ipl-logo

Deciphering Dreams In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

1688 Words7 Pages

Deciphering Dreams

Dreams are puzzling. The reason why we have dreams remains one of the greatest unanswered questions in human history. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, dreams play a critical role as an aid to the characters, to the plot, and, even, to the original oral storytellers. Dreams are used as a means of communication for characters, as a device to foreshadow future plot points, and as a device to help oral storytellers remember the tale.
Characters use dreams as a direct way to communicate with the gods, or as prophecy from the gods. Main characters are given key information from the gods, directly from their dreams or from interpretations of their dreams. For example, as Gilgamesh sets out on his journey to kill Humbaba, he ask Shamash, “O mountain, dwelling of the gods bring me a favorable dream.” (pg 9) Following …show more content…

Enkidu interprets this dream as a sign that Shamash is traveling with them as a father and protector. The vision of a wild bull foreshadows the future battle against the Bull of Heaven. In the second chapter, “The Forest Journey”, Gilgamesh’s destiny is revealed to him in a dream by Enlil. Enkidu explains that the dream means Gilgamesh will not live forever but while he lives he will be powerful. At this point forward Gilgamesh, again and again, clashes with his mortality. From denying the reality of it and his determination to evade death, he fights against his density. This initial encounter with his mortality foreshadows the entire narrative, Gilgamesh must die. Here it is learned that death is inevitable. Yet, Gilgamesh only learns this at the end having finally accepted his mortality after failing his journey for immortality. Along with his mortality, Gilgamesh is given the gift of power which signify his later realization of the immortality that lies in the actions and achievements of man. This dream lays the foundation of the entire

Show More
Related

  • Compare And Contrast Gilgamesh And Mulan

    436 Words  | 2 Pages

    His goal is to better the world and help everyone including himself to be set free from evil. Traveling to Cedar Forest, while being haunted by nightmares. An interpretation of them is a form of reassurance for Gilgamesh about survival and victory by Lord

    Read More

  • The Christian Critical Tradition In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    631 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gilgamesh is somewhat bitter with the fact that only gods are able to live forever. When he thinks about death he is very uncomfortable because he feels that he is a mighty warrior of a man and the only thing that will ultimately end him is death. We also see how the death of his beloved friend Enkidu drives him to the edge of the earth in attempt to prolong or completely liberate himself from the same fate. This is a valuable lesson for mankind throughout history. No matter what you may feel or become in the

    Read More

  • Joseph And Gilgamesh Compare And Contrast

    839 Words  | 4 Pages

    This is the story of two great men in two different eras. Joseph, a biblical man with great power and authority sold from the land of Canaan to the land of Egypt. The other, a man named Gilgamesh, a strong and handsome man from an epic story of the Ancient Babylonian time. These men were very different but, at some point very powerful times in their lives and then also had some challenging times. Gilgamesh starts off with a powerful live and then goes through some turbulence and Joseph start out with turbulence and becomes powerful.

    Read More

  • Humbristic To Humble Gilgamesh Analysis

    746 Words  | 3 Pages

    Always encountering success, Gilgamesh was once a tyrant to his people. Reflecting on his rule, he recalls that, “He demanded from an old birthright/the privilege of sleeping with their brides” (15). His triumphs fostered arrogance. To him, everyone else paled in comparison. When he experiences defeat, however, Gilgamesh grows as a leader, seeing the similarities between him and his subjects, their common humanity.

    Read More

  • What Tests Did Gilgamesh Face Throughout His Life

    681 Words  | 3 Pages

    What caused Gilgamesh live to want immortality? He wanted that everyone never forgets his name after he died. So, keeps his memories alive was the perfect excuse in his searching for the immortality. Also, when he lost his close friend, this pain gave him more reasons in finding the secret of immortality.

    Read More

  • The Rise And Fall Of Hubris In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1563 Words  | 7 Pages

    (George, 99). This demonstrates Gilgamesh’s newfound appreciation for his city and life, and provides the audience with closure of his

    Read More

  • Turning Point Of Gilgamesh Hero's Journey

    920 Words  | 4 Pages

    Gilgamesh reaches a watershed moment in his life when he recognizes his strengths and shortcomings, develops the capacity to accept change, and continues on his journey within himself. He had been concerned with his ego and mortality up until this time. Nevertheless, as he goes through the underworld, he is forced to accept his mortality and come to terms with the idea that death is an unavoidable part of existence. Gilgamesh ultimately returns to Uruk after recognizing the worth of life and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. Gilgamesh eventually learns this lesson, grows wiser and more modest, and returns to Uruk with a new understanding of life and the value of leaving a lasting effect.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Achilles

    961 Words  | 4 Pages

    In comparison, it’s always observed on how different scholars find the similarity of especially marital settings, characters, and as well as the wanderings of the mythological world. Different events within the life of these characters cover broadly a huge range of epic encounters that are heroic. The character, emotional and psychological development of Gilgamesh can be borrowed especially from the ancient heroic perspectives of mortality and death while comparing with Achilles. Mesopotamian civilization has had several phases in which hero Gilgamesh has been in existence, however having similar attributes. One of the earliest stories of Gilgamesh is developed from Sumerian texts, one of the most influential and well-known poems (Michelakis & Pantelis 2007).

    Read More

  • Bulls In Gilgamesh Essay

    606 Words  | 3 Pages

    This dream also hints at Gilgamesh’s fight with Humbaba. In this fight, Humbaba inhales like a wild bull and “turned full of threatenings” (10). As Humbaba is the guard of the cedar forest, it is his job to protect it. Thus, when Gilgamesh and Enkidu come to defeat him and cut down a tree, he must be aggressive and try to kill them. The use of wild bulls to describe conflicts help depict their aggression and hostility toward each

    Read More

  • Ideal Heroic King In Epic Of Gilgamesh

    902 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh gives a lot of insight to what was happening and what was expected in ancient Mesopotamia. The epic poem which revolves around a king, includes many details in to the civilization, beliefs, and values of the Mesopotamians. The king thrives to be remembered and many of his actions reflect that. The Epic of Gilgamesh show how an ideal heroic king should be in ancient Mesopotamia. The first thing it shows us is that hero kings should be strong.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh: Relevant Truth For Today's Society

    1067 Words  | 5 Pages

    The early Gilgamesh was full of hubris as much as he is full greatness. But towards the end of the poem

    Read More

  • Epic Of Gilgamesh Suffering

    1147 Words  | 5 Pages

    Through suffering, they learn the nature of reality and accept their limitations. Gilgamesh suffers from attempting to obtain glory and immortality. In the beginning, Gilgamesh tyrannized

    Read More

  • Theme Of Nature In Gilgamesh

    1030 Words  | 5 Pages

    Is nature really important in Gilgamesh? Obstacle or illusion? “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the wild animals of the earth…I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.” Nature plays a pivotal role in our world, it is an obstacle to many of us but we can still benefit from it. Linking back to the epic of Gilgamesh, if nature weren’t there would have Gilgamesh still faced the same obstacles?

    Read More

  • A Hero's Quest For Immortality Analysis

    711 Words  | 3 Pages

    A Hero’s Quest for Immortality Gilgamesh, just like any other heroes, receives a vision from the gods pertaining to his fate, “The father of the gods has given you kingship, such is your destiny, everlasting life is not your destiny.” It makes no sense at first but as the story progress, we found out that Gilgamesh was never meant to live eternal life. The quest for immortality is a common theme in mythologies. Heroes undergo challenges against gods and supernatural creatures in order to get the desired item that would restore one’s youth.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1100 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is an example of a piece of literature that uses symbolism frequently. For example, it uses “garden” meaning paradise and even refers to The Garden of Eden. In the Epic of Gilgamesh by anonymous, the symbols cedar meaning immortality, mountains which represents proximity to the gods, and gates and portals symbolizing a passage to the unknown are very important within the epic itself. Cedar within the epic does not only mean a tree, but has a deeper definition as well. Cedar can often represent immortality because it doesn’t decay and it is very hard to break.

    Read More

More about Deciphering Dreams In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Open Document