Epic Of Gilgamesh
The Eric of Gilgamesh begins with a preface that introduces Gilgamesh not as a man but as a hero. This harsh tyrant "who saw the deep," is praised; he is the bringer of wisdom, and the man who built the massive walls around Uruk. The strong, handsome, physically perfect hero exhausts young men with contests of strength. Gilgamesh claims the right to sleep with any woman before her wedding night, also known as "droit de signeur." The women of the city complain to the sun god Anu who responds by working with Arurus the mother of gods to create a rival for Gilgamesh. Enkidu, made out of clay is created to be Gilgamesh rival. Enkidu is a creature of the wild, his hiri is uncut and he grazes with the animals. Enkidu begins to plague a hunter who spots him at the watering hole with the animals. The hunter goes to Uruk where Gilgamesh tells him to allow Shamhat, a prostitute, to seduce Enkidu, marking him as a man. This is the way that it happens, Enkidu is irresistibly attracted to Shamhat and they couple for seven nights. Afterwards, Enkidu, is shunned by the herd because he is now more then a man than an animal. Shamhat convinces Enkidu to leave the wild and go to Uruk with her to meet Gilgamesh and challenge his power. Shamhat tells
Enkidu about dreams that Gilgamesh has had, foreshadowing the arrival of Enkidu as a companion rather than a rival. His mother, Ninsun, explained these two strange dreams saying that Enkidu will come as Gilgamesh's friend and redeemer. Gilgamesh accepts this news willingly because he is in need of a friend. Uta-napshti makes Gilgamesh aware that he obviously cannot attain immortality in this manner, he cannot even defeat sleep, the Sesser brother of death. Uta-napshti cleans, clothes and sends Gilgamesh back to Uruk with the accompaniment of Ur-Shanabi. Gilgamesh does not wish to leave without immortality granted upon his so, Uta-napshti tells Gilgamesh of a thorny plant that rejuvenates the successor. This brings a hope of eternal life to Gilgamesh and he is Ur-Shanabi depart of Uruk together. Gilgamesh dives into the ocean to find this plant that could possibly grant him the immortality that he was looking for on the quest. Gilgamesh happily retrieves the plant, but it is stolen from a snake on the way home when Gilgamesh forgetfully leaves the plant behind while bathing. Without this plant to grant him immortality, Gilgamesh is left with nothing, no prize, no treasure, and most of all, no hope for eternal life. Gilgamesh returns with nothing to show from his quest, it seems that he has not gained anything from this adventure, but we see that Gilgamesh has gained wisdom.<
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 936
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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