Gilgamesh- Tablet XII

This last tablet was the most difficult for me to understand. Besides starting off from a totally unknown point in the story, the background for the situation wasn't very clear to me.

It talks about some sort of Drum and Drumsticks that Gilgamesh somehow dropped into the Nether World. He then asks Enkidu to go for them and gives him specific recommendations for his trip. Enkidu, however, fails to follow them and is eventually seized by the Cry of the Dead. Gilgamesh is worried and prays to several gods for help, most of them unwilling to intercede. Eventually, the god Ea speaks to the king of the Nether World who agrees to open a whole in order to let Enkidu free.

Enkidu rises to the Upper World where he meets with Gilgamesh. He asks about his experience in the Nether World and although Enkidu doesn't want him to know, he ends up telling him how it is down there. Gilgamesh weeps and the book ends when he answers some questions about people trapped there.

I found this book pretty interesting but challenging as well. It was amazing to be able to interpret the piece in my own way and then find the actual meaning of things. Besides, looking at such an old work of literature made me realize how times have changed and things have evolved to become what they are. I'm not sure what to think about the book but I sure enjoyed reading it.

Gilgamesh- Tablet XI

In tablet 11, Gilgamesh is finally meeting with Utnapishtim in his attempt to reach immortality. When they meet, Gilgamesh percieves that they are similar. He beleives Utnapishtim is just like him, and listens carefully to his story. Utnapishtim narrates how he is warned about the flood and is able to save himself and some animals.

Gilgamesh then proceeds to ask for his great secret, and Utnapishtim puts him on prove. He must pass a test, no sleep for an entire week. Gilgamesh obviously fails to meet this goal and isn't granted with the secret. However, Utnapishtim tells him where to find a special plant that will make him younger and stronger. Gilgamesh finds and grabs this plant but a serpent steals it away, forcing him to go back, defeated, to Uruk.

I found it very curious how similar Utnapishtim's story was to Noah's Ark, both dealing with floods and salvation of the same creatures. I didn't really understand however, exactly how he was immortalized and why he couldn't share his secret with Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh- Tablets IX and X

In tablet 9, I noticed that as Gilgamesh came out of the mountains, he entered a beautifuk garden, kind of reminding me of a paradise.

I noticed that in these chapters many of the original QUESTions stated before are answered or at least referred to. As Gilgamesh goes on a journey to seek immortality, grieving his companion Enkidu's death, and hoping to escape from such a terrible destiny himself, I was tempted to think about the questions: Where are we going? Why are we here? They are somewhat answered at the end of tablet 10, when Urshanabi tells Gilgamesh about how unpredictable death is, stating that even though the time is eventually going to arrive, and the date for death is set, it is never revealed.

"There they established that there is life and death. The day of death is set, though not made known" Tablet 10, pg. 64. As I interpret it, we are being told that everything that has a beginning will therefore have an ending. Nevertheless, I believe that, due to his special traits, Gilgamesh will be instructed how to fool death.

Gilgamesh- Tablets VII and VIII

As I read these two tablets and the past ones in general, I noticed how the special bond between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is even more evident. They share a role as companions and warriors against the evil, clearly complementing each other. On one side we have Enkidu, the wild man, able to decipher the complicated environment surrounding them, able to find water within the wilderness for them to drink and offer to the gods. Then we have Gilgamesh, the strongest of all, the gifted. Throughout the journey, they maintain companionship.

When Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu's death, we can see how he is deeply affected by it and it makes me think that this event will influence greatly the ongoing of the story. Gilgamesh calls out to the people and encourages to mourn as well, curses the events and people that led to the situation, and silently talks to his gone companion. He later orders the creation of a monumental statue to honor the greatness of Enkidu, one that will reflect his heroic acts and make sure his memory lives on.

More Gilgamesh- Tablets IV and V

In these "chapters" of the book, I could percieve a little more mythological influence and examples, such as the dreams Gilgamesh has and more specifically Enkidu's interpretations of them, as well as the godess falling in love with Gilgamesh and sending The Bull Of Heaven as a punishment for his offenses. Second of all I noticed that there is a little more action in these chapters, the story moves at a faster pace than before.

Gilgamesh- Tablets II and III

As I read Gilgamesh, considered the oldest work of literature, it was obvious how it dated back to ancient times. As an epic poem, it narrates about the life and adventures of its characters; Gilgamesh, ruler of Ururk, and Enkidu, his loyal companion. I was surprised by how often sexual, and even homosexual conducts arise. At the beggining, when Gilgamesh is told about the existence of a wild man, worthy of him, he decides to sent a prostitue tp seduce and how him better ways. Later on it is expressed how after a breif figh, Enkidu and Gilgamesh hold hands and kiss. I found it rather interesting that in ancient cultures like Sumeria this conducts were rather accepted by society, but nowadays we are filled with prejudice and hate towards diversity.

Hows, Whys, And More About Blogs

A: According to this author where does the word blog come from?

As the author tells us, the word blog derives from the term Web Log or Weblog which emerged form the Web site Robot Wisdom (1997). Later on, in 1999, a Weblog author named Peter Merholz split up the word in two: We blog. The word "blog" was then born.


B: Why might the writer object to a book about blogs? What is the difference between a blog and a book?

From the beggining we can notice how the writer strongly disagrees with the idea of creating a book about blogs. She argues about their different pursposes, extenses, content, and even copyright. " Books are tight. Blogs are reckless. Books are slow. Blogs are fast. Books ask you to stay between their covers. Blogs invite you to stray. Books fret over copyright and libel. Blogs grab whatever they want with impunity-news, gossip, pictures, videos." As she states, the task of creating an anthology of blogs is not only impossible but also contradicting. A book and a blog derive their essence from their unique characteristics, and uniting them would simply end in chaos. It wouldn't be a book, it wouldn't be a blog, neither would it be a book about blogs, it would just result in a unsolvable puzzle.


C: How have blogs changed recently?

It is calculated that there are more than 100 million blogs worldwide, those including discussions over almost any topic possible. From controversial aspects such as politics, sex, or even gossip, to the most casual ones such as photos and cartoons. Until today blogs have suffered a drastic metamorphosis in content and even language usage, however their main purpose has been able to maintain itself from what they were originally meant to do. Most of the time including a biast opinion or point of view, a blog tries to pursuade a specific public to agree with them, handing the writer all the available tools to do so.


D: Why might you read a blog rather than a book, or a magazine, or a newspaper?

Blogs has a unique characteristics that other media lack. Let's begin by looking at the fast pace that a blog handles. With constantly changing information, new comments, and attention-catching links, they are able to entertain and inform a reader on a particular subject. Blogs also posses the ability to observe different points of view by viewing a single discussion, granting the audience the privilege to infer their own opinion.


D: Is there a reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?

It is clear that the majority of blogs are anything but objective. Containing opinions from loads of different sources tells us that they plan to change the way we look at a certain situation. Besides, most blogs discuss about controversial topics which will obviously include heavily personal interpretations and ideas rather than a more general perspective.


E: If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?

For me it is no easy task. I would like it to be appealing and eye-catching but defiantely relating to the content of my blog. This blog in particual is titles Books and Bags clearly reflecting not only that the content will be a bout books but also giving it a creative spark and showing a little about muy personal interests.


F: Find three blogs that mention our summer reading.

1. http://scienceguy288.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/science-soul-book-review-ishmael/
2. http://sportacusjones.blogspot.com/2009/12/novel-ideas.html
3. http://peopleandreasourcesfire.blogspot.com/2009/12/ishmael-extra-credit.html

Welcome, intro!

I would like to start by welcoming you to my personal blog! My name is Laura Hernandez de Alba and I am coursing the 9th grade at Colegio Nueva Granada. This blog is the place where I will post my reflections, thoughts, opinions, and more. Feel free to write down any thoughts that come into your mind during our discussions!