The Epic of Gilgamesh
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The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh was a story that dreams were very significant in. Gilgamesh was of a Mesopotamian culture and dreams had meaning to them. Gilgamesh had several dreams and every one of them are valued in the Mesopotamian culture and they tell us about the dreamers mind. The three dreams that one could reflect on is the one where Gilgamesh finds out Endiku is coming, the one where Gilgameshs destiny is decreed, and last but not least the one after he went to the Land of Humbaba.
The first dream starts in the first part of the story where Gilgamesh is warned that Endiku is coming to visit him. Everyone knows that Gilgamesh is a dreamer and his dreams always foretell what is about to happen. This dream is valued in Mesopotamian culture because Gilgamesh needed to know someone was coming to find him so he could be warned and be on guard. This tells us that the dreamers mind is focusing and looking forward to things to come but also being very cautious to not get caught in a trap.
The second dream that Gilgamesh was when Gilgameshs destiny is decreed and Endiku interprets the dream for him. They became best friends and Endiku looked up to Gilgamesh. The dream is valued in Mesopotamian culture because every hero has a fate. Gilgamesh was considered a hero so of course he had to die. But he died as a hero. This tells us that the dreamers mind is kind of worried about what is going to become of him and he is stronger than man but he still has to die like one.
The third dream happens after Gilgamesh and Endiku go to the land of Humbaba. This dream frightened him more than the others. This is valued in Mesopotamian culture because everyone had warned him about going to this land but he went anyways. It is like the old saying ” When you play with fire, you are going to get burnt.” This tell us that the dreamers mind is now worried whether he made the right decision to go or not.
The Epic of Gilgamesh was a one of a kind story. He was a hero that had had dreams. His dreams were valued in Mesopotamian culture and they also told about the dreamers state of mind. Gilgamesh has a lot of hidden messages and is an ancient story that will be read time and time again. It is unique how in old stories the heros always had dreams but someone else always had to interpret the dreams for them. It is usually and old prophet or a close friend. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a classic and a good read.