Illustration of Gilgamesh's face

The Epic of Gilgamesh

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Student Question

How does the Epic of Gilgamesh use tone, style, imagery, or point of view to represent "the good" in tablets 1, 2, 6, and 7?

Quick answer:

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, "the good" is depicted through tone, style, and imagery, emphasizing knowledge, experience, and discovery. Tablet 1 highlights Gilgamesh's wisdom, as he understands hidden truths and pre-Flood events, portraying these as cultural ideals. His journey toward peace and his construction of city walls and temples for the gods symbolize personal and communal achievements. These elements reflect the epic's cultural values of wisdom, exploration, and devotion.

Expert Answers

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Yes, this is a tough question because it is difficult to see "the good" in the epic of Gilgamesh. By "the good", however, I think your professor means "good" in the Platonic sense, not "good" in the modern American sense.

It looks to me like several indications of "the good" for the culture of this epic can be found in the opening lines of Tablet 1. Gilgamesh is defined as a man "who has seen everything" and who has "experienced all things". We are also told that the god "Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all". The author also informs us that Gilgamesh "saw the Secret" and "discovered the Hidden", as well as that Gilgamesh learned about things that happened "before the Flood". Additionally, the epic relates that Gilgamesh made a lengthy journey, pushed "himself to exhaustion", and "then was brought to peace." What's more, Gilgamesh built walls not only for his city, but also for temples of the gods.

Thus, from just the opening lines of Tables I, I would say we can find several elements of what the culture depicted in the epic considers to be "the good": the ability/opportunity to see all things, experience all things, know all things, see what is secret, discover what is hidden, and acquire knowledge that no other human being possessed. Moreover, Gilgamesh makes an astonishing journey, appears to achieve some sort of personal peace, and creates structures that protect his people's city and provides "housing" for the gods themselves.

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