Gilgamesh, Ruth, Psalms, and More: Ancient Texts
Gilgamesh’s Quest for Immortality
Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality begins when his friend Enkidu dies. Gilgamesh is deeply affected by Enkidu’s death, and he realizes his own mortality. He embarks on his quest not only to escape death but also to regain the strength that the gods had given him and were now punishing him for his behavior.
Why Did Aruru Create Enkidu?
Aruru creates Enkidu to contend with King Gilgamesh and absorb some of his energy. The people had complained about Gilgamesh’s arrogance and his habit of taking other men’s wives.
The Great Flood in Ancient Texts
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the god sends the flood because there were too many people on Earth, and the noise they made was unbearable. The gods were informed that the noise was so loud that they could not sleep. Consequently, the gods sent the flood to exterminate mankind.
God’s Pact After the Flood
After the flood, God decides to spare the life of Ea and his wife. He puts them both on a boat and sends them to the mouth of the river.
The Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth tells a story of life during the time when chieftains ruled. It describes, in prose and with a predominance of parallelism, how God arrived on Earth and the events that occurred at that moment.
Ruth’s Relation to King David
Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David.
Humanity’s Role in the Universe According to Psalms
According to the Psalms, human beings were a divine creation made by God to live on Earth, and He gave them glory and majesty.
The Psalms and Musical Instruments
The Psalms were sung with the accompaniment of an instrument called a Kinnor. It had three to twelve strings that were plucked by the musician or with a thin piece of metal or bone.
The Thousand and One Nights
The Thousand and One Nights is about an old Emperor who is not satisfied by any one woman. He seeks a different woman each night, killing her in the morning because she did not satisfy him. One day, a woman starts telling him a story, but she does not finish it until the next day, and so on. This way, the Emperor was mesmerized by this woman.
Summary of “The Fisherman and the Jinnee”
“The Fisherman and the Jinnee” tells the story of a fisherman who couldn’t catch anything until one day he found a metal vessel. When the fisherman rubbed it clean, a jinnee appeared. This jinnee was full of anger because he had been in the metal vessel for hundreds of years, and he threatened to kill the fisherman. The fisherman refutes the jinnee’s reasons, and when facing certain death, he tricks the jinnee into getting back into the vessel and throws it back into the sea.
Analysis of Poems in the Rubaiyat
These poems are based on the here and now. They are a way to appreciate life as it is granted to us and to do so with joy. While acknowledging life’s hardships, the poems emphasize the importance of enjoying life to its fullest, including love and wisdom.
Analysis of African Poems and Cultural Comparison
African poems are mostly composed of proverbs related to day-to-day situations. They use short, one-line sentences in the form of proverbs to cast a light of wisdom. Similar use of proverbs can be found in many cultures, including Venezuela.