The Epic Of Gilgamesh | EssayIvy.com

Johnson 1

Thomas Johnson

Lancaster

English 230

22 September 2012

Dreams are recurrent in Gilgamesh and vitally important. They serve as a vehicle of

communication between gods and mortals, anticipating events symbolically but accurately. What

narrative function do they serve? That is, why is it useful to know what is going to happen before

it does?

As one is acquainted with the remarkable epic of Gilgamesh, it is inevitable not to notice

the various dreams in the entire text. Clearly, the dreams seem to foretell the future of

Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu. They predict the next events in the lives of the two, and thus

after interpretation the two show signs of encouragement to take on the events in their lives. The

dreams serve as a way of communication between the gods and the people. Dreams are a

constant motivation for Gilgamesh, and although at times he feels physically incapable of

continuing on his quest for everlasting life, his focus on achieving his goal, drive him past any

conceivable ability.

In-order to expound more on the aspect of dreams in the text, and to show the purpose of

them in Gilgamesh’s life, this paper analyses the dreams in three sections, namely the description

of the dreams mentioned in the text, the symbolism they tend to show, and the relevance and

function of them in the epic. It also includes the works cited segment, which provides a detailed

sources of citation used in the content of this paper.

Johnson 2

In the customary version of the Epic, there exist many distinct dreams. In the first dream,

Gilgamesh dreams of how he walks through the night, full of joy, then a star falls. He embraces

the star, and finds that is too heavy to carry. His mother, Ninsun, accurately translates this dream

as the coming of his friend and comrade, Enkidu. The second dream is similar to the first, as

Gilgamesh dreams of an axe that he embraces. The mother interprets the dream well and reveals

that the axe is Enkidu. The two dreams symbolize the future friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

The items in the dream, the axe and star symbolize the strength of Enkidu. The star also

symbolizes the strange character of Enkidu, unknown and eating with the wild.

During the journey to the forest, Gilgamesh has a series of dreams. In his first, he sees a

very large mountain. Enkidu translates the dream as the victory over Huwawa. However, modern

translations of this dream signify the mountain as his incubation ritual, and the falling on the

mountain towards them signifies how fate pins him down. In the second dream, there is a

brilliant young man who comes and pulls Gilgamesh from the mountain. Enkidu interprets the

man as Shamash, the god of the sun. in relation to the story it may be possible that this young

man is Enkidu, who rescues Gilgamesh from his initial concerns.

The third dream is a frightening one too, since it is about the roaring of the heavens and

the earth, then the dark silence, and a fire rain, which turns the earth to ash. Enkidu yet again

describes the dream as the defeat of Humbaba. In deeper meaning, it may symbolize Enkidu’s

own death, but it is difficult to determine whether this might be true. In connection with the

dreams that follow, it might also symbolize Gilgamesh’s urge to make a name for himself against

the gods.

Johnson 3

While these dreams may be the only ones in the original text, there are two more, as

studies prove, possibly recovered from bits that were unavailable to early translators. Gilgamesh

dreams of things such as eagle-headed lions, gigantic bulls, falling mountains, lightning and

flames, e.t.c. Enkidu misconstrues all these dreams as positive signs of victory in their next

encounters. These dreams may are also interpreted in relation to the victory against Humbaba.

The gigantic bull may also be seen as the foreshadowing of the fight against the Bull of heaven

later in the story. Hence, it may become known, the imagery in these dreams relate to the stories

that pursue, though unclearly symbolic.

Probably, these dreams were added mainly to intensify the literary tension, because the

original audience would have been accustomed enough with the story to identify the irony in

Enkidu’s positive misconceptions prior to his death. Compared with the clear foreshadowing of

the other dream sequences however, it seems that there is something deeper going on here,

whether in Gilgamesh’s psychology or in the Mesopotamian cultural imagination, depending on

how we choose to interpret the dreams. (Dalley 46).

All events that happen throughout the entire epic are foretold by dreams. It can be noted

that in the original poem, however, Gilgamesh does not experience the dreams in the forest.

Today, dreams are of less importance as considered to the ancient times. Many people do not pay

attention to their dreams. As a result, the current population of readers of the epic of Gilgamesh

may only have a misty idea on how they can translate their own dreams.

The dream that Gilgamesh dreams of, where Enkidu is lying still in bed is backed up by

another dream that Enkidu dreams again, after the defeat of the monster Humbaba, when he falls

ill.

Johnson 4

When the daylight came Enkidu got up and cried to Gilgamesh, ‘O my brother,

such a dream I had last night. Anu, Enlil, Ea and heavenly Shamash took counsel

together, and Anu said to Enlil, "Because they have killed the Bull of Heaven, and

because they have killed Humbaba who guarded the Cedar Mountain one of the

two must , die." Then glorious Shamash answered the hero Enlil, "It was by your

command they killed the Bull of Heaven, and killed Huwawa and must Enkidu

die although innocent?" Enlil flung round in rage at glorious Shamash, "You dare

to say this, you who went about with them every day like one of themselves!"'

(Assyrian International News Agency 13)

This dream can be interpreted as foreshadowing, since it entails that the council of the

gods come to a decision that Enkidu must die because of slaying Humbaba. Enkidu is shown a

distinct visualization of the Sumerian underworld. Thus, in the story, the dreams foreshadow the

arrival and the death of Enkidu.

The dreams play a part in motivating the two friends as they fight with Humbaba and the

Bull of heaven. The dreams make them extremely poised in overcoming obstacles. (In this case

the two creatures mentioned). The dreams motivate Gilgamesh to focus on achieving his goal

and to continue his quest for eternal life. They power him past any feasible ability. The dreams

also assist in the solidification of their friendship with Enkidu.

The instant understanding when symbolizing the dreams is that Gilgamesh is

subliminally afraid of death. When Enkidu lays sick, Gilgamesh is ever beside him, weeping.

He touched his heart but it did not beat, nor did he lift his eyes again. When

Gilgamesh touched his heart it did not beat. So Gilgamesh laid a veil, as one veils

the bride, over his friend. He began to rage like a lion, like a lioness robbed of her

Johnson 5

whelps. This way and that he paced round the bed, he tore out his hair and

strewed it around. He dragged of his splendid robes and flung them down as

though they were abominations. (Assyrian International News Agency 13)

The death of his friend is evident that there is concern over humanity. In fear of death,

Gilgamesh embarks on a journey in search of immortality. The fear is also evident in the episode

of the Cedar forest, where Gilgamesh explicates his exact reason for his desire to kill the monster.

“I will make a lasting name for myself, I will stamp my fame on men’s minds

forever” (Mitchell 94)

Further readings may prove that, while the concern for mortality is apparent, Gilgamesh

may be feeling jealous of his parents, King Lugalbanda and Ninsun, who are gods. He is quoted

saying, “only the gods live forever” (93). Gilgamesh wishes he was like his father, a god, instead

of his own two thirds of godly nature and one third of human nature since it is this third that

brings death to him.

In the ancient years, it is evident that the desire to know one’s destiny in a world where it

was believed that no human had complete control may have spearheaded the invention of dream

incubation rituals and the general interests seen.

Gilgamesh’s dreams are viewed as a clear duplication of the main story that shows the

struggle against the will of the gods. From the modern perspective, this is indistinct at first, but it

becomes apparent with regard to the understanding of dreams by the ancient world. This epic

appears to be the first effort at signifying an individual’s psychology.

Johnson 6

The irony poised for modern readers however, is that Enkidu’s translations ultimately

proved correct. Gilgamesh did defeat Humbaba, and he still made a lasting name for himself,

since his exploits are read even in the modern world.

In summary, the dreams in the epic are vitally important. They are a way of

communication between the gods and the mortals. They are also a motivation for Gilgamesh,

helping him in his quest for everlasting life and on achieving his goal.

Johnson 7

Notes

1. Please note that the direct quotes cited form the ancient texts are written in their original

form, which may contain grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.

2. There are instances in this paper where the monster Humbaba is written as Huwawa,

which is another name for the monster.

Johnson 8

Works Cited

Assyrian International News Agency The epic of Gilgamesh n.d web.

Rereading Fate: Dream Interpretation in the Epic of Gilgamesh Tait McKenzie Johnson 13

January 2011 web.

Kramer, Samuel Noah. The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character. The

University of Chicago Press, Chicago: 1963 Print.

Mitchell, Stephen, trans. Gilgamesh: a New English Version. Free Press, New York:

2004 web.

Sandars, N.K, trans. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Penguin Books, Baltimore: 1960 print.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."