V. Religion and Afterlife (Continued)

In Gilgamesh's grief for Enkidu is there another element? He grieves for his friend, but he grieves for something else. What is that?

Confrontation of Mortality. Why is the fear of death so great? Why doesn't their religion comfort them, bring them hope?

The Afterlife: p. 28. Why is it so gloomy? How does this contrast with the Christian afterlife?

The idea of mortality: "How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair is in my heart. What my brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead" (30).

VI The Importance of Fame

Why is it so important for Gilgamesh to achieve fame? Does this have anything to do with religion?

G. to E.: "I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed . . . . "(18).

When E. is afraid for his friend, G. replies, "Only the gods live for ever with glorious Shamash, but as for us men, our days are numbered, our occupations are a breath of wind. . .. Then if I fall I leave behind me a name that endures; men will say of me . . . (17).

Look at p. 24: Gilgamesh speaks to Shamash, "I have looked over the wall and I see the bodies floating on the river, and that will be my lot also. . . . Therefore I would enter that country; because I have not established my name stamped on brick as my destiny decreed, I will go to the country where the cedar is cut.I will set up my name where the names of famous men are written . . ."(20).

The gods are credited with causing the desire of fame, so there is a religious rationalization which we'll see in Homer's Iliad.: "If this enterprise is not to be accomplished,why did you move me, Shamash, with the restless desire to perform it?" (18)

Fatalism: The idea seems to be that any idea that pops into your head must have come from the gods. What's the effect of that?

VII Shame and battle:

p. 28

VIII Gilgamesh's lesson:

A. Siduri tells him, p. 35

B. Utnapishtim: "There is no permanence. Do we build a house to stand for ever . . . (38).