Lecture 1 The Gilgamesh Epic The Coming of Enkidu

Layout of the Gilgamesh Epic: The coming of Enkidu The forest journey Ishtar and Gilgamesh and the death of Enkidu The search for everlasting life The story of the flood The return The death of Gilgamesh

Layout of the Coming of Enkidu: The lament of the men of Uruk (none can withstand Gilgamesh he takes their sons and daughters). Aruru, the goddess of creation, forms out of clay an equal to Gilgamesh who is named Enkidu. Enkidu is like none other; he lives with the wild animals and shares a special bond with both animal and nature. Enkidu stirs up fear in the heart of an animal trapper, who then seeks advice from Gilgamesh, seeing that Enkidu sets the animals free who are caught in his traps. Gilgamesh sends a harlot with the trapper to seduce Enkidu. After Enkidus encounter with the harlot his special bond with both animal and nature is broken. The harlot tells Enkidu to return to Uruk with her to meet Gilgamesh. Enkidu agrees and boast challenging Gilgamesh. The harlot warns him that Gilgamesh is much stronger than him. Gilgamesh has two dreams about Enkidu and how they would become friends. The harlot takes Enkidu to live with shepards. Enkidu watches over the sheep at night. A man came and told the harlot that Gilgamesh is going to get married. When Enkidu heard of this he boldly proclaimed that he was going to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh. When Enkidu arrived in Uruk he came upon Gilgamesh, who was on his way to his bride, and challenged him. It was shown that Gilgamesh was stronger, where after Enkidu and Gilgamesh sealed their friendship.

Lecture 2 Ishtar and Gilgamesh, and the death of Enkidu

After Gilgamesh and Enkidu slayed Humbaba they returned to Uruk. Once there the goddess Ishtar asked Gilgamesh to be her husband, and then she would make him famous among men. Gilgamesh did not accept Ishtars offer, naming all the lovers that Ishtar have had and not loved forever. Ishtar was enraged, she told her father Anu how Gilgamesh insulted her. She went on to ask Anu to give her the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh, and if he did not give it she would open the doors of hell so that the dead can live among the living. Anu agreed to give her the Bull of Heaven, but in return there would b seven years of drought in Uruk. Ishtar however indicates that she saved enough grain for the people for seven year. Ishtar led the Bull of Heaven to Uruk, but it was not match for Gilgamesh who slayed it with the help of Enkidu. Gilgamesh ripped out the heart of the Bull and presented it to Shamash, whereafter Gilgamesh and the heroes of the city had a great feast. Enkidu had a dream which he told to Gilgamesh. In the dream Enlil said to Shamash that because Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed both Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven one of them must die. Enkidu became sick and in his sickness he cursed the city walls of Uruk and the harlot who braught him there. Shamash however spoke to him from heaven telling him to not curse the harlot because if it was not for her he would never have known Gilgamesh. Enkidu then withdrew his curse. Enkidu had another dream, wherein a sombre-faced man-bird transformed his arms into wings and took him to the place of the Queen of Darkness where those who enters never returns. There Enkidu saw many kings, rulers and kings who once wore kingly crowns and ruled the world in the days of old. Enkidu shared his dream with Gilgamesh, and as he becames sicker Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu. Enkidu died and Gilgamesh mourned him for seven days and nights. Gilgamesh commanded that the whole Uruk weep for his friend and commissioned that a statue should be made of his friend.