Gilgamesh: The Norton Anthology World Literature

by Benjamin R. Foster (Translator)

This version is from Volume one Shorter Second Edition of The Norton Anthology World Literature
ISBN: 9780393933024
Pages 12-81
Translated by Benjamin R Foster

Genres: Classics, Poetry, Read For School

69 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Benjamin R. Foster is Laffan Professor of Assyriology and Babylonian Literature. His research interests focus on cuneiform literature and the social and economic history of Mesopotamia.

Reviews

[Caden · Rating 5 out of 5]

the concept of the first story recorded containing yaoi

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Gilgamesh expressed his great excitement to Ur-Shanabi (the boatman) regarding the rejuvenating plant he was given by Utanapishtim—telling him of his plan to test it out on an old man back in Uruk, who he decided to bestow upon the unbelievably creative title of: “Old Man Has Become Young-Again-Man.” How adorable!

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this story for a course on world literature. It was absolutely fascinating! It is comparable with Beowulf and the Odyssey. I would definitely recommend to people who love classic epics.

[A.K.]

no way gilgamesh wasn't in love with enkidu just dudes being bros indeed

[Noah Parsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being one of the oldest stories known to humanity, it has some surprisingly complex themes and ideas. An enjoyable read with some extremely helpful footnotes and context added by the editors and translators.

[Todd Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Gilgamesh. I liked how this translation struck a nice balance between being too choppy and incoherent versus taking too many liberties to smooth out the fragmented manuscripts of the epic.

[Adeline Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

So what ever happened to ramparted Uruk?

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I find this translation of Gilgamesh to be pockmarked with ellipses and brackets. I guess that is standard practice, but it really took me out of the story. There were some lovely accompanying pieces of Accadian lit, though.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the worlds oldest epic recorded. Gilgamesh is part God and part man. He is so strong, so handsome, and so grand that he is frustrated with normal life. He uses his power for selfish gain. He mistreats his people. The Gods see this and they decide that he needs someone to balance him. They create Enkidu from the clay. He is the opposite of Gilgamesh. He lives like a wild animal.
Eventually Enkidu is introduced to Gilgamesh, by a crafty prostitute, and they become fast friends. Enkidu helps Gilgamesh focus his strengths for better purposes.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has themes that are still popular today. Friendship, the search for eternal life, the consequences of selfishness and violence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this epic! There was a lot of beautiful imagery, laugh out loud comparisons and characters, and a wonderful message.
I find it fascinating that this epic was written over 4000 years ago in a culture that no longer exists, yet still speaks and applies to readers today.
I think The Epic of Gilgamesh needs to be more widely read. I think someone should take on the task of retelling the story and make it into a YA novel. (Don't hate me highly educated literature readers.)

[Xian Xian · Rating 3 out of 5]

So for school, I read this. Now I have to read the Illiad. *Sighs loud enough for the earth to collapse.*

I read The Epic of Gilgamesh. It’s for school. Not even going to comment on this because everyone reads this for school.

Death.
Friendship.
Oh noooo.
Why you die!
Some lady seduced me and I became a grown man.
Gods and Goddesses aren’t good friends.
The font is too small.
I have to read The Iliad. I’m already hating this class.

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic tale, beautifully written! Would not have read except for it being a part of a World Lit class I'm taking for fun; so glad it was assigned. Written in the form of a poem, it is from Mesopotamia, and is considered to be one of the earliest surviving works of literature. Definitely recommended!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is way more interesting than I thought it would be going into it. An epic tail of heroes and battles. The language in this translation is hard to follow, but it is the closest to the original as you can get in English.

[Suzy G · Rating 2 out of 5]

The life of an English student in world literature=reading really old texts like "Gilgamesh."

[Lee McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to follow. Had to read it for class.