Symbolism Of Snake In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Symbolism in the epic of gilgamesh

The Epic Of Gilgamesh Background

The Epic of Gilgamesh was wildly famous in antiquity. Like the snake that steals Gilgamesh’s rejuvenation plant, the Epic of Gilgamesh has aged well. Its themes - exploring the tension. Well, really, there is nothing to suggest that the snake symbolizes anything. The episode where the snake steaks Gilgamesh's magic plant while he is bathing serves two purposes. The main one is. The snake has often been used as a symbol of deceit and trickery that results to the downfall of man. This is seen in the Bible when Adam and Eve were tempted and deceived by the snake to eat the apple to gain eternal life and power. In The epic of Gilgamesh, the same symbol was attributed to the snake. Start studying The Epic of Gilgamesh. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. What was the symbolic nature of the plant from the river? Element Names and Symbols. Arts and Humanities.

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The Snake In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The author uses many literary devices in The Epic of Gilgamesh in order to describe the character of Humbaba, the one who guards the cedar forest, because he wants the reader to be just as fearful of the character as Enkidu, who is the speaker of lines 155-158 in the text. The character’s fear of the ugly beast is ironic because when Enkidu dies Gilgamesh too becomes afraid to die. Another reason I chose this short passage is that the author uses imagery and foreshadowing to hint to the reader what happens later on in the epic and I believe it is essential to the poem. The author also uses repetition in order to stress the idea that Humbaba is not to be tormented. Enkidu warns Gilgamesh not to go near the forest of cedars to kill Humbaba, but Gilgamesh laughs at him and asks Enkidu why he is afraid to die all of the sudden. The paragraph I chose also prepares the reader for unforeseen events that occur later on in the epic poem, including Enkidu's death.
Enkidu is weary of Gilgamesh’s plan and is not in agreeance to join him initially. He questions Gilgamesh’s idea about the quest to kill Humbaba. Enkidu says, “How shall the likes of us go to the forest of cedars, my friend” (line 155). Enkidu is not confident in his abilities to conquer Humbaba. The author includes this line to symbolize Enkidu becoming more civilized. Enkidu shows fear for someone he used to live amongst in the forest, and he is starting to realize that nature is something to be feared. Gilgamesh