Welcome to the Nether World. You may enter now...—yet, to do so, you must understand quite well our syllabus to live as a truly dead person, as you will face serious consequences if you were to break them.
The syllabus are easy to follow. Dress code; crucial within our World. Any form of breaking it will show sevre signs of lacking respect. Never shall you wear clean or new clothes when coming into the underworld, you will seem as a complete stranger for people, eventually alterating them.
There isn’t need to perfume yourself either, as the smell will go within seconds, and rather than pleasant smells it will bring you irritating mosquitoes. People already living within the dead are not used to seeing nor smelling people from “up there”, so they won’t like it, a sit will seem strange.
Nobody will attack you or hate you if you follow our syllabus properly; so tere’s no need for weapons (and come on, everyone’s dead already!). What will bring you misfortune from your fellow dead, will be indeed for your mistakes and misbehavings. Once again, welcome, to the World of Dead.
So Enkidu went and he perfumed himself, and he wore recently clean clothes, and
he brought a bow. And so the Nether World kept him, never allowing him to go “back up.”
No one is entirely sure , though we came up with different theories and beliefs in class, where we are going after death…whether it’s a place or a state of mind, or if we will be alive on someway after death itself.
So, as we’re not sure, we are not sure either how we should prepare ourselves; I'm pretty sure, though, whether we perfume or dress ourselves properly will not matter.
For the time, the best is to remain good, assuring you will most likely go to heaven...right?
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Entry 6 (Tablet 11)
Lies and Men
For Gilgamesh to be immortal, Utnapishtim tells him he shall stay up 6 days and 6 nights, and this way he will reach his so desired goal. Gilgamesh admits immediately, not really interested in the secondary consequences that occurs, hence, he sits by the shore…but falls asleep as soon as he lays down.
Utnapishtim was convinced that Gilgamesh would lie, saying that he did stay awake for 6 days and 6 nights straight.
Not only Gilgamesh—who is half-human—lies. We the humans do as well. We do it because we are either too ashamed we were wrong, or because what we had accepted at the beginning in the first place resulted out too hard, and we were so into it we never thought about any other effects it might have had, or its level of difficulty.
It is easy to be ashamed for anything, we humans are ashamed every now and then. So afraid are we—of that people might be angry at our foolishness—we tend to lie, as if it was so much better.
Truth is—it is not, as it only makes things worse. Gilgamesh made effects that might have not occurred if he had told the truth. He might have for example, granted immortality for accepting his failure at task. Therefore, he would have never had the plant of “Youthness”, and therefore snakes wouldn’t change of skin.
Who was Gilgamesh trying to lie to anyway? To Utnapishtim, the immortal? It is already wrong when we lie to our own people, what if we lie to our superiors? We’d have to get used to our groundings…and learn that lying will not exactly bring benefits. It is better to be careful, as not everyone is as compassionate as Utnapishtim...
For Gilgamesh to be immortal, Utnapishtim tells him he shall stay up 6 days and 6 nights, and this way he will reach his so desired goal. Gilgamesh admits immediately, not really interested in the secondary consequences that occurs, hence, he sits by the shore…but falls asleep as soon as he lays down.
Utnapishtim was convinced that Gilgamesh would lie, saying that he did stay awake for 6 days and 6 nights straight.
Not only Gilgamesh—who is half-human—lies. We the humans do as well. We do it because we are either too ashamed we were wrong, or because what we had accepted at the beginning in the first place resulted out too hard, and we were so into it we never thought about any other effects it might have had, or its level of difficulty.
It is easy to be ashamed for anything, we humans are ashamed every now and then. So afraid are we—of that people might be angry at our foolishness—we tend to lie, as if it was so much better.
Truth is—it is not, as it only makes things worse. Gilgamesh made effects that might have not occurred if he had told the truth. He might have for example, granted immortality for accepting his failure at task. Therefore, he would have never had the plant of “Youthness”, and therefore snakes wouldn’t change of skin.
Who was Gilgamesh trying to lie to anyway? To Utnapishtim, the immortal? It is already wrong when we lie to our own people, what if we lie to our superiors? We’d have to get used to our groundings…and learn that lying will not exactly bring benefits. It is better to be careful, as not everyone is as compassionate as Utnapishtim...
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Entry 5 (Tablets 9-10)
How Significant Losses affect People
We realize how important was Enkidu’s presence for Gilgamesh, who, at first happened to be some sort of lonely ruler, became more friendly and flexible with is kingdom, for Enkidu’s coming along in the first place. The two friends shared adventures, till Enkidu fell sick and died. There is indeed a change of personality in Gilgamesh before and after Enkidu’s death.
Similar to what might happen in reality right now, be the loss significant, Gilgamesh wonders whether living life without Enkidu might be worth living. He concludes it might be only worth living, if he could be immortal—why he sets off on a dangerous journey.
By taking on this journey, we can detect change within Gilgamesh, as he doesn’t care whether the task is dangerous, or if he is going alone; he becomes somewhat stubborn, and he isn’t really thinking carefully of what he is doing or why. Stubborn too, as he ignores whatever the monsters he finds in the cave say trying to alert him, to make him understand on the dangerous task he is about to embark, companionless.
Today, people who’d just suffered a great loss might want to spend some time alone. Gilgamesh was trying to reach immortality not only for his stuborness, but because maybe he wanted to spend some time alone.
People might, aswell, take risky actions in “honor” to the loss they’d just had. Gilgamesh is somehow on this task because of Enkidu. Not doing it in his honor, exactly, but because Enkidu was the one who caused Gilgamesh to do this, indirectly, by dying.
We realize how important was Enkidu’s presence for Gilgamesh, who, at first happened to be some sort of lonely ruler, became more friendly and flexible with is kingdom, for Enkidu’s coming along in the first place. The two friends shared adventures, till Enkidu fell sick and died. There is indeed a change of personality in Gilgamesh before and after Enkidu’s death.
Similar to what might happen in reality right now, be the loss significant, Gilgamesh wonders whether living life without Enkidu might be worth living. He concludes it might be only worth living, if he could be immortal—why he sets off on a dangerous journey.
By taking on this journey, we can detect change within Gilgamesh, as he doesn’t care whether the task is dangerous, or if he is going alone; he becomes somewhat stubborn, and he isn’t really thinking carefully of what he is doing or why. Stubborn too, as he ignores whatever the monsters he finds in the cave say trying to alert him, to make him understand on the dangerous task he is about to embark, companionless.
Today, people who’d just suffered a great loss might want to spend some time alone. Gilgamesh was trying to reach immortality not only for his stuborness, but because maybe he wanted to spend some time alone.
People might, aswell, take risky actions in “honor” to the loss they’d just had. Gilgamesh is somehow on this task because of Enkidu. Not doing it in his honor, exactly, but because Enkidu was the one who caused Gilgamesh to do this, indirectly, by dying.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Entry 4 (Tablets 7-8)
Mistakes as old as Myths
The two main characters, within this epic, seem practically invincible when they join forces, when they fight together. Yet, they are not entirely Gods, what makes them humans, hence they shall be imperfect and make mistakes in a way or other.
Enkidu finds out, in his dream, he was the chosen one to die, said the Gods, for he had helped Gilgamesh in the killing of The Bull of Heaven. He discovers it was a mistake for him to abandon nature, where he belonged.
When we humans make mistakes, we tend to feel shameful, stupid and guilty. We tend to hide your shamefulness blaming our mistakes on others, just like Enkidu was cursing Shamhat, and the Hunter, believing them guilty. We ignore the fact that by making mistakes, we learn to not do them again; it’s our destiny…we are humans therefore we shall make mistakes, anytime in our lives.
Enkidu was told by Shamhash, later, that it wasn’t completely a mistake. As you have to have tolerance with the mistakes you made, you shall try new things in live as well. It was good how Enkidu was able to get to know a little bit of a civilization. After all, if he hadn’t made that “mistake”; he would’ve never heard about Gilgamesh, and they would have never became friends.
The two main characters, within this epic, seem practically invincible when they join forces, when they fight together. Yet, they are not entirely Gods, what makes them humans, hence they shall be imperfect and make mistakes in a way or other.
Enkidu finds out, in his dream, he was the chosen one to die, said the Gods, for he had helped Gilgamesh in the killing of The Bull of Heaven. He discovers it was a mistake for him to abandon nature, where he belonged.
When we humans make mistakes, we tend to feel shameful, stupid and guilty. We tend to hide your shamefulness blaming our mistakes on others, just like Enkidu was cursing Shamhat, and the Hunter, believing them guilty. We ignore the fact that by making mistakes, we learn to not do them again; it’s our destiny…we are humans therefore we shall make mistakes, anytime in our lives.
Enkidu was told by Shamhash, later, that it wasn’t completely a mistake. As you have to have tolerance with the mistakes you made, you shall try new things in live as well. It was good how Enkidu was able to get to know a little bit of a civilization. After all, if he hadn’t made that “mistake”; he would’ve never heard about Gilgamesh, and they would have never became friends.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Entry 3 (Tablets 4-6)
Bull of Heaven and the Nuclear Bomb
The Bull of Heaven the Goddess Ishtar uses to hopefully destroy Gilgamesh, can be easily compared with a form of massive destruction—known today as the nuclear bomb.
She sent the Bull of Heaven cause Gilgamesh had rejected her sexually, thus she was feeling rage towards the King. It is for the same reasons one individual might activate a nuclear bomb, today (such as hatred, wrath).
Yet people, to accomplish the task of destruction, have to have at first an easy access towards the bomb, just like Ishtar had to the Bull of Heaven (as she was a Goddess); Someone such as a president of a potential country.
For both causes, no matter if past or present, a lot of innocent people shall die for either the nuclear bomb or the Bull of Heaven, that were not meant to die in the first place. The individual might have wanted to attack just a group of people contradicting his/her beliefs, or a country, cause of having politics and laws he/she disliked. Someone wouldn’t just want to kill the whole world as an effect or a small abhorrence, an attack that was meant for a specific group of people.
Though, the reasons of activating destruction might have been for different purposes, between Ishtar’s Bull of Heaven and the modern Nuclear bomb. It was because of love and rejection Ishtar sent the Bull towards Gilgamesh—only meant for him. Today, an individual is more probable to attack because of political affairs, that disagree or contradict his/her own.
The Bull of Heaven the Goddess Ishtar uses to hopefully destroy Gilgamesh, can be easily compared with a form of massive destruction—known today as the nuclear bomb.
She sent the Bull of Heaven cause Gilgamesh had rejected her sexually, thus she was feeling rage towards the King. It is for the same reasons one individual might activate a nuclear bomb, today (such as hatred, wrath).
Yet people, to accomplish the task of destruction, have to have at first an easy access towards the bomb, just like Ishtar had to the Bull of Heaven (as she was a Goddess); Someone such as a president of a potential country.
For both causes, no matter if past or present, a lot of innocent people shall die for either the nuclear bomb or the Bull of Heaven, that were not meant to die in the first place. The individual might have wanted to attack just a group of people contradicting his/her beliefs, or a country, cause of having politics and laws he/she disliked. Someone wouldn’t just want to kill the whole world as an effect or a small abhorrence, an attack that was meant for a specific group of people.
Though, the reasons of activating destruction might have been for different purposes, between Ishtar’s Bull of Heaven and the modern Nuclear bomb. It was because of love and rejection Ishtar sent the Bull towards Gilgamesh—only meant for him. Today, an individual is more probable to attack because of political affairs, that disagree or contradict his/her own.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Entry 2 (Tablets 1-3)
Contained in the Tablets
The Tablets of Gilgamesh are made both of—what some people could believe as—
Fiction and Non-Fiction.
This tale of Gilgamesh, it could have happened.
Leaders had different tactics to rule, hoping that for what they believed were the best tactics, a fortified and Empire would arise—and never fall.
In Gilgamesh’s case, for a kingdom to be powerful, its rulers shall be strict, having dominance towards the people. He didn’t care whether his people weren’t living pleasantly, as the ruler—example of the Empire was what he cared about most.
Protection through Architecture, though, was a technique used often by the great rulers of the past. As the fortified inner and outer walls of Uruk, stood the Great Wall of China.
It happened various times in the past, where one would arise and try to overthrow the current ruler. Enkidu, the man of wild and nature was created, and later he would try to overthrow Gilgamesh from the lead.
Yet this is where Fiction comes through. As it wouldn’t have happened in the past, the two great rivalries—Gilgamesh and Enkidu—fighting at first for power, ended in a friendly relationship.
Never in the past did enemies fighting for power forgave themselves, and suddenly became friendly, cause of one finally being defeated by the other. It was probably until death they fought.
Scientifically, we are still not sure whether the great Kingdoms of the past did communicate with the Gods. Until now, it could be believed as Fiction, as it sounds peculiar for people to have the ability to communicate directly with the Gods.
The Tablets of Gilgamesh are made both of—what some people could believe as—
Fiction and Non-Fiction.
This tale of Gilgamesh, it could have happened.
Leaders had different tactics to rule, hoping that for what they believed were the best tactics, a fortified and Empire would arise—and never fall.
In Gilgamesh’s case, for a kingdom to be powerful, its rulers shall be strict, having dominance towards the people. He didn’t care whether his people weren’t living pleasantly, as the ruler—example of the Empire was what he cared about most.
Protection through Architecture, though, was a technique used often by the great rulers of the past. As the fortified inner and outer walls of Uruk, stood the Great Wall of China.
It happened various times in the past, where one would arise and try to overthrow the current ruler. Enkidu, the man of wild and nature was created, and later he would try to overthrow Gilgamesh from the lead.
Yet this is where Fiction comes through. As it wouldn’t have happened in the past, the two great rivalries—Gilgamesh and Enkidu—fighting at first for power, ended in a friendly relationship.
Never in the past did enemies fighting for power forgave themselves, and suddenly became friendly, cause of one finally being defeated by the other. It was probably until death they fought.
Scientifically, we are still not sure whether the great Kingdoms of the past did communicate with the Gods. Until now, it could be believed as Fiction, as it sounds peculiar for people to have the ability to communicate directly with the Gods.
Entry 1 (Tablets 1-3)
Role of Women in the Tablets of Gilgamesh
Major effects within the Tablets happened because of the causes and actions taken by women. Enkidu, who at first was a wild and nature-belonging male, turned to become a knowledgeable man, belonging to a civilization, just because Shamhat, the temple prostitute, convinced him to fall for her. Without Shamhat, Enkidu wouldn’t have thought of going towards Uruk, towards civilization, to eventually fight for power versus Gilgamesh.
When the King Gilgamesh told his mother about the dream, he didn’t think whether the interpretation was to be wrong, and thought acceptable of what his mother finally said.
The interpretation can be told to be though, wrong, as what this woman had predicted was mostly positive. Never did she imagine that there were chances as well, for the meteor her son couldn’t lift to be a ruler, another man, whose dominance could be bigger. Therefore, for what he was told, Gilgamesh never imagine too, that the meteor fallen from the skies was mostly his competition. Thinking it was a present from the Gods, he didn’t prepare for what might be a dangerous arrival.
Major effects within the Tablets happened because of the causes and actions taken by women. Enkidu, who at first was a wild and nature-belonging male, turned to become a knowledgeable man, belonging to a civilization, just because Shamhat, the temple prostitute, convinced him to fall for her. Without Shamhat, Enkidu wouldn’t have thought of going towards Uruk, towards civilization, to eventually fight for power versus Gilgamesh.
When the King Gilgamesh told his mother about the dream, he didn’t think whether the interpretation was to be wrong, and thought acceptable of what his mother finally said.
The interpretation can be told to be though, wrong, as what this woman had predicted was mostly positive. Never did she imagine that there were chances as well, for the meteor her son couldn’t lift to be a ruler, another man, whose dominance could be bigger. Therefore, for what he was told, Gilgamesh never imagine too, that the meteor fallen from the skies was mostly his competition. Thinking it was a present from the Gods, he didn’t prepare for what might be a dangerous arrival.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Welcome!
This blog was created for our AP English class to discuss the books we will be reading this year. There is not much information yet, as the only thing we've read until now is Ishmael, but there will sure be lots in a while, as the 1st thing we are reading are myths, and I'm pretty sure it'll be easy to open a discussion about them. We are currently reading Gilgamesh.
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