Gilgamesh: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell (English) Paperback Book

Description: Gilgamesh by Stephen Mitchell, Reader in Classics Stephen Mitchell Finally available in paperback comes a brilliant new rendering of the oldest epic in the world by esteemed translator and bestselling author Mitchell. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Gilgamesh is considered one of the masterpieces of world literature, but until now there has not been a version that is a superlative literary text in its own right. Acclaimed by critics and scholars, Stephen Mitchells version allows us to enter an ancient masterpiece as if for the first time, to see how startlingly beautiful, intelligent, and alive it is. Author Biography Stephen Mitchell is widely known for his ability to make old classics thrillingly new. His many books include the bestselling Tao Te Ching, the Iliad, Gilgamesh, The Gospel According to Jesus, The Book of Job, Bhagavad Gita, and The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke. His website is StephenMitchellBooks.com. Review "A flowing, unbroken version that reads as effortlessly as a novel...with startlingly familiar hopes, fears, and lusts. Mitchell...cracks open the lessons in Gilgamesh by rebuilding its clay fragments into a poem easy on the eyes and the transcultural imagination....Vibrant, earnest, unfussily accessible.... The muscular eloquence and rousing simplicity of Mitchells four-beat line effectively unleash the grand vehemence of the epics battle scenes, and the characters ominous visions emerge with uncanny clarity." -- The New York Times Book Review "Beautifully retold and a page-turner in the bargain. Like Seamus Heaneys recent retelling of Beowulf, this book proves that in the right hands, no great story ever grows stale." -- Newsweek"Seamus Heaney isnt the only one intent on making the classics relevant to our times. Mitchell...offers a limpid retelling of this story about absolute power.... Its message of love, loss, and endurance [is] rendered in fresh, forceful language." -- Los Angeles Times"The mysterious, sinewy surge of his verse [is] thoroughly modern, yet an uncanny evocation of the primeval." -- The Boston Globe"Utterly enthralling reading, thanks to Mr. Mitchells skill and flair in recasting the ancient text." -- The New York Sun Long Description Gilgameshis considered one of the masterpieces of world literature, but until now there has not been a version that is a superlative literary text in its own right. Acclaimed by critics and scholars, Stephen Mitchells version allows us to enter an ancient masterpiece as if for the first time, to see how startlingly beautiful, intelligent, and alive it is. Review Quote "Utterly enthralling reading, thanks to Mr. Mitchells skill and flair in recasting the ancient text."--The New York Sun Description for Reading Group Guide Questions and Topics for DiscussionPROLOGUE:The narrator of the epic introduces Gilgamesh in a unique way; he doesnt mention his name until the last line of the prologue.1) What effect does the narrator create as he introduces the hero?2) What kind of "portrait" does the narrator give of Gilgamesh?3) Many of the sentences in the Prologue are imperative. Why does the narrator command the reader to do this and that?BOOK I:1) This book opens with a positive description of Gilgamesh ending with the word "perfect." Then, in the next paragraph the description changes, and the word "arrogant" is used. What is the "true" picture of Gilgamesh?2) When the goddess Aruru forms the savage man, Enkidu, another problem is presented. He is a wild man roaming the forest with the animals, and the trapper cannot make a living since the fearsome Enkidu is tearing out his traps and freeing the animals. Why do you think the Gilgamesh author made this "double for Gilgamesh, his second self" so different from the city-dwelling Gilgamesh?3) The goddesss solution to the trappers problem is to introduce the wild man to sex with the woman Shamhat. A priestess of the goddess of love, who has dedicated herself to being a servant of the goddess, Shamhat might be called a "sacred prostitute," but she is not out for personal gain. Her union with Enkidu changes him in many ways. What are they?4) Book I foreshadows the friendship theme for both Gilgamesh and Enkidu. What in the text supports this?BOOK II:1) Now that Enkidu has gained some self-awareness, Shamhat continues to teach Enkidu. What lessons does he learn from her in this book?2) The book begins with a violent fight but ends in the beginnings of friendship. What is your theory about why this happens? Is there any information in the text to support you?BOOK III:1) Much of this book is a debate between the two friends. The argument is over whether the two should journey to the Cedar Forest and kill the monster Humbaba. What is Enkidus objection to the adventure?2) What is Gilgameshs reason for insisting on the adventure?3) What is the elders objection to the adventure? What is his mother Ninsuns attitude?BOOK IV:1) This book is notable for its repetitive descriptions and the interpretation of dreams as in other epics like Beowulf and those by Homer. Each day the two men travel exactly the same amount of miles, set up camp the same way, and each night Gilgamesh has an ominous dream that Enkidu interprets as favorable. Repetition, interpretation of dreams -- what do you see as the importance of this book to the narrative?2) The monster Humbaba is portrayed as pathetic, comic, and scary -- yet we, as readers, sympathize with him. Why? What support do you find in the text for this sympathy?BOOK V:1) The two friends exhibit real fear in this book. In this way, they are unlike other heroes in later epics -- Beowulf and Odysseus, for example. For Gilgamesh and Enkidu, fear is not a shameful trait. In fact, it works well in this book. Why? What does sharing their fear accomplish?2) With the help of the god Shamash, the two defeat the monster in an epic battle. When Humbaba begs for his life, why does Enkidu persuade Gilgamesh to refuse?3) Interpret, if you can, the repetitive lines that come right after the terrible mutilation of Humbaba:"A gentle rain fell onto the mountains.A gentle rain fell onto the mountains."BOOK VI:1) After Gilgameshs victory over the monster, the goddess Ishtar propositions him. Why does Gilgamesh refuse the goddess?2) Of the six insulting examples Gilgamesh throws at Ishtar, which one is most convincing to you? Why?3) Deeply insulted, Ishtar prevails on her father, the sky-god, to let her have the Bull of Heaven to wreak vengeance on Gilgamesh and his city. The images of the gigantic bull are fierce, bu Details ISBN0743261690 Author Reader in Classics Stephen Mitchell Short Title GILGAMESH Language English ISBN-10 0743261690 ISBN-13 9780743261692 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 892.1 Year 2006 Residence US Affiliation Harvard University University of Exeter University of Exeter Universit Subtitle A New English Version DOI 10.1604/9780743261692 Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2006-01-01 NZ Release Date 2006-01-01 US Release Date 2006-01-01 UK Release Date 2006-01-01 Pages 304 Publisher Simon & Schuster Publication Date 2006-01-01 Imprint Simon & Schuster Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:2628761;

Price: 31.92 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2024-11-16T06:08:15.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD