Unit 1: The Epic of Gilgamesh
Standards:
ELAWLRL1: Students will read and comprehend The Epic of Gilgamesh, as an example of Sumerian Literature.
ELAWLRL3: Students will relate The Epic of Gilgamesh to the contemporary and/or the historical background of the Sumerian, Egyptian, and Hebrew time periods.
ELAWLRC3: Students will acquire content vocabulary: Epic poem, epic cycle, epic Hero, in media res, and archetype.
ELAWLLSV: Students will listen to the oral reading of The Epic of Gilgamesh and engage in class discussion of the elements used to create the epic.
ELAWLW4: Students will demonstrate understanding of an epic through writing a comparison/contrast essay.
Story Notes: During the presentation of The Epic of Gilgamesh, take notes on the following areas of discussion:
Gilgamesh is the son of ______and the goddess______.He is 2/3 god, 1/3 human. But like all humans ______.
As the poem begins Gilgamesh is ______busy building his city ever greater. When the epic opens, Gilgamesh, though “perfect in splendor, perfect in strength” is ______. His excess energy (in building, exploration, and sex – everything in fact) is causing ______among his people, who pray to the gods for relief.
The gods create ______, a hairy wild man, and place him in the forest near Uruk. He lives like an animal, startling the locals. The locals send to Gilgamesh, who suggests they tame him by sending him a woman to sleep with.
When the two men meet – at a celebration of Ishtar – they fight to a standstill, then become ______.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu decide to go on a ______to free the Cedar Forest of ______. Who had been destined by the gods to keep the pine forest______and to be a ______to the people.
Class Discussion Notes: At this point in the story, what does Gilgamesh have in common with other heroes from literature such as Odysseus or Sundiata?
Story Notes:
In Uruk, the goddess ______approaches Gilgamesh to become her husband.
Enraged that Gilgamesh would reject her, Ishtar sends the ______to ravage Uruk.
Because Gilgamesh and Enkidu had slain Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, ______was ordered to______.
Mourning the loss of his friend, Gilgamesh begins to question if he too will______which sets him off for another journey seeking immortality.
Gilgamesh is aided by Utnapishtim, who reveals how he was saved from the ______.
Utnapishtim offers Gilgamesh a way to become ______.
After failing the test, Gilgamesh returns home a changed man. He comes to understand:
Class Discussion Notes: What elements do you find in Gilgamesh’s character and his journey that support his role as an epic hero?
In-class Essay: Choose one of the following prompts and write a well-written essay addressing the topic. Be sure to check your response for detail, grammar, and coherent thoughts.
- Choose a character you identify as a hero and compare/contrast Gilgamesh to the character. Be sure to give evidence to support your comparisons and/contrasts.
- Choose two or the three stories addressing the flood, and write a comparison/contrast essay. Use evidence from the texts to support your discussion.