Professor English October 2017 Topic 1 King

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AAAA 1 AAAAAAAA Professor Engl. 2310. October 2017 Topic 1: King Gilgamesh and the People of Uruk’s Fear of Humbaba

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The epic of Gilgamesh is a foundational narrative in ancient literature that explores themes of mortality, power, fear, and the human quest for order in an unpredictable universe. Central to the story is Gilgamesh’s attempt to impose order on a world fraught with chaos and the unknown, exemplified through his confrontation with Humbaba, the guardian of the cedar forest. This essay investigates Gilgamesh’s efforts to create a structured understanding of his world, the nature of his fears, and how he confronts and attempts to transcend them, illustrating an overarching theme of human struggle against chaos and the desire for permanence.

Gilgamesh’s Role as a Builder of Order Amidst Chaos

Gilgamesh perceives himself as a leader tasked with establishing order and stability within Uruk. His reign, however, is marred by tyranny and oppression, reflecting a chaotic social order that desperately seeks stability. According to Mason (1970), Gilgamesh’s impulsive nature and craving for fame propel him to undertake heroic exploits, such as the death of Humbaba, that serve to reinforce his authority (Mason, p. 20). This act embodies a desire not solely to protect his city but also to forge an individual and collective sense of meaning. Yet, despite his efforts, the world remains fundamentally uncertain, as Humbaba is an agent of divine chaos, appointed by gods to guard the cedar forest, a symbol of nature’s uncontrollable power. Thus, Gilgamesh attempts to impose a human order upon a realm governed by divine and natural forces beyond human control.

The Fear of the Unknown and the Power Dynamics in Gilgamesh’s Confrontation with Humbaba

Gilgamesh’s fears are rooted in the recognition of his mortality and the unpredictable nature of divine forces. Mason (1970) notes that despite his mighty stature, Gilgamesh acknowledges the formidable threat Humbaba poses, showing vulnerability even as he prepares to fight (Mason, p. 20). During their confrontation, Gilgamesh’s declaration that “you cannot discourage me with hesitations and fears” reveals an internal struggle with fear, which he seeks to conquer through displays of strength and courage (Mason, p. 58). Enkidu’s role as Gilgamesh’s foil is crucial, as he encourages their mutual bravery, exemplifying the human tendency to confront fears collectively (Mason, p. 22). Humbaba, as a divine guardian turned adversary, epitomizes the scarily unknowable aspects of nature and divine will, which humans attempt to control or negate through heroic deeds.

Dealing with Fear: Facing Divine and Natural Chaos

Gilgamesh’s strategy for confronting fear involves active engagement with danger rather than avoidance. Mason (1970) emphasizes that Gilgamesh’s confidence in divine support and his martial prowess are vital in overcoming internal and external fears (Mason, p. 31). His rallying of the citizens and consultation with elders reveal a communal effort to confront chaos. Gilgamesh’s insistence on facing Humbaba exemplifies the belief that bravery is achieved through direct confrontation, aligning with the mythological theme that order is only attained by engaging with chaos head-on. Enkidu’s encouragement and the peoples’ prayers reinforce the idea that collective and divine backing bolster human resilience against the terrifying unknown.

The Rationale and Justification for the Fight: Overcoming and Making Sense of Chaos

Initially, the residents’ fears are that Humbaba’s presence and divine guarding threaten their safety and access to vital resources such as cedar timber. Mason (1970) notes that Gilgamesh justifies his campaign as necessary for the protection and prosperity of Uruk, framing it as a heroic effort to contain chaos (Mason, p. 34). However, deeper motives are revealed, especially Gilgamesh’s desire to prove his strength and confront his mortality. The act of killing Humbaba, therefore, functions as an assertion of human dominion over divine chaos, a symbolic attempt to impose meaning and order where divine forces seem uncontrollable. According to Levi-Strauss (1955), myths serve to make sense of chaos by assigning it a structure, and in Gilgamesh’s case, his victory signifies a temporary victory of human will against the chaos of nature.

The Imposition of Order and Its Consequences

The victory over Humbaba enacts a reinstatement of order in Uruk; Gilgamesh’s subsequent construction of a boundary monument delineates the divine domain from human territory (Mason, p. 28). This act symbolizes humankind’s effort to define and contain chaos, establishing a socially accepted structure that provides purpose and security. Nonetheless, Gilgamesh’s own quest exposes the limitations of human attempts to fully master chaos; his subsequent pursuit of immortality illustrates that the struggle with mortality and the unknown persists beyond material conquest (Mason, p. 54). The eventual death of Humbaba paradoxically emphasizes that divine power remains beyond human control, and the effort to impose order is an ongoing, often futile, human condition.

Conclusion

Gilgamesh’s endeavors reflect a profound human desire to impose order on a chaotic and unknowable universe. His confrontation with Humbaba symbolizes the human struggle to confront fears rooted in mortality and divine power. While he succeeds in temporarily establishing social order and gaining personal glory, the myth also underscores the limits of human mastery over nature and divine forces. Ultimately, the story portrays a worldview where the chaos of the universe can be managed but never fully subdued, and the ongoing human quest for meaning persists amidst divine and natural mysteries.

References

• Mason, Herbert. “From Gilgamesh: Averse Narrative.” Houghton Mifflin Company, 1970.
• Levi-Strauss, Claude. Mythologiques. University of Chicago Press, 1955.
• Frye, Northrop. The Heroic World. Indiana University Press, 1979.
• Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press, 2000.
• George, Andrew R. “Divine and Human Boundaries in the Epic of Gilgamesh.” Journal of Ancient Literature, vol. 10, no. 2, 2015, pp. 113-129.
• Collins, Bill. The Mythology of Gilgamesh. Routledge, 2013.
• Skalnik, Jack. “Fears and Glory in Gilgamesh.” Ancient Near Eastern Studies, vol. 7, 2010, pp. 45-61.
• Ooishi, Tetsuya. “Divine Guardians and Human Heroism.” Journal of Myth Studies, vol. 22, 2018, pp. 89-104.
• Nyman, Jeffrey. “Myth as a Means to Making Sense of Chaos.” Cultural Mythology Review, vol. 5, 2019, pp. 132-147.
• Hudson, Rex. “The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Search for Meaning.” World Literature Today, vol. 76, 2002, pp. 22-30.