Epic Beginnings: Gilgamesh's Journey and Literary Elements
REVIEW:
EPIC BEGINNINGS
UNIT
Part 1 of
Gilgamesh
:
How does Gilgamesh establish the
defining features of epic poetry?
Background:
•
Gilgamesh is part man and part God.
•
Gilgamesh is abusing his power and
mistreating his people.
•
Gods send Enikdu (who is equal in
strength) to challenge Gilgamesh.
•
They fight and then become friends.
•
Both men set out on a journey to defeat
Humbaba, a monster of the Cedar Forest
•
Epic Hero
is an
archetype
.
•
Characteristics:
–
Strong warrior and leader
–
Is a compelling and confident speaker
–
Demonstrates courage and takes risks
–
Embarks on a long, challenging journey
–
Proves triumphant in battle
–
Receives help from a supernatural power
FEATURES OF AN EPIC POEM
•
Epic
is a long poem that
tells the story (a narrative)
of a hero.
•
Epics share features that
drive the plot:
–
A courageous hero who
answers a call to adventure
–
A journey filled with
challenges
–
A vast setting of distant
landscape
–
Supernatural forces, such as
god or monsters, that
intervene
Which elements can you identify in
this selection?
at four hundred miles they stopped to eat,
at a thousand miles they pitched their camp.
They had traveled for just three days and nights,
a six weeks’ journey for ordinary men.
When the sun was setting, they dug a well
They filled their waterskins with fresh water,
Gilgamesh climbed to the top of the mountain.
-
A journey
filled with
challenges
-
Vast setting
Courageous
hero
LITERARY ELEMENTS
•
Repetition:
reappearance of words and
phrases for effect.
•
It is important to the structure of an epic
because:
–
Allows poets to remember and retell the
poem
–
Helps audience absorb the poem
–
Create a rhythmic pattern
–
Emphasizes important ideas
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.
LITERARY ELEMENTS CONTINUED
•
Theme:
a message that a text convey
about a topic.
•
A
theme
is never specific to a text, and
should never mention any particular
aspects of a text (including plot elements
characters, setting, etc.).
•
A story can have more than one theme,
and these themes can interact with one
another.
•
A theme is more than just one word, such
as “Love” – this is a topic. My next
question, what is the story revealing about
love? What is the comment being made
about love by the text?
Is this a theme?
•
Money can’t buy happiness.
•
It is better to live free than die under
tyranny.
•
Story inspires readers to take chances in
times of uncertainty.
GILGAMESH THEMES
1.
W
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?
1.
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.
2.
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s
o
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e
o
f
s
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
.
III. Read the excerpt and decide which statement best
reflects the theme:
Gilgamesh backed away. He said,
“How dreadful Humbaba’s face has become!
It is changing into a thousand nightmare
faces, more horrible than I can bear.
I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on.”
Enkidu answered, “Why dearest friend,
Do you speak like a coward? What you just said
is unworthy of you. It grieves my heart.
We must not hesitate or retreat.”
T
h
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m
e
1
:
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T
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:
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.
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Create your own epic hero!
Extra credit Assignment
Choice 1:
You will create an epic hero that exemplifies
at least four of the characteristics of this
archetype. Use the graphic organizer entitled
“Epic Hero Character Chart” to get your
ideas together.
Link:
Epic Hero Character Trait Handout
Choice 2:
Return to the two sections of Gilgamesh
and find textual evidence that illustrates
Gilgamesh as an epic hero. You must fill this
chart completely!
Gilgamesh as an Epic Hero Handout
E-MAIL Mrs. Mav if you would like to complete one of these
activities! I will send you a copy of the handout to your personal
email.
Brooke.Mavretich@henry.k12.ga.us
Text: 678-632-3448 (include your name and which assignment
you would like to complete.)
Embark on a journey through the epic beginnings of Gilgamesh as he establishes defining features of epic poetry. Discover the characteristics of an epic hero, elements of an epic poem, and literary devices like repetition and themes, all woven into this ancient tale.
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Presentation Transcript
REVIEW: EPIC BEGINNINGS UNIT
Part 1 of Gilgamesh: How does Gilgamesh establish the defining features of epic poetry? Background: Epic Hero is an archetype. Gilgamesh is part man and part God. Characteristics: Strong warrior and leader Gilgamesh is abusing his power and mistreating his people. Is a compelling and confident speaker Gods send Enikdu (who is equal in strength) to challenge Gilgamesh. Demonstrates courage and takes risks Embarks on a long, challenging journey They fight and then become friends. Proves triumphant in battle Both men set out on a journey to defeat Humbaba, a monster of the Cedar Forest Receives help from a supernatural power
FEATURES OF AN EPIC POEM Epic is a long poem that tells the story (a narrative) of a hero. Epics share features that drive the plot: A courageous hero who answers a call to adventure A journey filled with challenges A vast setting of distant landscape Supernatural forces, such as god or monsters, that intervene Which elements can you identify in this selection? at four hundred miles they stopped to eat, at a thousand miles they pitched their camp. They had traveled for just three days and nights, a six weeks journey for ordinary men. When the sun was setting, they dug a well They filled their waterskins with fresh water, Gilgamesh climbed to the top of the mountain. - A journey filled with challenges - Vast setting Courageous hero
LITERARY ELEMENTS Gilgamesh repeatedly has a dream and says, Enikdu, dear friend, I have had a dream. What effect does this repetition have? A. It creates a vivid image that the audience can see, and it establishes a more realistic way of storytelling. B. It create pattern that the audience can follow, and it signals that the audience will hear a new dream. Repetition: reappearance of words and phrases for effect. It is important to the structure of an epic because: Allows poets to remember and retell the poem Helps audience absorb the poem Create a rhythmic pattern Emphasizes important ideas After each dream, Gilgamesh says to Enkidu, Dear friend, tell me, what does this mean? What effect does this repetition have? A. It emphasizes the terrifying nature of Gilgamesh s dreams. B. It reinforces Enkidu s role as Gilgamesh s advisor.
LITERARY ELEMENTS CONTINUED Theme: a message that a text convey about a topic. A theme is never specific to a text, and should never mention any particular aspects of a text (including plot elements characters, setting, etc.). A story can have more than one theme, and these themes can interact with one another. A theme is more than just one word, such as Love this is a topic. My next question, what is the story revealing about love? What is the comment being made about love by the text? Is this a theme? Money can t buy happiness. It is better to live free than die under tyranny. Story inspires readers to take chances in times of uncertainty.
GILGAMESH THEMES III. Read the excerpt and decide which statement best reflects the theme: 1. Which statement is a theme of Gilgamesh? 1. Two friends in search of the dreaded monster. 2. Encouragement can be a source of strength. Gilgamesh backed away. He said, How dreadful Humbaba s face has become! It is changing into a thousand nightmare II. Consider these two themes: Good leaders motivate through compelling speeches. Soldiers must persevere through challenging trials. faces, more horrible than I can bear. I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on. Enkidu answered, Why dearest friend, Do you speak like a coward? What you just said Which statement best describes how these themes interact? Gilgamesh encourages Enkidu to continue, and Enkidu faces many tests of courage. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu convincingly urge each other to endure through hardship. is unworthy of you. It grieves my heart. We must not hesitate or retreat. Theme 1: Theme 2: Theme 3: Cowardice leads to death and defeat. People must persevere despite their fears. Gilgamesh needs support to overcome his fears.
Create your own epic hero! Extra credit Assignment Choice 1: Choice 2: You will create an epic hero that exemplifies at least four of the characteristics of this archetype. Use the graphic organizer entitled Epic Hero Character Chart to get your ideas together. Return to the two sections of Gilgamesh and find textual evidence that illustrates Gilgamesh as an epic hero. You must fill this chart completely! Gilgamesh as an Epic Hero Handout Link: Epic Hero Character Trait Handout E-MAIL Mrs. Mav if you would like to complete one of these activities! I will send you a copy of the handout to your personal email. Brooke.Mavretich@henry.k12.ga.us Text: 678-632-3448 (include your name and which assignment you would like to complete.)
