Gilgamesh

Synopsis

Vivid, enjoyable and comprehensible, the poet and pre-eminent translator Stephen Mitchell makes the oldest epic poem in the world accessible for the first time. Gilgamesh is a born leader, but in an attempt to control his growing arrogance, the Gods create Enkidu, a wild man, his equal in strength and courage. Enkidu is trapped by a temple prostitute, civilised through sexual experience and brought to Gilgamesh. They become best friends and battle evil together. After Enkidu's death the distraught Gilgamesh sets out on a journey to find Utnapishtim, the survivor of the Great Flood, made immortal by the Gods to ask him the secret of life and death. Gilgamesh is the first and remains one of the most important works of world literature. Written in ancient Mesopotamia in the second millennium B.C., it predates the Iliad by roughly 1,000 years. Gilgamesh is extraordinarily modern in its emotional power but also provides an insight into the values of an ancient culture and civilisation.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Reign of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh, the magnificent king of Uruk, possesses immense strength and ambition. However, his people suffer under his tyranny. To quell his restless spirit, Enkidu, a wild man from the forest, is created by the gods. Their initial encounter leads to a fierce battle that ends in friendship.

Example: "Gilgamesh's heart was full of pride. He had vanquished all his foes, and no man was his equal in strength or courage. But even in victory, he felt a sense of emptiness within him."

Chapter 2: The Quest for Immortality

After losing his companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh becomes haunted by the inevitability of death. He embarks on a perilous journey to the ends of the earth in search of immortality. Along the way, he encounters the wise sage Utnapishtim, who reveals the secret of eternal life.

Example: "Gilgamesh traveled for days through barren wastelands and treacherous mountains. He faced countless dangers and hardships, but his determination never wavered."

Chapter 3: The Great Flood

Utnapishtim recounts the legendary tale of the Great Flood, sent by the gods to destroy humanity for their sins. The gods warn Utnapishtim to build a boat that will save his family and the animals. After the cataclysmic event, he becomes immortal but is denied entrance to the realm of the gods.

Example: "The heavens roared with thunder, and the rain poured down in torrents. The waters rose higher and higher, threatening to engulf the world."

Chapter 4: The Return to Uruk

Gilgamesh, humbled and wiser from his journey, returns to Uruk transformed. He uses his newfound knowledge and wisdom to improve the lives of his people and build a magnificent city. He becomes a revered and beloved ruler, remembered for his epic adventures and enduring legacy.

Example: "Gilgamesh returned to Uruk a changed man. He no longer sought immortality but instead dedicated his life to serving his people. He built temples, canals, and palaces, transforming Uruk into a thriving metropolis."

Chapter 5: The Epilogue

After Gilgamesh's death, his spirit descends to the underworld, where he reunites with Enkidu. Enkidu describes the horrors of the underworld and urges Gilgamesh to appreciate his brief time on earth.

Example: "Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh in hushed tones, his voice filled with both awe and sorrow. 'The underworld is a place of darkness and despair. The dead wander aimlessly, their spirits trapped in eternal torment.'"