Do NowDo Now•Why do we study World Why do we study World Lit?Lit?•What are some of the What are some of the common themes you have common themes you have seen repeated through all seen repeated through all the literature you have the literature you have read?read?

Group AssignmentGroup Assignment

• You have read literature in your English classes You have read literature in your English classes that have themes that could be considered that have themes that could be considered archetypes.archetypes.

• An Archetype is a theme that has meaning and An Archetype is a theme that has meaning and importance across cultures and time. It is not importance across cultures and time. It is not merely a theme for one culture or time period. merely a theme for one culture or time period.

• Think of a theme you have read about that is Think of a theme you have read about that is also an archetype. Recall where you read about also an archetype. Recall where you read about it in literature and then give a current example to it in literature and then give a current example to prove it is an archetype (a theme that is still prove it is an archetype (a theme that is still relevant today).relevant today).

• As a group, think of 5 reasons why it is important As a group, think of 5 reasons why it is important to study World Literature.to study World Literature.

Group Assignment (cont)Group Assignment (cont)

• You only need one copy of your You only need one copy of your answers, but include the names of answers, but include the names of your group members on the top.your group members on the top.

• This is due at the end of the period. This is due at the end of the period.

Do NowDo Now

•Think of an archetype that you Think of an archetype that you came across in the last 24 came across in the last 24 hours…real life event, movie, tv hours…real life event, movie, tv show, radio talk, etc.show, radio talk, etc.

•Write it down and explain the Write it down and explain the meaning and relevance of the meaning and relevance of the theme.theme.

Unit 1: Intro to “The Epic of Unit 1: Intro to “The Epic of Gilgamesh”Gilgamesh”

• In order to understand Gilgamesh and other In order to understand Gilgamesh and other old pieces of literature, you need to place old pieces of literature, you need to place them in a historical context.them in a historical context.

• Gilgamesh is one of the oldest works of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest works of literature of which we are awareliterature of which we are aware

• It was written during the Sumerian It was written during the Sumerian Civilization on clay tablets using Civilization on clay tablets using cuneiformcuneiform..

• Early civilizations such as Sumeria and Early civilizations such as Sumeria and Babylon were located on rivers for survival. Babylon were located on rivers for survival. This placed great emphasis on the This placed great emphasis on the connection between water and life or connection between water and life or survival.survival.

Gilgamesh intro (cont)Gilgamesh intro (cont)

• During Gilgamesh’s time, the ruler was During Gilgamesh’s time, the ruler was King Hammurabi, known for his code of King Hammurabi, known for his code of 282 laws governing all aspects of life.282 laws governing all aspects of life.

• Hammurabi’s code was most noted for the Hammurabi’s code was most noted for the concept of “an eye for an eye.”concept of “an eye for an eye.”

• Gilgamesh is on a hero’s quest (plot in Gilgamesh is on a hero’s quest (plot in which an extraordinary person goes on a which an extraordinary person goes on a difficult journey or mission) for difficult journey or mission) for ____________________.____________________.

Gilgamesh on pages 14-20Gilgamesh on pages 14-20Questions for response while Questions for response while

readingreading• How are heroes of the How are heroes of the

past different from those past different from those of today?of today?

– Past heroes had a lot of Past heroes had a lot of pride and had to be pride and had to be physically fit. Definition of physically fit. Definition of hero today has broadened. hero today has broadened.

Questions from notebookQuestions from notebook

• What details from the epic can be helpful What details from the epic can be helpful with your understanding of the important with your understanding of the important values of the culture?values of the culture?– Value gods who can grant physical and Value gods who can grant physical and

emotional qualities. emotional qualities. – Strength, servitude, courage, determination, Strength, servitude, courage, determination,

kingdom, family, safety. The reader can tell kingdom, family, safety. The reader can tell this by details about ramparts and the this by details about ramparts and the description of Gilgamesh and the details of his description of Gilgamesh and the details of his quest. quest.

Questions from notebookQuestions from notebook

• Be able to speculate on what was Be able to speculate on what was valued by the people of Gilgamesh’s valued by the people of Gilgamesh’s day based on details in the epic. Use day based on details in the epic. Use answers from last question to answers from last question to formulate your response. formulate your response.

Questions from notebookQuestions from notebook

• What can you conclude about life in What can you conclude about life in Gilgamesh’s day judging from the Gilgamesh’s day judging from the importance placed on the rampart or importance placed on the rampart or the defensive walls in the city? (hint: the defensive walls in the city? (hint: why were ramparts necessary?)why were ramparts necessary?)– People were subjected to wars and life People were subjected to wars and life

was tough. was tough.

Questions from notebookQuestions from notebook• How can the battle with Humbaba be How can the battle with Humbaba be

considered part of the considered part of the archetypearchetype of a of a hero’s quest?hero’s quest?– An archetype is a theme that crosses time An archetype is a theme that crosses time

and cultures.and cultures.– Hero’s quest is one type of an archetype. Hero’s quest is one type of an archetype.

• In order to have a hero’s quest the main In order to have a hero’s quest the main character must fulfill hero qualities and go on character must fulfill hero qualities and go on a quest to accomplish a huge feat and a quest to accomplish a huge feat and overcome obstacles in the process overcome obstacles in the process

– Gil is a hero (part god and king), he is on a quest for Gil is a hero (part god and king), he is on a quest for immortality, he has obstacles of fighting Humbaba, immortality, he has obstacles of fighting Humbaba, battling the forrest and losing his friend. battling the forrest and losing his friend.

Questions from notebookQuestions from notebook

• Explain whether or not the quest that Explain whether or not the quest that Gilgamesh is on is something that is still Gilgamesh is on is something that is still relevant today. (Opinion)relevant today. (Opinion)

• Battle with Humbaba: Gil and Enkidu have Battle with Humbaba: Gil and Enkidu have the help of Shamash the sun god to cut the help of Shamash the sun god to cut down trees and enter Humbaba’s house. down trees and enter Humbaba’s house. They debate whether or not to kill him. Gil They debate whether or not to kill him. Gil wants to grant mercy; Enkidu talk him out wants to grant mercy; Enkidu talk him out of the mercy idea, and they kill him. of the mercy idea, and they kill him.