ENG 283E: Our Premodern Epics: How Epics Create Culture and Vice Versa

Gilgamesh: Epic of Gilgamesh From Star Trek The Next Generation and The City of Ur

One of the earliest epics surviving great works of literature ever recorded is known as The Epic of Gilgamesh. This story is about a Mesopotamian king, Gilgamesh, who ruled the city of Uruk around 2750 BCE. The epic entails a half animal half man named Enkidu, who lives in the forest and travels into the city of Uruk looking to defeat Gilgamesh. “Enkidu declares, “I will go to Uruk now, to the palace of Gilgamesh the mighty king. I will challenge him” (Habib 75). The battle between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was a turning point since there was never a man neither strong enough nor brave enough to stand up to Gilgamesh as well as Enkidu being the only man to gain Gilgamesh’s respect. “Their reconciliation prepares Gilgamesh for a friendship he has never known and their loving attachment to one another reveals the manner in which mutual respect and admiration forms the basis of friendship (Habib 75). Just as Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s friendship is eminent, the relationship between Captain Picard and Darmok are also special and is portrayed in the media.
 
In this Star Trek video, Captain Picard tells Darmok about the ancient story of a king named Gilgamesh who ruled Uruk. Captain Picard begins by introducing Gilgamesh; he was a king at Uruk who tormented his people and made them very unhappy. Gilgamesh later goes with Enkidu on a journey to find the great bull from the heavens that killed thousands of people. As their journey occurred, Enkidu caught the bull by the tail and Gilgamesh struck him with a sword. Ultimately, Enkidu was struck by the gods and suddenly fell to the ground. Gilgamesh wept and stated, “I will cause all the people of Uruk to weep over you and raise the dirge of the dead” (Sanders 15). Gilgamesh being king of Ur had the power to ensure sorrow over his fellow partner. This scene from Star Trek shows how Captain Picard and Darmok also share a tight bond and the feeling you have when loosing someone close. It is in interesting that star Trek has gone back to one of the oldest stories ever told, and incorporated it into one of their scenes.

 
Habib, Khalil. “The Epic Of Gilgamesh: Death And The Education Of A Tyrant.” International Journal Of The Humanities 6.7 (2008): 73-77 Humanities Source. Web. 31 Oct. 2016.
 
Sanders, N. K. "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Assyrian International News Agency, 1987. Web. 
 
 

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