Paper Topics | Fall 2024 | Paper 1
Due Saturday, September 21, 5:00 p.m., to your conference leader.
Length: 4-5 double-spaced pages (1,250-1,500 words)
In the course of The Epic of Gilgamesh, there are multiple moments where the text pauses to describe Gilgamesh. One such moment occurs in the following passage: Tablet 1, lines 29-48 [page 2]. In your paper do a close reading of the passage and discuss how it characterizes Gilgamesh. You may consider, for instance, how it reflects on his journey, his relationship with the community or the environment, or the nature of his rulership. Combine detailed attention to the specifics of the passage with consideration of its larger thematic significance in the work as a whole.
This question asks you to practice “close reading.” Your analysis of the passage should consist of close attention to aspects of its language, such as imagery, diction (word choice), and the use of repetition. Think about how the patterns you notice contribute to the meaning of the text as a whole.