The Epic of Gilgamesh
by:
Anonymous (author)
Maureen Kovacs (author)
Since the discovery over one hundred years ago of a body of Mesopotamian poetry preserved on clay tablets, what has come to be known as the Epic of Gilgamesh has been considered a masterpiece of ancient literature. It recounts the deeds of a hero-king of ancient Mesopotamia, following him through...
show more
Since the discovery over one hundred years ago of a body of Mesopotamian poetry preserved on clay tablets, what has come to be known as the Epic of Gilgamesh has been considered a masterpiece of ancient literature. It recounts the deeds of a hero-king of ancient Mesopotamia, following him through adventures and encounters with men and gods alike. Yet the central concerns of the Epic lie deeper than the lively and exotic story line: they revolve around a man’s eternal struggle with the limitations of human nature, and encompass the basic human feelings of lonliness, friendship, love, loss, revenge, and the fear of oblivion of death. These themes are developed in a distinctly Mesopotamian idiom, to be sure, but with a sensitivity and intensity that touch the modern reader across the chasm of three thousand years. This translation presents the Epic to the general reader in a clear narrative.
show less
Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780804717113 (0804717117)
ASIN: 804717117
Publish date: August 1st 1989
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Pages no: 122
Edition language: English
Category:
Fantasy,
Classics,
Academic,
School,
Literature,
Epic,
Read For School,
Religion,
Poetry,
Ancient,
Mythology
Series: Penguin Epics (#1)
Fascinating. While reading The Literature Book, I learned The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest recorded story of all time. That prompted me to find a free online copy to read. Being a bookworm, I had to read the oldest story and see what it was like. It was like reading a story from the bible. Thoug...
It’s an ancient text so characterization and what not is vastly not what a modern reader is use to. That said, it is worth a read, and can be read rather quickly. Sanders seems to be correct because a reader who is familiar with the epics and heroes that come after can see the root here. It is, in s...
Part of the fascination of this book lies simply with reading one of the oldest surviving stories that goes back to the very beginning of civilization. I got these dates and comments regarding some of the earliest surviving written works from the Wiki: 800 BCE Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey 1440-14...
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a brief, albeit quite profound work of literature. In the interest of reading a translation as close to the original text as possible, I selected an edition translated by Maureen Gallery Kovacs, published by Stanford University Press in 1989. I'm aware of other translations ...
Need to reread, I feel that there are a lot thing I missed. Something reminded me of other mythology I had read, especially from Odyssey.