Summary:
In scene 1 opens with two gravediggers preparing the grave for Ophelia and thay are talking about if she really deserves a Christain funeral. Then Hamlet and Horatio show up and Hamlet goes to talk to one of the men because they are singing while they dig, he finds this extremely unappropriate. When they are talking the man starts talking about Hamlet, not knowing that it is he who he's talking to. Then the king, queen, and Laertes show up; when Laertes dives into the grave Hamlet comes forward and they start fighting because no one believes that Hamlet really loved Ophelia.
In scene 2 we find out that Hamlet opened the letter from the king that said Hamlet was to be killed immediately. After he read it he wrote a new one to be delievered. Then a messenger Osric shows up to tell Hamlet about a bet and in the process praise Laertes. Hamlet accepts the bet, but both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded with poison on the sword and the queen is poisoned with a drink meant for Hamlet. Once Hamlet figures out whats going on he forces the king to drink, and he also dies. So Colonius, Gertrude, Hamlet, and Laertes all die and Horatio is left to tell the story.
Questions:
Yes, Hamlet did love Ophelia.
Yes, the Queen did know.
Ophelia kills herself because she has great greif over everything in her life. She can't have a proper burial because her death was suspicious and could have been suicide.
Hamlet is mad indeed and not pretending.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Act 4 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 not very much happens, Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Poloinous then Rosencratz and Guildenstern go to get Hamlet and the dead body to bring them to the chapel.
In scene 2 Rosencratz and Guildenstern find Hamlet but he refuses to give them the body, then Hamlet calls them sponges to the king (they seek information for him then he squeezes them dry) and fools.
In scene 3 Hamlet talks to Claudius and is told he has no choice but to go to England, and Hamlet doesn't really put up much of a fight. In a strange way he tells Claudius that he is his mother, because when man and wife marry they become one flesh. Then at the end of the scene we hear Claudius confess that he is going to have Hamlet killed in England.
In scene 4 Hamlet has a conversation with a captain of the army of Norway as they are on their way through Denmark to invade Poland. Hamlet talks about how everything in anyones life has a core of evil and that if he doesn't see the evil in a thought that its not worth a moment of his time.
In scene 5 Ophelia sings a song to the king and queen and it is very obvious that she has lost her mind. When Claudius is complaing to his wife that is when Laertes and a mob come in, because they all believe that he should be kind, not Claudius. However Claudius calms Laertes down somewhat enough to an agreement that he will listen to Cladius's story before seeking revenge.
In scene 6 Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying that he is a prisinor on a pirate ship, he says to show these letters to the king and to come save him.
In scene 7 Claudius tells Laertes that he is completely innocent and that the death of his father is all Hamlet's fault and the only reason he hasn't killed Hamlet is because his mother and the public loves him. They decide that they want to trick Hamlet into his own death, by setting up a fencing between the two when he gets back. Then Gertrude comes in and tells them that Ophelia has drowned.
Soliloques':
All of Hamlet's soliloques are very significant because they let us hear what is going on inside his mind. Some people wonder if Hamlet really is mad or if he just wants everyone to think that he is. I think the soliloques' show us that he is not pretending, because it shows us not only what he says to other people, but what is going on in his own head.
Ophelia:
After Polonius dies Ophelia seems to loose her mind, her song she sings to the queen is all about love. Then she presents the characters with flowers-
Rosemary--remembrance, to Laertes: (remeber their father)
Pansies--thoughts, also to Laertes (they must be strong in their minds and hearts to get through the loss)
Fennel--flattery, to King (Because no one except Hamlet ever speaks a bad word about him)
Columbines--thankfulness, to Queen (she should be thankful for the love in her life)
Rue--sorrow, also to Queen (she shouldn't forget the hearache of her lost love)
Daisy--a warning to women who are too easily persuaded to love, to Gertrude (she married her dead husbands brother)
Violets--faithfulness, cannot give--explanation toward Horatio (they all died with the death of her father)
In scene 1 not very much happens, Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Poloinous then Rosencratz and Guildenstern go to get Hamlet and the dead body to bring them to the chapel.
In scene 2 Rosencratz and Guildenstern find Hamlet but he refuses to give them the body, then Hamlet calls them sponges to the king (they seek information for him then he squeezes them dry) and fools.
In scene 3 Hamlet talks to Claudius and is told he has no choice but to go to England, and Hamlet doesn't really put up much of a fight. In a strange way he tells Claudius that he is his mother, because when man and wife marry they become one flesh. Then at the end of the scene we hear Claudius confess that he is going to have Hamlet killed in England.
In scene 4 Hamlet has a conversation with a captain of the army of Norway as they are on their way through Denmark to invade Poland. Hamlet talks about how everything in anyones life has a core of evil and that if he doesn't see the evil in a thought that its not worth a moment of his time.
In scene 5 Ophelia sings a song to the king and queen and it is very obvious that she has lost her mind. When Claudius is complaing to his wife that is when Laertes and a mob come in, because they all believe that he should be kind, not Claudius. However Claudius calms Laertes down somewhat enough to an agreement that he will listen to Cladius's story before seeking revenge.
In scene 6 Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying that he is a prisinor on a pirate ship, he says to show these letters to the king and to come save him.
In scene 7 Claudius tells Laertes that he is completely innocent and that the death of his father is all Hamlet's fault and the only reason he hasn't killed Hamlet is because his mother and the public loves him. They decide that they want to trick Hamlet into his own death, by setting up a fencing between the two when he gets back. Then Gertrude comes in and tells them that Ophelia has drowned.
Soliloques':
All of Hamlet's soliloques are very significant because they let us hear what is going on inside his mind. Some people wonder if Hamlet really is mad or if he just wants everyone to think that he is. I think the soliloques' show us that he is not pretending, because it shows us not only what he says to other people, but what is going on in his own head.
Ophelia:
After Polonius dies Ophelia seems to loose her mind, her song she sings to the queen is all about love. Then she presents the characters with flowers-
Rosemary--remembrance, to Laertes: (remeber their father)
Pansies--thoughts, also to Laertes (they must be strong in their minds and hearts to get through the loss)
Fennel--flattery, to King (Because no one except Hamlet ever speaks a bad word about him)
Columbines--thankfulness, to Queen (she should be thankful for the love in her life)
Rue--sorrow, also to Queen (she shouldn't forget the hearache of her lost love)
Daisy--a warning to women who are too easily persuaded to love, to Gertrude (she married her dead husbands brother)
Violets--faithfulness, cannot give--explanation toward Horatio (they all died with the death of her father)
Act 3 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 Claudius and Polonius put there plan into action by leaving Ophelia alone and spying to see how Hamlet reacts to being around her. Hamlet talks about the rights and wrongs of death and living a life you don't want to. Then he tells Ophelia that he doesn't love her and that all women are heartless whores.
In scene 2 the players preform a play that strangely relates to Hamlet's mother and father. But in the middle of the play, when they start talking about the king being killed by poison in his ears Claudius runs out. When Hamlet is talking to his friends he receives word that his mom wants to chat with him soon.
In scene 3 Claudius is praying and confessing his sins when Hamlet walks in ready with his sword to kill him, but then he realizes that if he dies at this moment he will be sent to heaven, so he decided to wait until Claudius is doing something completely sinful then kill him before he has a chance to ask for forgiveness, just like his father died.
In scene 4 when Hamlet goes to talk to his mother he notices that Polinious is behind the tapestry and kills him with his sword. Then once Hamlet starts giving his mother hell the ghost appears and Hamlet realizes that his mother cannot see him. Then in the end Hamlet asks his mother to stay way from his uncles bed tonight and not to fall into his trap because once you say no once, it becomes easier the next time and the next and the next.
Themes:
Redemption Questions-
1. King Hamlet was murdered and he never got a chance to confess his sins.
2. Because Claudius is praying and begging for mercy, if Hamlet kills him now then he will go to heaven, he wants him to die while he's living a sin and has no chance to ask for forgiveness.
Examples-
Friendship/Loyalty- Hamlets friends are going with him to England
Revenge- Hamlet plans to kill Claudius.
Regret- Gertrude's obvious pain when Hamlet is confronting her.
Betrayal- During the play when the wife makes her promise to her husband (relates to Hamlet's parents)
In scene 1 Claudius and Polonius put there plan into action by leaving Ophelia alone and spying to see how Hamlet reacts to being around her. Hamlet talks about the rights and wrongs of death and living a life you don't want to. Then he tells Ophelia that he doesn't love her and that all women are heartless whores.
In scene 2 the players preform a play that strangely relates to Hamlet's mother and father. But in the middle of the play, when they start talking about the king being killed by poison in his ears Claudius runs out. When Hamlet is talking to his friends he receives word that his mom wants to chat with him soon.
In scene 3 Claudius is praying and confessing his sins when Hamlet walks in ready with his sword to kill him, but then he realizes that if he dies at this moment he will be sent to heaven, so he decided to wait until Claudius is doing something completely sinful then kill him before he has a chance to ask for forgiveness, just like his father died.
In scene 4 when Hamlet goes to talk to his mother he notices that Polinious is behind the tapestry and kills him with his sword. Then once Hamlet starts giving his mother hell the ghost appears and Hamlet realizes that his mother cannot see him. Then in the end Hamlet asks his mother to stay way from his uncles bed tonight and not to fall into his trap because once you say no once, it becomes easier the next time and the next and the next.
Themes:
Redemption Questions-
1. King Hamlet was murdered and he never got a chance to confess his sins.
2. Because Claudius is praying and begging for mercy, if Hamlet kills him now then he will go to heaven, he wants him to die while he's living a sin and has no chance to ask for forgiveness.
Examples-
Friendship/Loyalty- Hamlets friends are going with him to England
Revenge- Hamlet plans to kill Claudius.
Regret- Gertrude's obvious pain when Hamlet is confronting her.
Betrayal- During the play when the wife makes her promise to her husband (relates to Hamlet's parents)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Act 2 Notes
Summary:
In scene 1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to talk to some people about his son. He wants him to say he barely knows him but has heard of some of the sins he has commited while he has been in Paris. After Reynaldo leaves Ophelia comes in and tells her father that Hamlet was just in her room and she thinks he is crazy in love with her. Then they go see the king.
In scene 2 it begins with the king and queen asking Hamlets old friends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to try and figure out what has changed Hamlet. Then Polonius goes to talk to Gertrude and Claudius to tell them that Hamlet lost his mind when Ophelia rejected his love and thats why he's crazy. When Polonuis talks to Hamlet he realizes just how crazy he is but Hamlet has no idea that it is Ophelia's father he's talking to. Then Hamlet starts talking to his old friends, one of the first things that he admits to them is that his home is like a prison to him. When the actors come Hamlet requests a specific speech that he once heard about. Then they decide that the next night they actors will preform The Murder of Gonzago.
Love or Game:
I think Hamlet's emotions towards Ophelia right now are more complex than "real or fake" after all this is not the only thing going on in his life right now. A theory of mine is that Hamlet had slight feelings for Ophelia before and ever since his fathers death, he's wanted something or someone else to focus on and think about and that is what deepened his feelings and actions towards her. So I do not think he is playing her I think he is just making himself seem more caught up in her than he really is, he may even beleive this lie himself. I don't think Hamlet is crazy, I think he is just trying to put off some things that he needs to sort through.
Themes:
Loyalty- (Hamlet guilts his friends into the reason they were sent here)
Respect- (For the actors)
In scene 1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to talk to some people about his son. He wants him to say he barely knows him but has heard of some of the sins he has commited while he has been in Paris. After Reynaldo leaves Ophelia comes in and tells her father that Hamlet was just in her room and she thinks he is crazy in love with her. Then they go see the king.
In scene 2 it begins with the king and queen asking Hamlets old friends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to try and figure out what has changed Hamlet. Then Polonius goes to talk to Gertrude and Claudius to tell them that Hamlet lost his mind when Ophelia rejected his love and thats why he's crazy. When Polonuis talks to Hamlet he realizes just how crazy he is but Hamlet has no idea that it is Ophelia's father he's talking to. Then Hamlet starts talking to his old friends, one of the first things that he admits to them is that his home is like a prison to him. When the actors come Hamlet requests a specific speech that he once heard about. Then they decide that the next night they actors will preform The Murder of Gonzago.
Love or Game:
I think Hamlet's emotions towards Ophelia right now are more complex than "real or fake" after all this is not the only thing going on in his life right now. A theory of mine is that Hamlet had slight feelings for Ophelia before and ever since his fathers death, he's wanted something or someone else to focus on and think about and that is what deepened his feelings and actions towards her. So I do not think he is playing her I think he is just making himself seem more caught up in her than he really is, he may even beleive this lie himself. I don't think Hamlet is crazy, I think he is just trying to put off some things that he needs to sort through.
Themes:
Loyalty- (Hamlet guilts his friends into the reason they were sent here)
Respect- (For the actors)
Act 1 Notes
Summary:
In act 1, Bernardo, Francisco, and Horatio are on guard. Bernardo and Francisco had previously seen a ghost, but Horatio did not believe them. He said he would have to see it with his own eyes. Then... HE DID!!~ They try to talk to the ghost, but he doesn't respond. The next night, they try to talk to it again and as the ghost is about to respond, a rooster crows and he disappears. The next night, he appears again and they try to attack it, but their attempts are worthless.
In scene 2, we meet King Claudius and Queen Gertrude and they are talking about how they need to have the Danish as allies, so they send Voltemond and Cornelius. The king then asks Hamlet if he is still mad about his father's death and not being able to go back to the university. Hamlet says, no I'm all sunshine. Then, the Queen asks why he looks so crappy if he is really that happy. He basically says that he just likes to dress in black. Then everyone leaves but Hamlet and he stays and talks about how he wants to say something about his mom and uncle's marriage, but can't. The three soldiers from scene 1 then enter and tell him about the ghost that looks strangely like his father. He says he will meet them that night to talk to the ghost.
In scene 3, Ophelia and Laertes are talking about how Hamlet was passing Ophelia some love tokens. Laertes warns Ophelia that she should be careful because Hamlet, being a government official, must do what the people say. Then Polonius, their father comes in and basically says that Laertes needs to catch is plane to France. Then, Laertes tells Ophelia to keep it secret until he gets back and Ophelia promises, but then as soon as he leaves, spills the beans to Polonius. Polonius says don't mess around with that bloke and so she says ok, I will obey.
In scene 4, Hamlet and his peeps are waiting for the ghost. Then the ghost wants Hamlet to go off with him and the soldiers tell him not to, but he goes anyway. They follow at a distance.
In scene 5, Hamlet talks to the ghost, who is the spirit of his father, the ghost basically says that he was murdered by poison in his ear that clotted his blood. He asks Hamlet to avenge his death. We also learn that he never was able to confess his sins due to the fact that he was murdered. When Hamlet goes back and sees that the solders followed him, he makes them swear on his sword that they will not tell anyone that they saw the ghost.
Soliloquy:
The soliloquy on pg 29 is basically Hamlet talking about how much he hates his life and about how screwed up his family is. Considerin he has an Uncle Father and a Mother Aunt.
Machiavellianism:
The type of government that is demonstrated in Machiavelli's novel The Prince. It basically says that honesty and morality does not matter, I take it as kind of an "every man for himself" type of thing. I think this fits in with Claudius, because in my eyes marrying the widow of your dead brother is not exactly an "honorable" thing to do.
Themes:
Family loyalty (king & queen marriage; brother & sister share secret; fater orders daughter; dead father & son)
Forbidden love (Hamlet & Ophelia)
In act 1, Bernardo, Francisco, and Horatio are on guard. Bernardo and Francisco had previously seen a ghost, but Horatio did not believe them. He said he would have to see it with his own eyes. Then... HE DID!!~ They try to talk to the ghost, but he doesn't respond. The next night, they try to talk to it again and as the ghost is about to respond, a rooster crows and he disappears. The next night, he appears again and they try to attack it, but their attempts are worthless.
In scene 2, we meet King Claudius and Queen Gertrude and they are talking about how they need to have the Danish as allies, so they send Voltemond and Cornelius. The king then asks Hamlet if he is still mad about his father's death and not being able to go back to the university. Hamlet says, no I'm all sunshine. Then, the Queen asks why he looks so crappy if he is really that happy. He basically says that he just likes to dress in black. Then everyone leaves but Hamlet and he stays and talks about how he wants to say something about his mom and uncle's marriage, but can't. The three soldiers from scene 1 then enter and tell him about the ghost that looks strangely like his father. He says he will meet them that night to talk to the ghost.
In scene 3, Ophelia and Laertes are talking about how Hamlet was passing Ophelia some love tokens. Laertes warns Ophelia that she should be careful because Hamlet, being a government official, must do what the people say. Then Polonius, their father comes in and basically says that Laertes needs to catch is plane to France. Then, Laertes tells Ophelia to keep it secret until he gets back and Ophelia promises, but then as soon as he leaves, spills the beans to Polonius. Polonius says don't mess around with that bloke and so she says ok, I will obey.
In scene 4, Hamlet and his peeps are waiting for the ghost. Then the ghost wants Hamlet to go off with him and the soldiers tell him not to, but he goes anyway. They follow at a distance.
In scene 5, Hamlet talks to the ghost, who is the spirit of his father, the ghost basically says that he was murdered by poison in his ear that clotted his blood. He asks Hamlet to avenge his death. We also learn that he never was able to confess his sins due to the fact that he was murdered. When Hamlet goes back and sees that the solders followed him, he makes them swear on his sword that they will not tell anyone that they saw the ghost.
Soliloquy:
The soliloquy on pg 29 is basically Hamlet talking about how much he hates his life and about how screwed up his family is. Considerin he has an Uncle Father and a Mother Aunt.
Machiavellianism:
The type of government that is demonstrated in Machiavelli's novel The Prince. It basically says that honesty and morality does not matter, I take it as kind of an "every man for himself" type of thing. I think this fits in with Claudius, because in my eyes marrying the widow of your dead brother is not exactly an "honorable" thing to do.
Themes:
Family loyalty (king & queen marriage; brother & sister share secret; fater orders daughter; dead father & son)
Forbidden love (Hamlet & Ophelia)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Quotes-Gilgamesh
1. Good vs Evil- "Humbaba said, 'Enkidu, what you have spoken is evil: you, a hireling, dependent for you bread! In envy and for fear of a rival you have spoken evil words."' (83).
2. The hero's companion- In this story I strongly believe the hero is Gilgamesh and it is very obvious that Enkidu is his companion, after all they even preform a ritual to make themselves blood brothers. "Let Enkidu protect his friend, and guard his companion, and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road" (76). This is a quote from Ninsun, before Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out on their journey to defeat Humbaba. Not only does this quote flat out say that they are companions but it shows how much love they show for each other, after all they want to protect one another. This is a very brotherly and emotional feeling for both of them, because they have never had anyone who they felt so connected to. My theory is that they feel this way because they were created as equals. Gilgamesh has always seen himself as more powerful and stronger than everyone in his life up until this point. Now he has someone he can connect to because he doesn't feel superior to them. For Enkidu he also has never had someone he could connect with. After all up until he met Gilgamesh and learned the ways of a civilized life he had lived among the animals. He was also created to be strong and powerful, so just like Gilgamesh, even if he had been among humans he wouldn't have felt normal. We tend to connect with people we feel equal with, after all no one really wants a strong bond with someone who acts superior or inferior to them, I strongly believe that is why these two create such an insperatable bond. When Enkidu dies it tears Gilgamesh apart, it almost makes him become animal like. "He began to rage like a lion, like a lioness robed of her whelps" (95). When Enkidu dies Gilgamesh feels like he has lost a part of himself more than anything. Not just a friend, but his strongest companion and brother.
3. Love- "Then she placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck, and she said to him 'I entrust my son to you; bring him back to me safely.'" (75).
4. Loss of innocence- "Enkidu was grown weak, for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart" (63).
5. View of the after life- "Then he called to Gilgamesh, 'My friend, the great goddess cursed me and now I must die in shame. I shall not die like a man fallen in battle; I feared to fall, but happy is the man who falls in the battle, for I must die in shame'" (93)
6. Legacy- "Then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation through the land, he summond them all, the coppersmiths, the goldsmiths, the stone-workers, and commanded them, 'Make a statue of my friend'" (96).
2. The hero's companion- In this story I strongly believe the hero is Gilgamesh and it is very obvious that Enkidu is his companion, after all they even preform a ritual to make themselves blood brothers. "Let Enkidu protect his friend, and guard his companion, and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road" (76). This is a quote from Ninsun, before Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out on their journey to defeat Humbaba. Not only does this quote flat out say that they are companions but it shows how much love they show for each other, after all they want to protect one another. This is a very brotherly and emotional feeling for both of them, because they have never had anyone who they felt so connected to. My theory is that they feel this way because they were created as equals. Gilgamesh has always seen himself as more powerful and stronger than everyone in his life up until this point. Now he has someone he can connect to because he doesn't feel superior to them. For Enkidu he also has never had someone he could connect with. After all up until he met Gilgamesh and learned the ways of a civilized life he had lived among the animals. He was also created to be strong and powerful, so just like Gilgamesh, even if he had been among humans he wouldn't have felt normal. We tend to connect with people we feel equal with, after all no one really wants a strong bond with someone who acts superior or inferior to them, I strongly believe that is why these two create such an insperatable bond. When Enkidu dies it tears Gilgamesh apart, it almost makes him become animal like. "He began to rage like a lion, like a lioness robed of her whelps" (95). When Enkidu dies Gilgamesh feels like he has lost a part of himself more than anything. Not just a friend, but his strongest companion and brother.
3. Love- "Then she placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck, and she said to him 'I entrust my son to you; bring him back to me safely.'" (75).
4. Loss of innocence- "Enkidu was grown weak, for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart" (63).
5. View of the after life- "Then he called to Gilgamesh, 'My friend, the great goddess cursed me and now I must die in shame. I shall not die like a man fallen in battle; I feared to fall, but happy is the man who falls in the battle, for I must die in shame'" (93)
6. Legacy- "Then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation through the land, he summond them all, the coppersmiths, the goldsmiths, the stone-workers, and commanded them, 'Make a statue of my friend'" (96).
Literary Archetypes-Gilgamesh
1. Hero: Gilgamesh.
It is very obvious in this story that Gilgamesh is the hero, after all he is the prominant character in the story and really the only one that we follow throughout the whole novel. It says in the discription of the hero that they should reflect the views of their society, obviously this is true with Gilgamesh because he is the King of Uruk, therefore his views and his opinions ultimately become the law, or at least the way things are done. Even though in the beginning of the book people don't agree with his views at all. It also says that the hero should be god-directed which can be true with Gilgamesh, after all he is 2/3 God. The hero is suppose to save the society from something I believe ultimately in this story he saves them from himself through a personal journey.
2. Wise Fool: Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim is the only mortal who has ever been granted immortality, which is why Gilgamesh seeks him out, he wants to achieve what Utnapishtim did. Ea instructed him to tear down his house so he could build a boat big enough to take all of his belongings and loved ones along with him so they didn't die in the flood that Enlil was going to make happen. After the horrible storm Enlil thought he had killed all of mankind, then he realized that because of Ea Utnapishtim has survived, however Eat defended himself because he did it through a dream. "It was not I that revealed the secret of the gods; the wise man learned it in a dream" (113). This quotation makes it very obvious that he is the wise fool. Obviously there were people who thought he was crazy when he talked about the great flood that the gods were planning, which made him seem foolish, but really he was the wisest of them all. This is how he was granted immortality.
3. Devil Figure: Humbaba.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to destory Humbaba because they believe he is evil, which shows us that he is the devil figure in this book. "When he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself" (71). During the whole time when they are trying to defet him Gilgamesh is praying to the gods for help and wisdom on how to defet this monster. When it comes down to it they never had an actual reason that triggered them to go after him, other than its power. He is said to be extremely strong and indistructable. Gilgamesh wants to be the biggest, strongest, and most powerful. So I believe that is the real reason that he wants to kill him, its a power struggle for him more than anything else.
4. Outcast: Enkidu.
Enkidu use to be accepted by the creatures of the wild, he was one of them, he ran with the gazzel and was one of the animals. Then one day a hunter brought a prostitute to tempt Enkidu and weaken him by showing him the love of a woman. Once they laid together for 6 days and 7 nights he was finally satisfied and tried to return to the animals, but they shunned him. Even if they hadn't he realized he couldn't run as swiftly and had been weakened all together, he has been changed. This is where Enkidu is shown as the outcast. He use to feel like the only place he could possibly fit in was running wild and free with the animals and when that was taken away from him he didn't really know where to go and who to become. Luckily the prostitue took him back to Uruk and introduced him to Gilgamesh, where a brotherhood was born.
5. Double: Gilgamesh.
I believe that this story is not only a search for immortality, even though thats what we think throughout the whole book. I think ultimately it is a journey for Gilgamesh to change his values, behavior, and ultimately himself. In the beginning no one in his kingdom thinks he is doing good, they all see him as hurting the city more than helping it. I see the story a lot as a change from evil to good, because in the end of the book he wants to be a good king and treat the people of his city much better, he wants to leave a better legacy for himself than the one he has began. So because of this I see him as the double, because you get to see two sides of him, good in the end and evil in the beginning.
6. Scapegoat: Enkidu.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight for what they strongly believe in when they kill Humbaba and then the Bull of Heaven. They do it because they feel it's right and they strongly believe it is for the best. However the gods decide that their actions cannot go unpunished. They cannot kill Gilgamesh because he is the king and he is 2/3 god. So they use Enkidu as kind of a sacrafice for what they have done. These two are equally powerful and strong, after all Enkidu was made to be Gilgamesh's equal and someone so powerful is obviously going to be seen as a threat, its not natural. In the discription it says that they are suppose to be slightly different, even though they give religions, this is true for Enkidu because he wasn't raised like everyone else, he use to be a man of the wild.
7. Temptress- Prostitute.
I see this as an extremely obvious one, after all in the beginning of the book it is her job to tempt Enkidu and bring him to her. The discription says she is to be seductive and beautiful, obviously she does a pretty good job at seducing him. Also it says she brings distruction to someone. Even though it brings him to good things (like Gilgamesh) she does destroy him in a way. She creates something new in his place but destroys what use to be there. A wild and free man with no limits who never new society into someone who now knows the love of a woman, the satisfaction of good food and wine, and the friendship of a soul mate, Gilgamesh.
8. Good Mother- Ninsun.
Ninsun is a very nurturing and loving woman in this book, after all Enkidu is not her son but she considers him one because of the friendship he has made with her son. "Strong Enkidu you are not a child of my body, but I will recieve you as my adopted son; you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple" (75). In this part of the story she is saying that even though she is not biologically his mother she will treat him as a son, not something just anyone would do. Being welcoming would almost be enough in this situation, but she goes a step beyond that here. She doesn't settle with just saying that he can feel safe there but that he can feel part of the family there, something that he never had, something that because of her loving nature she is willing to provide for him.
It is very obvious in this story that Gilgamesh is the hero, after all he is the prominant character in the story and really the only one that we follow throughout the whole novel. It says in the discription of the hero that they should reflect the views of their society, obviously this is true with Gilgamesh because he is the King of Uruk, therefore his views and his opinions ultimately become the law, or at least the way things are done. Even though in the beginning of the book people don't agree with his views at all. It also says that the hero should be god-directed which can be true with Gilgamesh, after all he is 2/3 God. The hero is suppose to save the society from something I believe ultimately in this story he saves them from himself through a personal journey.
2. Wise Fool: Utnapishtim.
Utnapishtim is the only mortal who has ever been granted immortality, which is why Gilgamesh seeks him out, he wants to achieve what Utnapishtim did. Ea instructed him to tear down his house so he could build a boat big enough to take all of his belongings and loved ones along with him so they didn't die in the flood that Enlil was going to make happen. After the horrible storm Enlil thought he had killed all of mankind, then he realized that because of Ea Utnapishtim has survived, however Eat defended himself because he did it through a dream. "It was not I that revealed the secret of the gods; the wise man learned it in a dream" (113). This quotation makes it very obvious that he is the wise fool. Obviously there were people who thought he was crazy when he talked about the great flood that the gods were planning, which made him seem foolish, but really he was the wisest of them all. This is how he was granted immortality.
3. Devil Figure: Humbaba.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to destory Humbaba because they believe he is evil, which shows us that he is the devil figure in this book. "When he roars it is like the torrent of the storm, his breath is like fire, and his jaws are death itself" (71). During the whole time when they are trying to defet him Gilgamesh is praying to the gods for help and wisdom on how to defet this monster. When it comes down to it they never had an actual reason that triggered them to go after him, other than its power. He is said to be extremely strong and indistructable. Gilgamesh wants to be the biggest, strongest, and most powerful. So I believe that is the real reason that he wants to kill him, its a power struggle for him more than anything else.
4. Outcast: Enkidu.
Enkidu use to be accepted by the creatures of the wild, he was one of them, he ran with the gazzel and was one of the animals. Then one day a hunter brought a prostitute to tempt Enkidu and weaken him by showing him the love of a woman. Once they laid together for 6 days and 7 nights he was finally satisfied and tried to return to the animals, but they shunned him. Even if they hadn't he realized he couldn't run as swiftly and had been weakened all together, he has been changed. This is where Enkidu is shown as the outcast. He use to feel like the only place he could possibly fit in was running wild and free with the animals and when that was taken away from him he didn't really know where to go and who to become. Luckily the prostitue took him back to Uruk and introduced him to Gilgamesh, where a brotherhood was born.
5. Double: Gilgamesh.
I believe that this story is not only a search for immortality, even though thats what we think throughout the whole book. I think ultimately it is a journey for Gilgamesh to change his values, behavior, and ultimately himself. In the beginning no one in his kingdom thinks he is doing good, they all see him as hurting the city more than helping it. I see the story a lot as a change from evil to good, because in the end of the book he wants to be a good king and treat the people of his city much better, he wants to leave a better legacy for himself than the one he has began. So because of this I see him as the double, because you get to see two sides of him, good in the end and evil in the beginning.
6. Scapegoat: Enkidu.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight for what they strongly believe in when they kill Humbaba and then the Bull of Heaven. They do it because they feel it's right and they strongly believe it is for the best. However the gods decide that their actions cannot go unpunished. They cannot kill Gilgamesh because he is the king and he is 2/3 god. So they use Enkidu as kind of a sacrafice for what they have done. These two are equally powerful and strong, after all Enkidu was made to be Gilgamesh's equal and someone so powerful is obviously going to be seen as a threat, its not natural. In the discription it says that they are suppose to be slightly different, even though they give religions, this is true for Enkidu because he wasn't raised like everyone else, he use to be a man of the wild.
7. Temptress- Prostitute.
I see this as an extremely obvious one, after all in the beginning of the book it is her job to tempt Enkidu and bring him to her. The discription says she is to be seductive and beautiful, obviously she does a pretty good job at seducing him. Also it says she brings distruction to someone. Even though it brings him to good things (like Gilgamesh) she does destroy him in a way. She creates something new in his place but destroys what use to be there. A wild and free man with no limits who never new society into someone who now knows the love of a woman, the satisfaction of good food and wine, and the friendship of a soul mate, Gilgamesh.
8. Good Mother- Ninsun.
Ninsun is a very nurturing and loving woman in this book, after all Enkidu is not her son but she considers him one because of the friendship he has made with her son. "Strong Enkidu you are not a child of my body, but I will recieve you as my adopted son; you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple" (75). In this part of the story she is saying that even though she is not biologically his mother she will treat him as a son, not something just anyone would do. Being welcoming would almost be enough in this situation, but she goes a step beyond that here. She doesn't settle with just saying that he can feel safe there but that he can feel part of the family there, something that he never had, something that because of her loving nature she is willing to provide for him.
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