Gilgamesh

[judge dreddd]

As lots of budding writers on here, thought you may like to know that Gilgamesh is on da radio this evening, you can use the 'listen again' feature to hear this for the next 7 days.

'A radio drama version of Gilgamesh, adapted by Jeremy Howe, from the English version by Stephen Mitchell. Music by Paul Dodgson.

The epic of Gilgamesh was written in ancient Mesopotamia over 4000 years ago. Many people think it was the first story to be written down. It tells of the prowess of King Gilgamesh and his acquisition of a friend, Enkidu, and their adventures in the wilderness, battling monsters, in search of immortality.'

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/dramaon3/pip/gci75/" target="_blank">Gilgamesh

[Dog Deever]

Gilgamesh is an interesting tale- many believe the roots of the later story of Noah and the great flood lie here. Apologies to christian dogmatists. On second thoughts- I retract that apology.

[judge dreddd]

yea, i have heard of it but not heard it, so will listen to this, hope it does not clash with that groovy italian guy on bbc2 at 9pm :)

[JOE SOAP]

Gilgamesh still reads as a very modern themed story about friendship, mortality and the cure for death.

[Dark Jimbo]

Is that the one where Enkidu is some sort of horned, hairy wild-man, and Gilgamesh sends a prostitute to sleep with him, whereupon Enkidu loses the power to speak to animals 'cos he's lost his innocence? Or something?

[I, Cosh]

If you're interested in language and the development of narrative, it's worth reading Gilgamesh, but I found it very hard going precisely because of its simple call & response structure.

I'll listen to this in due course, but here's a link to the review that made me buy it, To be honest, I think the guys excavating it have more fun; the intricacy of a carved Sumerian tablet is incredible.

Link: http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/classics/story/0,,909571,00.html" target="_blank">Read it now

[Floyd-the-k]

that's the one.  Not sleeping with harlots or washing gives you the power to speak to animals. Probably.
   Gore Vidal thinks Gilgamesh and Enkidu are gay, others think they're just good friends. Anyway, it's a good story.

[scutfink]

I quite liked the Jim Starlin art...

[auxlen]

call & response structure?

I understand it in its musical context but not in prose. Please explain. Ta muchly.

[Satanist]

Gilgamesh, wasn't that the guy who was always trying to catch the smurfs?














I'll get me coat.

[judge dreddd]

this has rave reviews on the radio 3 board :)

[I, Cosh]

call & response structure?
I understand it in its musical context but not in prose. Please explain. Ta muchly.

Perhaps not the right description.

I found it to be extremely repetitive, with lines and verses coming up again and again. This put me in mind of the responses given in church and in my mind's eye I could see a group of people huddled around a campfire, reciting passages back to the storyteller like a chorus.

[scutfink]

Anyone else catch the Gilgamesh reference on Lost last night?

[BrianO]

Does the Tale include his Time with the Avengers?

[judge dreddd]

nerdy info on this production, which maybe gone tomorrow, as radio 3 only keep 1 weeks worth of most programs !

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/F2620067?thread=3148421" target="_blank">radio 3 nerdy info on this broadcast