then goes to kill him anyway to prove his friendship, not to escape shame. Gilgmesh, however, leaves to kill Humbaba for glory and to instill fear in others. The difference in the two motives states who of them is a hero. That is why I believe that Enkidu is a real hero.
BA #1 Ishtar
1) Ishtar. She is first mentioned on page 77 in book 1.
2) Ishtar is a goddess, daughter to Anu and Anutu. She plays a significant role in the fate of Gilgamesh and Enkidu at the end of the book.
3) A simple comparison to Ishtar would be that to Shamhat. Shamhat, being a priestess of Ishtar gives her body willing to men in honor of the goddess. At the beginning, Shamhat is seen as a civilizing force for when after Enkidu and her made love he was more cultured and in a sense became a man. Ishtar, however, is more of a destroyer than a civilizer. At one point she offered herself to Gilgamesh, pleading that he be her husband. However, Gilgamesh refuses because every man that she has ever loved has come to a certain misfortune due to her. He responds to her, “If I too became your lover, you would treat me as cruelly as you treated them” (135).
4) Ishtar is not a hero. When she does not get her way she seeks revenge and is selfish. Nothing she does or plans is a benefit to the human race but only to her. All she feels is a need to pleasure herself and not help others. A hero seeks to serve his people fearlessly with their wellbeing in mind and not his own, with that Ishtar is not a hero.
2) Ishtar is a goddess, daughter to Anu and Anutu. She plays a significant role in the fate of Gilgamesh and Enkidu at the end of the book.
3) A simple comparison to Ishtar would be that to Shamhat. Shamhat, being a priestess of Ishtar gives her body willing to men in honor of the goddess. At the beginning, Shamhat is seen as a civilizing force for when after Enkidu and her made love he was more cultured and in a sense became a man. Ishtar, however, is more of a destroyer than a civilizer. At one point she offered herself to Gilgamesh, pleading that he be her husband. However, Gilgamesh refuses because every man that she has ever loved has come to a certain misfortune due to her. He responds to her, “If I too became your lover, you would treat me as cruelly as you treated them” (135).
4) Ishtar is not a hero. When she does not get her way she seeks revenge and is selfish. Nothing she does or plans is a benefit to the human race but only to her. All she feels is a need to pleasure herself and not help others. A hero seeks to serve his people fearlessly with their wellbeing in mind and not his own, with that Ishtar is not a hero.
BA#1 Shamhat
1. Shamhat Page #77
2. Shamhat is a priestess who gives her body to any man in honor of Ishtar, the goddess.
3. Shamhat and Ishtar are two completely different people. Shamhat gives her body to a man, whereas Ishtar expects the man to give to her and not give a man anything in return. An example of this is shown in the passage on page 130-132, where she says "Come here, GIlgamesh," Ishtar said, "marry me, give me your luscious fruits, be my husband, be my sweet man..."
4. I believe that Shamhat is a hero because she civilized Enkidu and brought Gilgamesh a friend that he will never forget and in a way helped civilize Gilgamesh in the end.
2. Shamhat is a priestess who gives her body to any man in honor of Ishtar, the goddess.
3. Shamhat and Ishtar are two completely different people. Shamhat gives her body to a man, whereas Ishtar expects the man to give to her and not give a man anything in return. An example of this is shown in the passage on page 130-132, where she says "Come here, GIlgamesh," Ishtar said, "marry me, give me your luscious fruits, be my husband, be my sweet man..."
4. I believe that Shamhat is a hero because she civilized Enkidu and brought Gilgamesh a friend that he will never forget and in a way helped civilize Gilgamesh in the end.
Hero
On the first day of class we stated that a hero was someone who saved the day, has upstanding moral character, brave, noble, honest, etc...After reading this book it is very clear that Gilgamesh does not stand out to be a hero. For one a hero does not terrify their people, control, and rule in fear.(Book 1 pg 73) Also a hero puts people first instead of being sulfish. They do good deeds without wanting to be honored and glorified. Everything he does he wants people to recognize him for it and praise him. A really hero doesnt look for that and do things out of the goodness of their heart.Another reason why i dont think that Gilgamesh is a hero is because he is afraid of death and also because he questions his faith as a man. As a gero you must understand your purpose and accept it.
BA#1(Gilgamesh)
1.) The first time Gilgamesh is written about in the text in the prologue, page 69, canto 1, lines 1-22.
2.) Gilgamesh is the king of all mighty Uruk. He is the tallest, most handsome, strongest mortal man in the world. He was "Surpassing all kings... violent...two-thirds divine and one third human"(71). He has been a successful king (excluding the endless sexual encounters with any woman he chooses), in keeping his people safe, providing for them, and being a brave solider and leader.
3.) Gilgamesh can be related to Enkidu's character in many ways. Both men were the tallest and strongest men in the world. They completed journey's in days, where it would have taken normal men multiple weeks to achieve. Both men go to fight Humbaba but for different reasons. Gilgamesh seems as if he only wants to defeat Humbaba for the fame and approval of his citizens, where Enkidu does not want to go, since his best friend is going, he will go to accompany and help defeat Humbaba.
4.) Again, I might be the only person in the class who thinks that Gilgamesh is a great leader and a hero. I believe that if I was a young boy and lived in Uruk under Gilgamesh, I would want to be him and he would be my hero. How could someone so accomplished not be admired by anyone else in the class as a hero.
2.) Gilgamesh is the king of all mighty Uruk. He is the tallest, most handsome, strongest mortal man in the world. He was "Surpassing all kings... violent...two-thirds divine and one third human"(71). He has been a successful king (excluding the endless sexual encounters with any woman he chooses), in keeping his people safe, providing for them, and being a brave solider and leader.
3.) Gilgamesh can be related to Enkidu's character in many ways. Both men were the tallest and strongest men in the world. They completed journey's in days, where it would have taken normal men multiple weeks to achieve. Both men go to fight Humbaba but for different reasons. Gilgamesh seems as if he only wants to defeat Humbaba for the fame and approval of his citizens, where Enkidu does not want to go, since his best friend is going, he will go to accompany and help defeat Humbaba.
4.) Again, I might be the only person in the class who thinks that Gilgamesh is a great leader and a hero. I believe that if I was a young boy and lived in Uruk under Gilgamesh, I would want to be him and he would be my hero. How could someone so accomplished not be admired by anyone else in the class as a hero.
BA#1 (Utnapishtim)
1. Utnapishtim first appears on page 175 in book 10 on lines 15-16.
2. Utnapishtim was king of the ancient city of Shuruppak. He was told by the god Ea to build a large ship to survive a flood that was to be sent by the gods. He built the ship, gathered humans and animals to fill the ship and survived the flood. For this the gods granted him eternal life.
3. Utnapishtim can be compared to Enkidu for the way each interacts with Gilgamesh. Both of them try to stop Gilgamesh from doing things that would harm him and both of them tried to convince Gilgamesh that the gods favored him. Utnapishtim said, "You are made from the flesh of both gods and humans, the gods have lavished you with their gifts..."(176-177) Enkidu said, "He stands for the very god who has helped us, bright Shamesh, our protector, load of the sky, who in every danger will come to our aid".(115)
4. I believe that Utnapishtim is a hero because of his actions during the flood. He was able to save mankind and many animals with the arch that he had made. One thing in our class discussion that made a hero a hero was the fact that they "saved the day" and that exactly what Utnapishtim did
2. Utnapishtim was king of the ancient city of Shuruppak. He was told by the god Ea to build a large ship to survive a flood that was to be sent by the gods. He built the ship, gathered humans and animals to fill the ship and survived the flood. For this the gods granted him eternal life.
3. Utnapishtim can be compared to Enkidu for the way each interacts with Gilgamesh. Both of them try to stop Gilgamesh from doing things that would harm him and both of them tried to convince Gilgamesh that the gods favored him. Utnapishtim said, "You are made from the flesh of both gods and humans, the gods have lavished you with their gifts..."(176-177) Enkidu said, "He stands for the very god who has helped us, bright Shamesh, our protector, load of the sky, who in every danger will come to our aid".(115)
4. I believe that Utnapishtim is a hero because of his actions during the flood. He was able to save mankind and many animals with the arch that he had made. One thing in our class discussion that made a hero a hero was the fact that they "saved the day" and that exactly what Utnapishtim did
BA # 1 (Enkidu)
1.) Enkidu first appers in the text in book one, page 74, canto 2, lines 1-6.
2.) A brief physical description of Enkidu's chraracter, he was created by clay, extreemly tall almost as tall as Gilgamesh, strong with hard rock like muscles, and hairy. Enkidu had a kind hearted personalty he seemed to be the type of person that wanted to make everyone happy no matter what.
3.) Enkidu's character can be compared to Gilgamesh's character because they both face the same trails but they are differnent because Enkidu is a character that is more likely to think things through before taking action. Gilgamesh is a charcter that is more likley to take action without any contemplation. "Enkidu said, "But how can any man dare to enter the Cedar Forest?
It is sacred to Enlil. Hasn't he declared it's entrance forbidden, hasn't he put Humbaba there to terrify men?..."(92).
4.) I would consider Enkidu a hero because he is brave and faces death with Gilgamesh even after he said he didn't think that it was a good idea to go against Humbaba he still stood by his friends side. He is also very selfless because he put his life on the line for Gilgamesh durring the fight against Humbaba and the fight against the bull of heaven. The main reason why I consider Enkidu as a hero is because I think of him as Gilgamesh's side kick like Batman and Robin. Enkidu is Gilgamesh's hero,without Enkidu Gilgamesh would not have been able to win the battle with Humbaba or the bull.
2.) A brief physical description of Enkidu's chraracter, he was created by clay, extreemly tall almost as tall as Gilgamesh, strong with hard rock like muscles, and hairy. Enkidu had a kind hearted personalty he seemed to be the type of person that wanted to make everyone happy no matter what.
3.) Enkidu's character can be compared to Gilgamesh's character because they both face the same trails but they are differnent because Enkidu is a character that is more likely to think things through before taking action. Gilgamesh is a charcter that is more likley to take action without any contemplation. "Enkidu said, "But how can any man dare to enter the Cedar Forest?
It is sacred to Enlil. Hasn't he declared it's entrance forbidden, hasn't he put Humbaba there to terrify men?..."(92).
4.) I would consider Enkidu a hero because he is brave and faces death with Gilgamesh even after he said he didn't think that it was a good idea to go against Humbaba he still stood by his friends side. He is also very selfless because he put his life on the line for Gilgamesh durring the fight against Humbaba and the fight against the bull of heaven. The main reason why I consider Enkidu as a hero is because I think of him as Gilgamesh's side kick like Batman and Robin. Enkidu is Gilgamesh's hero,without Enkidu Gilgamesh would not have been able to win the battle with Humbaba or the bull.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Welcome to our class blog: World Literature I: Barrington
You'll be using this blog to "post" (create a text entry on the front page) or "comment" (respond to another student's post). Over the course of the semester, each student will create at least 2 posts and at least 8 comments. Number each post or comment as BA #x (according to the one due that week).
For your posts, you should use the class’s evolving definition of a hero to argue why one of the characters from the current text is OR is not a hero. (So for BA #1, you’d choose a character from Gilgamesh; for BA #8, you’d choose a character from Dante’s Inferno.) If someone has already written on a character, you should find another character to write about. You'll need to do the following, in the order given, including the numerals to designate the separate parts of the assignment:
1. Provide the name of the character and where the character first appears in the text. For prose, provide page number; for verse, provide book/canto and line number.
2. Provide a short (no more than 50 words) summary or description of the character’s character.
3. Compare this character to another character, either from the same text or from a text we’ve already read in class. (Again, no more than 50 words.) This should not be a simple observation of how your character is "just like" another: they're both men, they both wander for many years, they’re enemies who try to kill the hero, or they both compromise their aspirations. Such statements are invariably trite overgeneralizations. Maybe the characters you're comparing face similar trials but find different ways to solve them; maybe both try to thwart the hero but for different reasons; maybe two female characters view of a common problem differently. Note that each of these examples presents differences within apparent or surface similarities, an approach which generally isn't a bad way to go. You MUST support your answer with evidence that you quote and cite from the text(s).
4. Argue (no more than 50 words) whether your character is OR is not a hero.
For your responses, you should agree or disagree with a post’s conclusions about a character’s heroic qualities by providing and explaining NEW evidence that either supports or questions the post.
For your posts, you should use the class’s evolving definition of a hero to argue why one of the characters from the current text is OR is not a hero. (So for BA #1, you’d choose a character from Gilgamesh; for BA #8, you’d choose a character from Dante’s Inferno.) If someone has already written on a character, you should find another character to write about. You'll need to do the following, in the order given, including the numerals to designate the separate parts of the assignment:
1. Provide the name of the character and where the character first appears in the text. For prose, provide page number; for verse, provide book/canto and line number.
2. Provide a short (no more than 50 words) summary or description of the character’s character.
3. Compare this character to another character, either from the same text or from a text we’ve already read in class. (Again, no more than 50 words.) This should not be a simple observation of how your character is "just like" another: they're both men, they both wander for many years, they’re enemies who try to kill the hero, or they both compromise their aspirations. Such statements are invariably trite overgeneralizations. Maybe the characters you're comparing face similar trials but find different ways to solve them; maybe both try to thwart the hero but for different reasons; maybe two female characters view of a common problem differently. Note that each of these examples presents differences within apparent or surface similarities, an approach which generally isn't a bad way to go. You MUST support your answer with evidence that you quote and cite from the text(s).
4. Argue (no more than 50 words) whether your character is OR is not a hero.
For your responses, you should agree or disagree with a post’s conclusions about a character’s heroic qualities by providing and explaining NEW evidence that either supports or questions the post.
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