ERICA G.

CALUBAYAN

Assignment 11

Write a summary and analysis about The Epic of Gilgamesh.

SUMMARY

Gilgamesh has travelled the world and ended up in the Sumerian city of Uruk, where he is now king. The
locals criticize his arrogance, however: he takes sons from their fathers and sleeps with all the women
he pleases.The trapper travels to see Gilgamesh and tells him about Enkidu’s life with the wild beasts,
destroying the trapper’s traps, and filling in his holes. Gilgamesh tells the trapper to take a prostitute
back with him to tempt Enkidu. He says (as the trapper’s father did) that when Enkidu is drawn to the
naked woman, wild animals will reject him.

ANALYSIS

Upon hearing of a man as strong as himself, Gilgamesh needs to meet and challenge him he has a strong
sense of pride and desire to prove himself through great deeds. It’s also telling that he comes to the
same conclusion as the trapper’s father sex and humanity will bring a separation from nature.