The Epic of Gilgamesh -- Two Sides of the Story
The Norton Anthology and Stephen Mitchell's Versions
Feb 25, 2009
The ancient text of Epic of Gilgamesh is considered as one of the earliest known works of literary fiction. Inscribed on stone tablets a thousand years before the Iliad and the Bible, the epic poem was found in fragments in Ancient Mesopotamia. Many scholars believe that it is a series of Sumerian legends and poems. Gilgamesh, the hero in the story is considered an icon of popular culture.
History
It was impossible to determine who wrote Gilgamesh but it was written around 3000 BC. The old Sumeria version and the succeeding Akkadian version are often used as reference for the tale. The earliest Sumerian versions come from the Third dynasty of Ur and King Shulgi around 2150-2000 BC. The Akkadian version made up of twelve tablets was edited by Sin-liqe-unninni around 1300 to 1000 BC.
Norton Anthology Version of Epic of Gilgamesh
“Gilgamesh” in The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces version talks of a Middle Eastern story from oral tradition of ancient times. It narrates Gilgamesh’s legendary deeds. Being the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh has special powers of divinity. However, he seems to be arrogant, oppressive and brutal as a ruler. His subjects cannot stand his attittude and supplicated to the Sumerian gods to help them. The gods decide to create a being that is intended to deal with Gilgamesh’s madness. They create Enkidu, half-animal, half-human.
Enkidu and Gilgamesh do not like each other first as they got embroiled in a fight. But they quickly become good friends. They set out on a journey in search of immortality. Enkidu was hesitant to accompany Gilgamesh at first but later give in to his friend’s demands. They go into the woods to kill Humbaba, for no reason.
Ishtar finds Gilgamesh attractive and wants him to love her. But Gilgamesh turns her down. The spurned Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven to Uruk. Enkidu and Gilgamesh defeat the bull. Due to this, Enkidu has to die. When Enkidu passed away, Gilgamesh suffered and went on a journey in search of immortality.
Gilgamesh’s suffering makes him fear death. This fear consumes him. Gilgamesh searches for Utnapishtim, the one man holding the secret of immortality. Gilgamesh faces a number of challenges. When he finally meets Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh fails various tests that would have given him what he sought - immortality. Gilgamesh dies, but his story lives on.
Stephen Mitchell 's Version of Gilgamesh
Another version of Gilgamesh is written by Stephen Mitchell in his book Gilgamesh: A New English Version. In this version, Gilgamesh is the king of the city of Uruk in what is now Iraq. He is a young giant with wealth, power and beauty. On the negative side, he is arrogant king who oppressed his subjects. To help the people who complaint to the gods about Gilgamesh’s behavior, they create Enkidu as his double or a second self.
When Gilgamesh learns about this wild man who lives with the wild animals, he sends a priestess to seduce Enkidu. The priestess succeeds in tempting Enkidu and their physical union tames him, making him act as a human being instead of an animal. Enkidu goes to the city and finds Gilgamesh. They become best friends.
Gilgamesh asked his friend to accompany him to Cedar Forest in search of conquest, to kill the guardian monster, Humbaba. The gods punished them when the monster got killed, Enkidu dies in the process.
Gilgamesh is overcome by grief and fear of death. He sets on a quest in search of immortality. But Gilgamesh fails in his search. He goes back to the city. He does not become immortal but has found a way to embrace his mortality.
The new version by Mitchell has a more positive ending as Gilgamesh lives at the end of the story, a mature and better person in the process. Mitchell’s version enables readers to relate to the epic hero as he seems more human. With all his faults and failures, he has come to live his life well.
Both stories depict some common grounds – Gilgamesh being king and an oppressive one at that. He found friendship in Enkidu. He kills Humbaba and Enkidu is sacrificed for their crime. He searches for immortality. The biggest difference is in the Norton Anthology version, Gilgamesh dies. In Mitchell’s version, he gets to live and transform into a better person.
Lessons on The Epic of Gilgamesh
The earliest texts of the Epic of Gilgamesh existed in c 2100 BC. Despite, the huge gulf of time, the storyline and theme offer startlingly similar concepts relevant to the present-day generation – about the lasting and enduring bonds created between two friends.
These connections show that human culture may have evolved through the years but when it comes to relationships particularly friendships, the bonds we form with friends and the feelings for them are all the same whether centuries ago or at the present.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu become friends in an instant. There is this recognition of kindred spirits. Friends instinctively connect even for no apparent reason as exemplified by Gilgamesh and Enkidu whose connection is instant and complete.
The bond of friendship is universal, speaks all kinds of languages and cuts across all borders.The epic depicts the beautiful and notable aspects of friendship - a need that echoes through time. How friendship is defined remain constant through centuries because true friends are as timeless as the tales.
References:
Mack, Maynard. Gilgamesh. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded ed.New York: W.W. Norton, 1997. 10-42.
Mitchell, Stephen Gilgamesh: A New English Version. New York: Free Press. 2004. ISBN 0- 7432-6164-X.
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