Quote 4
"Gilgamesh, you came here exhausted and worn out.
What can I give you so you can return to your land?
I will disclose to you a thing that is hidden, Gilgamesh,
a … I will tell you.
There is a plant … like a boxthorn,
whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose.
If your hands reach that plant you will become a young man again." (11.269-278)
Why does Utanapishtim give Gilgamesh the flower? Doesn't it kind of counteract his whole tough-love teaching style on the whole death issue? Is he afraid that Mrs. Utanapishtim will make him sorry if he doesn't take her suggestion? (She was the one who told him to call Gilgamesh back and give him something at least for his labors.) Or does Utanapishtim somehow know that Gilgamesh will lose the flower, and that this experience will be the straw that broke the camel's back—and that will make him finally accept wisdom?
Quote 5
"Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed (a sheep).
I offered incense in front of the mountain-ziggurat.
Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place,
and (into the fire) underneath (or: into their bowls) I poured reeds, cedar, and myrtle.
The gods smelled the savor,
the gods smelled the sweet savor,
and collected like flies over a (sheep) sacrifice." (11.155-171)
Here, Utanapishtim explains what he did after the Flood. At first glance, this looks like a straightforward picture of the "you-scratch-my-back, I'll-scratch-yours" relationship that is typical between mortals and gods in ancient mythology. Utanapishtim gets the sacrifices in order, and the gods gratefully cluster round. But, um, didn't the gods just try to kill everyone?
Quote 6
"How alike are the sleeping(?) and the dead.
The image of Death cannot be depicted.
(Yes, you are a) human being, a man(?)!
After Enlil had pronounced the blessing,
the Anunnaki, the Great Gods, assembled.
Mammetum, she who fashions destiny, determined destiny with them.
They established Death and Life,
but they did not make known 'the days of death.'" (10.302-309)
Here, Utanapishtim tries to show Gilgamesh that death is a sacred limitation ordained by gods.When Gilgamesh finally backs down from his quest, are his reasons religious? If not, what are they?