An English Verison with an Introduction (Penguin Classics) Penguin classics
128 pages
English language
Published Dec. 30, 1960 by Penguin Classics.
Miraculously preserved on clay tablets deciphered only in the last century, the cycle of poems collected around the character of Gilgamesh, the great king of Ukruk, tells of his long and arduous journey to the Spring of Youth, of his encounters with monsters and gods and of his friendship with Enkidu, the wild man from the hills. Also included in the epic is a legend of the Flood, which agrees in many details with the biblical story of Noah.
I've finally read one of the oldest and most influential works of literature in the world. This was a 1972 version, so I'll be looking into the latest archeaological findings and translations.
So, who is this Gilgamesh character anyway? A king and a hero, and two-thirds divine (however that works). He grows over the course of the epic, from spoiled tyrant to action hero, to bereaved friend, to pilgrim on a spiritual quest for, well, immortality. For our generation he functions as an Everyman. But his generation probably wouldn't bother to write epics about an Everyman. His wealth and power availed him nothing in the face of death. But in one way Gilgamesh did achieve his dream of immortality, in that millennia after his death people are still reading about him.
1) ''Go ahead, Enkidu. This is food,
we humans eat and drink this.'' Warily
he tasted the bread. Then he ate a piece,
he ate a whole loaf, then ate another,
he ate until he was full, drank seven
pitchers of the beer, his heart grew light,
his face glowed, and he sang out with joy.''
2) [Gilgamesh to Ishtar, goddess of love]
''You loved the gardener Ishullanu,
who would bring you baskets of fresh-picked dates,
every day, to brighten your table,
you lusted for him, you drew close and said,
'Sweet Ishullanu, let me suck your rod,
touch my vagina, caress my jewel.'''
3) ''There was singing and feasting in the palace that night.
Later, when the warriors were stretched out asleep,
Enkidu had a terrifying dream.
When he woke up, he said to Gilgamesh,
'Dear friend, why are the great gods assembled?'''
