Tablet nine review

Tablet nine review

Overview

Tablet nine begins by Gilgamesh setting out to search for Utanapishtim.  His first encounter is with Siduri, the tavern-keeper. On seeing Gilgamesh, Siduri quickly concludes that he must be a killer and secures herself. Gilgamesh, however, convinces her to show him the way to Utanapishtim after a long discussion. She leads him to Urshanabi, the ferryman of Utanapishtim. Urshanabi blames Gilgamesh for smashing the stone things and pulling out their retaining ropes. These were the instruments for crossing the Waters of Death. He asks Gilgamesh to go into the woods and cut 300 punting poles, and the two boarded the boat to Utanapishtim. When they reached the Waters of Death, Urshanabi remained behind, and Gilgamesh continued with his journey. On seeing Gilgamesh,  Utanapishtim wondered how Gilgamesh could sail on a boat that was not his over the Waters of Death. “Why are ‘the stone things’ of the boat smashed to pieces!  And why is someone not its master sailing on it?” Utanapishtim received Gilgamesh, and the two held a long conversation.

Biographical Context

While Gilgamesh was a blend of the gods and man, Enkidu was made by humans and wild. Enkidu was created to calm Gilgamesh down, but the two became the best of friends. The epic explicitly describes the adventures they encounter, major ones being slaying the giant Humbaba and killing the Heaven Bull. The death of Enkidu, though, leaves Gilgamesh devastated. He sets out to search for Utanapishtim, the only person who escaped death. This is because he feared that he would also die one day just like his friend. The serpent, however, snatches and eats the plant of life from him. His fear failed him. He returned home shattered by the idea of death, knowing that he must die one day. He profoundly became a changed person.

Most Important Passage

The most important text in this reading is the questions that Gilgamesh was asked by all those he encountered in tablets nine and ten. “Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate! Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard!” After Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh was greatly troubled by the reality of death. It wasn’t straightforward for him to come to terms with it. He mourned for seven days and nights, and he likely ate nothing while crying. His health deteriorated drastically. Gilgamesh also faced harsh conditions on his journey to Utanapishtim. He was to kill wild animals for his food. It was, therefore, impossible for him to be healthy.

Most Interesting Passage

The most exciting part of this reading is where the tavern-keeper locks the door on seeing Gilgamesh. “That fellow is surely a murderer! Where is he heading!” From afar, Gilgamesh must have appeared terrifying to Siduri. She was quick to judge that Gilgamesh would probably kill her. The exciting part of here is that she also asks him why he is emaciated. How can a wasted person kill? Anyone in such a condition would likely ask for help, and not the other way round. It becomes interesting when Siduri refuses to believe that Gilgamesh had slain the giant Humbaba and killed the Heaven Bull.

Most Puzzling Passage

The most puzzling part of the reading is at the end of tablet ten. “Mammetum, she who forms destiny, determined destiny with them. They established death and life, but they did not make known ‘the days of death.’” Utanapishtim tells Gilgamesh how death originated. However, it is not clear as to when and why it was formed. According to Utanapishtim, Enlil had declared a blessing. The Anunnaki however, assembled, and Mammetum overturned the consent to a curse. I am left to ask myself why. It is not explained also why they didn’t make known the days of death.

Discussion Question

In this reading, Utanapishtim asks Gilgamesh what he has got from his toiling without ceasing. If you were Gilgamesh, what will be your answer to this question? And have you ever felt that you had done too much for nothing? Gilgamesh was considered a great king. To keep this title, he had to go out of the way and do unordinary things. We do some things in life to keep our right name intact. Therefore, I will not consider it a waste if I did something extraordinary to protect my reputation.