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The Epic of Gilgamesh

The original epic.

  • Course Length: 3 weeks
  • Course Type: Short Course
  • Category:
    • English
    • Literature
    • High School

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The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest story in the Western world. Once more, for emphasis: The. Oldest. Story. In. The. Western. World.

And you know what? It holds up.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is to ancient literature what Indiana Jones is to archeologists. You think they're going to be all fusty and academic, but—lo and behold!—they're sexy, violent, adventurous, witty, and not afraid of crawling into dark caves. (Note: Indy looks better in a hat than Gilgamesh.)

In this course, you'll get readings, activities, quizzes, lessons, and more Common Core than you can shake a stick at:

  • We'll be your guide through ancient Mesopotamia.
  • We'll give you extra insight into all the various and deranged characters. 
  • We'll think about themes that have trickled down from Gilgamesh to Great Expectations to Game of Thrones: death, friendship, sex, understanding, fear, pride, perseverance, and more.

And much more.

It's nice to know that humanity has been interested in pretty much the same stuff since the beginning of recorded storytelling, huh?

Unit Breakdown

1 The Epic of Gilgamesh - The Epic of Gilgamesh

In this unit, you'll read The Epic of Gilgamesh in all its beasty glory. You'll tackle everything from themes, symbols, and characters to setting, tone, and writing style—it's gonna be epic.


Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.02: Man vs. Wild

Enkidu, looking sharp.
(Source)

Meet Enkidu: He's two-thirds beast and one-third man...and in order to meet Gilgamesh, he needs to be civilized—and Gilgamesh has a kind of odd recipe for civilization. It goes like this:

  • take 1 two-thirds man, one-third beast;
  • add six days and seven nights of gettin' it on;
  • toss in some clothes;
  • mix in food and lots of beer;
  • add a bath and some body oil for that silky-smooth feel....

...and voilà!

So what happens when a one-third man, two-thirds beast meets a one-third man, two-thirds god—and a cocky one at that? Do they bond over the fact that they're both human or do they rip each other to shreds?

You're about to find out.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.02: Chapter/Tablet 2

Next up: Chapter/Tablet 2. If you feel like running away with some wolves and forming a cozy wolf pack, we'll bring you back to civilization over at our chapter summary.

Sample Lesson - Activity

Activity 1.02a: History vs. Mystery, Part Deux

Before we get into man vs. beast vs. god we're going to ponder the first major question of The Epic of Gilgamesh: Why was Gilgamesh such a jerk?

  1. How does your understanding of The Epic of Gilgamesh so far change knowing that Gilgamesh was a real guy?

  2. Does Gilgamesh being a literary scuzbag influence your idea of the real-life Gilgamesh? You probably didn't have any opinions about real-life Gilgamesh before starting this epic, but do you now? Would you give him the benefit of the doubt or trust the source?

  3. Do literary Gilgamesh's jerky characteristics do anything to drive the plot so far? How?

  4. What might these bad boy characteristics say about the public opinion of the real-life Gilgamesh?

Expository Writing Rubric - 25 Points

OutstandingProficientDevelopingNeeds Improvement
Evidence / Support

All support is clearly and logically connected to the topic. Examples, evidence, and details are thorough and relevant with effective explanation.

(10)

All support about the main topic is relevant. Examples, evidence, and details are explained.

(9)

Most support is related to the topic. Examples, evidence, or details are given.

(8)

Insufficient examples, evidence, or details. Support may be irrelevant.

(7)
Content Understanding

All content is accurate and analysis is interesting and sophisticated.

(10)

All content is accurate.

(9)

May contain minor errors.

(8)

Major errors.

(7)
Style

Language is clear and interesting. Enhances presentation of information. No errors.

(5)

Language is clear and appropriate to topic. Minor spelling or grammatical errors.

(4)

Language is occasionally unclear, but meaning is generally understandable. Frequent spelling/grammar errors that do not impede comprehension.

(4)

Language use makes writing very difficult to understand. Frequent spelling or grammar errors that impede comprehension.

(3)

Sample Lesson - Activity

Activity 1.02b: Where The Wild Things Are

According to The Epic of Gilgamesh, the major civilizing factors in the world are sex, clothes, food, drink, and bathing.

We're assuming you already do…uh…most of those things, so we're not gonna try to "civilize" you, Enkidu style. Instead, we want you to come up with your own list of what it means to be "civilized."

  1. Choose 5 things that you think make someone "civilized" in today's society.

  2. Now look at your list and at Gilgamesh's list. How do they compare? Jot down some notes as you think about what these different lists can tell us about the different societies.

Participation Only Rubric - 10 Points

OutstandingNeeds Improvement
Quality of Participation

Student did the assignment as instructed. 

(10)

Student only did part of the activity or assignment.

(5)

Sample Lesson - Activity

  1. What does Shamhat give to Enkidu?

  2. Who does Shamhat take Enkidu to meet?

  3. What does Enkidu get to drink?

  4. What does Enkidu do after eating and drinking?

  5. What favor does Enkidu do for his hosts?

  6. What occasion is occurring in Uruk?

  7. What do Enkidu and Gilgamesh do when they meet?

  8. What happens after Enkidu and Gilgamesh meet for real?

  9. What does Gilgamesh want to do with Enkidu's assistance?

  10. What do the wise men of Uruk say to Gilgamesh about his plan?