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A review by elle_reads
The Epic of Gilgamesh by Unknown
5.0
(Instagram @elle_reads)
[book review] The Epic of Gilgamesh
A king finds the truth of immortality.
//
WHAT I LIKED
I'm a sucker for ancient texts. Getting back to some of the earliest words with my Gilgamesh reread was exactly what I needed. I love that epic heroes rarely say why they do things. Readers have to figure it out by their conversations and actions. While I also love a good psychological profile (Murakami), there's something so honest and unapologetic about ancient hero's unexplained decisions.
/
The themes are great. The first line prepares the reader to focus on the themes of information through storytelling as well as the dichotomy between city and country as the hero embarks on a strenuous journey. It immediately emphasizes the “tidings” as the singular idea gained by the hero in his venture. Hence, the hero will be changed to the point of homeward return by and with words - not a precious artifact or monstrous head. The hero then writes his tale and begins to build a wall. He creates a division between the city of Uruk and the surrounding countryside. The gigantic wall creates a firm line between the land of his journey and the land of his homecoming. The line is of such importance that he uses it to house his story of the journey beyond. The clay walls are compared to copper, just as the hero places his story in a copper box. The knowledge with which the hero returns is perpetually set between the wilderness where it is born and the city where it is used through the brain of the king. In this way, the hero acknowledges the danger and power of his labors.
//
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I want to know more about the tavern keeper at the end of the world.
//
The Epic of Gilgamesh (by who knows, translated by Andrew George) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
//
"He who saw the Deep, the country's foundation [who] knew...was wise in all matters" (1033)
//
#theepicofgilgamesh #gilgamesh #edxcourse
#ellescommonplacebook2019
#ellereadstheword
#ellesedxcourse
[book review] The Epic of Gilgamesh
A king finds the truth of immortality.
//
WHAT I LIKED
I'm a sucker for ancient texts. Getting back to some of the earliest words with my Gilgamesh reread was exactly what I needed. I love that epic heroes rarely say why they do things. Readers have to figure it out by their conversations and actions. While I also love a good psychological profile (Murakami), there's something so honest and unapologetic about ancient hero's unexplained decisions.
/
The themes are great. The first line prepares the reader to focus on the themes of information through storytelling as well as the dichotomy between city and country as the hero embarks on a strenuous journey. It immediately emphasizes the “tidings” as the singular idea gained by the hero in his venture. Hence, the hero will be changed to the point of homeward return by and with words - not a precious artifact or monstrous head. The hero then writes his tale and begins to build a wall. He creates a division between the city of Uruk and the surrounding countryside. The gigantic wall creates a firm line between the land of his journey and the land of his homecoming. The line is of such importance that he uses it to house his story of the journey beyond. The clay walls are compared to copper, just as the hero places his story in a copper box. The knowledge with which the hero returns is perpetually set between the wilderness where it is born and the city where it is used through the brain of the king. In this way, the hero acknowledges the danger and power of his labors.
//
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I want to know more about the tavern keeper at the end of the world.
//
The Epic of Gilgamesh (by who knows, translated by Andrew George) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
//
"He who saw the Deep, the country's foundation [who] knew...was wise in all matters" (1033)
//
#theepicofgilgamesh #gilgamesh #edxcourse
#ellescommonplacebook2019
#ellereadstheword
#ellesedxcourse