About Epic of Gilgamesh Book
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest surviving influential literature and is also regarded as the second earliest religious text. Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia, which is current-day Iraq. Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, was a hero in Mesopotamian mythology and is the protagonist of this poem. It was written in the 2nd millennium BC in an East Semitic language known as Akkadian.
The oldest surviving version of the poem is referred to as the ‘Old Babylonian Version,’ and only a handful of the tablets survived. However, between the 13th to 10th centuries BC, a ‘Standard Babylonian Version’ was compiled. Some 12 tablets of this later version, representing about two-thirds of the total amount, have been recovered
Book Summary
The first half of the Epic of Gilgamesh is about Gilgamesh and Enkidu, a mythological warrior. Enkidu was created by the gods to stop Gilgamesh from his tyranny and oppression of the people of Uruk. Enkidu is initiated into civilization after he has sex with Shamhat, a sacred prostitute.
Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu engage in a competition of strength, which Gilgamesh wins, and both men become friends afterward. They both make a 6-day journey to the legendary cedar forest to slay the guardian of the cedar tree and cut it down. They also slaughter the bull of heaven, sent by the goddess Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh. In the second half of the poem, Gilgamesh proceeds on a long and perilous journey to seek the secret of eternal life after the death of his dear friend Enkidu.
Essay Structure on Epic of Gilgamesh
Introduction
Ever read the first few lines of an essay and dropped it? This is what happens when an introduction is poorly written. You need to catch the attention of your reader with your opening statements. The best way to do this is to use a hook. A hook is a short series of sentences that gets your reader interested in what you have to say next.
Once you get your reader intrigued about your essay, the next thing to do is talk about what you set out to achieve with your paper. Your introduction must always include a valid thesis statement. This shows that you fully understand what is expected of you, and the reader can know exactly what to expect as they read.
Body
This is where the bulk of your job is. The body of your essay is where you expound on ideas and present your facts. When you write an essay on the Epic of Gilgamesh, the body of your text must reflect that you have thoroughly read and researched the book. You could include quotes from the book or base your discussion on a significant theme.
Arrange your discussions here in a way that is easy for the reader to follow and understand. Use short and clear sentences, and avoid beating about the bush. Present the facts without bias. If needed, you can share your opinions on some of the issues you are writing about.
Conclusion
A common error students make when writing conclusions is they bring up new ideas or discuss new thoughts that were not in the body of their text. Do well to avoid this.
To better understand conclusions, just think about it as a recap of everything you have said from the first sentence to the last. The concluding part of your essay is where you write a great summary. You can end the conclusion with a thoughtful question for the reader to peruse.
Tips to Consider While Writing An essay about the Epic of Gilgamesh
Read the book thoroughly
To write an academic paper on the Epic of Gilgamesh, you must read the book from cover to cover. There are no shortcuts to writing an excellent essay on a book you have not read. You would end up dancing around the topic entirely or even miss the point.
Unfortunately, book summaries don’t count for reading the book itself. Book reviews don’t count, either. You just have to read the book; unless you want to churn out a mediocre essay. To write something worthwhile, take time out and read the book. Patiently read each chapter and understand what it means.
Find a compelling topic
An excellent essay begins with a great topic. Let’s be sincere; some topics are just tricky to write about. Before you start to scribble down notes and ideas, you need to come up with an excellent essay topic. In some cases, you could be given what to write on, but in most cases, you have the freedom to pick your topic. Make the best use of this. Come up with a list of topics that show a proper understanding of the Epic of Gilgamesh, and then narrow it down till you have a phenomenal title.
Create the outline
The essence of an essay is in the outline. Simply put, an outline is a list of things you want to write about. It is a skeletal framework that informs the ideas and discussions that would be treated in your essay. While you can always attempt to write an essay without an outline, you may omit one or more essential points or end up over-flogging a particular area.
Creating an outline is just the most thoughtful way to go. Write out topics and sub-topics you think you should cover in your essay, and review this list as many times as necessary before you begin writing.
Write the thesis statement
A thesis statement can be described as the wheel that determines the direction of your essay. It is all about what you intend to achieve with your essay. Are you reviewing a theme, is your work about the influence of a particular character on the entire book, or are you simply comparing one book with another? It is not acceptable to write an academic essay without a clear direction of purpose.
Your text would seem worthless if you didn’t state where you are headed. When writing your thesis statement, avoid vague and complex words. Put it simply and as clearly as possible.
Include a lesson or moral
This is an easy way to make your essay stand out. While you may write an essay without putting forward clear lessons, you would undoubtedly get better grades if you did. Your work should not be all about academic perspectives without real lessons that can be applied to the real world.
Take time out to fashion appropriate lessons or morale in your work. This goes to show you are a thoughtful student who is capable of deep reflections. Of course, a fair understanding of the Epic of Gilgamesh is needed to draw out correct morale. You don’t want to point out lessons that show you didn’t read the book or don’t understand what you are talking about.
Conclusion: Proofread your work
This is the final hurdle on your way to a top-notch essay. Proofread your work. This cannot be over-emphasized. Don’t make assumptions that everything is fine. Editing and proofreading are what makes you sure. Read your entire text a couple of times and correct errors. You can also use this opportunity to revisit your main points and ensure they align with your statement of purpose. Ensure to follow the appropriate format as requested. Your work should be void of plagiarism.
Writing a superb essay can be tasking. This is not to scare you. If you cannot write your essays, we have seasoned writers on standby waiting for your instructions. We will give you a great essay at a reasonable price.
FAQs
Why is the Epic of Gilgamesh so important?
It is the oldest known written poem, and it is about the legendary tales of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk. He attempts to use his super strengths to defy death, living a great life on his terms. He struggled to accept the death of his close friend and questioned the meaning of life.
Is the epic of Gilgamesh a true story?
Although it is rumored to be a myth, most historians agree that Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk, an ancient Sumerian state, which is modern-day Iraq. He was said to have lived during the early dynastic period between 2900 and 2350 BC
What is the epic of Gilgamesh mainly about?
It is about the life of Gilgamesh, a brutal and harsh king of Uruk. In the course of living, he fights strange creatures to death, angers a few gods, and loses his dear friend. He lives the last phase of his life in sober reflection and sought for a way to cheat death
Is Gilgamesh mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible never mentions the word Gilgamesh, but there are various themes and characters in the Bible that have striking similarities to Gilgamesh. Such are the accounts of the garden of Eden, the flooding of the earth, and the advice from Ecclesiastes.
