From the Bookshelf of Reading Classics, Chronologically Through the Ages…
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The Epic of Gilgamesh, being an epic poem, is a chronicle with a beginning, middle, and end, except for the very last tablet (XII), which seems to have been tacked onto the end much later in time because not only is it its own story apart from all the rest, it contradicts the original story.
The epic begins with the overarching idea that Sumerians are conflicted about kingship (Gilgamesh is strong as a king should be—“two-thirds a god, one-third a man”—…but oppressive: “Aruru is the maker of this ...more
The epic begins with the overarching idea that Sumerians are conflicted about kingship (Gilgamesh is strong as a king should be—“two-thirds a god, one-third a man”—…but oppressive: “Aruru is the maker of this ...more
This is certainly a very short poem/story. I liked how the end was a circle back in reference to the beginning. I am also amazed at the ideas the poem is based on: fear of mortality and the importance of people and relationships rather than things especially. Timeless apparently!
I’m no poetry aficionado so I don’t feel very qualified to judge, but I can say that several parts were repetitive- word by word- and that gets tired for me. Perhaps it was the necessity of following iambic pentameter. B ...more
I’m no poetry aficionado so I don’t feel very qualified to judge, but I can say that several parts were repetitive- word by word- and that gets tired for me. Perhaps it was the necessity of following iambic pentameter. B ...more
Dec 18, 2017
Rosie Gearhart
marked it as to-read
