The Hero In Homer's The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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The Epic of Gilgamesh intricately describes the story of its main protagonist, King Gilgamesh, and his quest for immortally to understand what it means to be human. Gilgamesh displays supernatural abilities in strength and wisdom because he is two-thirds divine and one-third human. Gilgamesh means “the offspring of a hero”, foreshadowing great accomplishments and a highly respected status. Gilgamesh is the priest-king of the city-state of Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia. He built Uruk’s monumental city walls and temples worshipping the goddess of love and warfare, Ishtar. He is also known by the people of Uruk as being omniscient and the gods knew he was omnipotent. Even though he possessed many great qualities he ruled more like a tyrant than a noble king. After…show more content…
If you don’t give me the Bull of Heaven, I’ll strike […] to its foundation, I’ll raise up the dead to devour the living, The dead shall outnumber the living”(pg.126) “When Anu heard what Ishtar said, He placed the lead rope of the Bull of Heaven in her hand, Ishtar led the Bull of Heaven away.”(pg.126) When Gilgamesh returns to Uruk and cleans himself off, Ishtar is overcome with lust and begs him to be her husband. Gilgamesh refuses and this greatly infuriates Ishtar. She goes to her father, Anu, the god of the firmament, and to her mother, Antum, and demands that they let her use the Bull of Heaven. She wants to turn the bull loose so she can watch him gore Gilgamesh to death. She threatens to let all of the dead people out of the underworld so they can feast on the living, unless her parents give her the bull. Still Anu hesitates. He warns her that the bull will cause seven years of famine. Ishtar assures him that she has made provisions for the people and the flocks of Uruk, Even though her father does not understand her anger, since all that Gilgamesh said was true, he reluctantly gives in to her

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