Technically, it *predates* the Western hero cycle, being as far as I know the oldest extant story on this side of the world. But of course it's the only surviving product of a whole storytelling tradition that's now lost.
Interesting you mention 'Western', because I always figured other parts of the world must have their own structures, and indeed they do. There's Kishotenketsu, which centers around a twist, for instance, and is used in East Asia.
Yes, they have their own traditions, and there are stories that don’t even depend on tension or arcs, and have a circular structure. The first novel is generally considered to be The Tale of Genji, out of Japan. What I haven’t been able to glean yet is, was Gilgamesh truly “lost” if there are ancient statues of him around? Did everyone forget who the statue was, or was it the historic king they depicted, who the story is based on? And if they didn’t use clay tablets, it would all be lost.
Well, the statues last longer than everything else, I guess? From what I understand (and extreme antiquity is not my area of expertise), with a lot of this really old stuff we might have a statue but not know who it is, or the inscription might be (now) ambiguous and refer to one of three possible kings. We're working with very partial information on a lot of this stuff, from what I can tell.
Thank you for writing about this incredible story. I discovered Gilgamesh last year and while I haven't done the deep thinking you have done on it, even on a fast read I found it incredible. People should know!
Wow, thank you for reading it. I've been a fan of your work since reading "This is Pleasure." I agree that Gilgamesh needs to as well-loved as the Odyssey. I need to read up on how well known the myth was before the 1800s.
You're welcome and thanks. I was thinking about one of your comments on my site and I wondered, what does he write so I looked. Was glad to have done so.
This felt like a car ride story in the best way. That illustration, when I saw it posted on IG, is so dear I had to open email to get here and read this. It was a while before I was done looking at the picture. But when I read, you told it like my best teachers taught their subjects. That's Latin class Ides of March bloody sword cake category, through a text medium, without actual cake. That's pretty good.
Technically, it *predates* the Western hero cycle, being as far as I know the oldest extant story on this side of the world. But of course it's the only surviving product of a whole storytelling tradition that's now lost.
Interesting you mention 'Western', because I always figured other parts of the world must have their own structures, and indeed they do. There's Kishotenketsu, which centers around a twist, for instance, and is used in East Asia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kish%C5%8Dtenketsu
Yes, they have their own traditions, and there are stories that don’t even depend on tension or arcs, and have a circular structure. The first novel is generally considered to be The Tale of Genji, out of Japan. What I haven’t been able to glean yet is, was Gilgamesh truly “lost” if there are ancient statues of him around? Did everyone forget who the statue was, or was it the historic king they depicted, who the story is based on? And if they didn’t use clay tablets, it would all be lost.
Well, the statues last longer than everything else, I guess? From what I understand (and extreme antiquity is not my area of expertise), with a lot of this really old stuff we might have a statue but not know who it is, or the inscription might be (now) ambiguous and refer to one of three possible kings. We're working with very partial information on a lot of this stuff, from what I can tell.
How strange! I just bought that book 3wks ago and haven’t started it yet. But I definitely will be reading it. Thanks for the essay version.
There’s so much more to enjoy in the book. Let me know what you think!
Thank you for writing about this incredible story. I discovered Gilgamesh last year and while I haven't done the deep thinking you have done on it, even on a fast read I found it incredible. People should know!
Wow, thank you for reading it. I've been a fan of your work since reading "This is Pleasure." I agree that Gilgamesh needs to as well-loved as the Odyssey. I need to read up on how well known the myth was before the 1800s.
You're welcome and thanks. I was thinking about one of your comments on my site and I wondered, what does he write so I looked. Was glad to have done so.
So fun, so sexy, & now by telling the story *you’re* the snake shedding its skin! It just keeps going! Congrats on your immortality! ♾🐍💗
I think I'm more of a lizard licking it's eyeball
I feel like I’m a poster board of the frog life cycle.
This felt like a car ride story in the best way. That illustration, when I saw it posted on IG, is so dear I had to open email to get here and read this. It was a while before I was done looking at the picture. But when I read, you told it like my best teachers taught their subjects. That's Latin class Ides of March bloody sword cake category, through a text medium, without actual cake. That's pretty good.
Thank you, I wanted to tell it without ruining the fun.
Imma be honest, I didn't read this thoroughly, because I plan on following your advice and picking up a copy of my own. Thanks for the tip!
Please come back and talk about it. I'm angry I didn't read this in school!
My pleasure, and I hope more people read the epic.