Lin 1

林宸如

Professor Tzu-Yu Liu

Introduction to Western Literature (I)

19 September 2023

Weekly Reading Journal: Week 2

Summary

The epic poem "Gilgamesh" explores themes of friendship, courage, and the development

of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was a tyrannical ruler, so the gods created Enkidu as a foil to Gilgamesh.

Friendship and courage come to the fore on the journey to kill Humbaba. These moments embody

Gilgamesh's growth and courageous friendship.

Intriguing Point

I found the courage of Gilgamesh and Enki to overcome the fear of death attractive. This

spirit reminds me of the chivalry of medieval Europe. Their friendship and mutual encouragement

enabled them to face the formidable challenge with each other and pass this spirit on to future

generations.

Questions for Discussion

1. Enkidu has a crucial, fundamental function to play in the narrative. How does Enkidu's

presence affect Gilgamesh, and why is Enkidu significant to the narrative?

2. Why did Gilgamesh wait until they had been cursed before acting on Enkidu's command to

kill Humbaba? What kind of mentality did he have? Please try to analyze the interactions and

relationships between the characters of Gilgamesh and Enkidu.