Gilgamesh:
A fifth grade epic
Scene 1
Chorus:
Our story begins at Uruk of the walls. Behold, is it not the noblest of cities? Observe the walls. If
they be not made all of fired bricks! Inspect them, how they are molded together. Look out over
the extent of the city. See how it is beautifully arranged, One third being houses and dwellings,
one third being groves of trees, one third the precinct of the temples!
Gilgamesh:
I am Gilgamesh the mighty ruler of the most splendid city of all the seven cities of Sumer. It is
the towering walls that protect us from all sorts of evil; armies of enemy kings, floods, wild
beasts and unfriendly gods; but most of all the evil monster Humbaba who lives on the mountain
breathing fire, smoke and soot that covers that face of Shamash, the god of the sun!
Elder 1:
Oh mighty Gilgamesh, the walls are tall enough to protect us, who has need of such high walls?
Elder 2:
It has become such a heavy burden to build the walls.
Elder3:
We want to rest!
Gilgamesh:
No, do not question your king who is two thirds god and one third man! Go away from me now!
Scene 2 (At the top of the wall at night)
Chorus:
Before the mighty land of Egypt
Reared its golden mask of death
In the land between two rivers
Lived a king named Gilgamesh
Long ago, far away
Ancient whispers formed of clay
So true, So true
Cruel was he to all his subjects
For mighty was this Gilgamesh
Strongest man in all of uruk
Citizens in great distress
Mighty king- Gilgamesh
Ruled his city- all oppressed
So true, So true
And so the people cried to Anu
To put an end to the king
Aururu made the beast Enkidu,
to put an end to Gilgamesh!
Elder 1:
O Father Anu, we have come to complain!
Elder 2:
It is about Gilgamesh, he continues to make us build the city walls higher and higher!
Elder 3:
He does not listen to his faithful servants, who ask him for rest.
Elder 1:
Mothers no longer see their sons.
Elder 2:
Wine sellers cannot sell their wines
Elder 3:
Musicians are idle, merchants have ceased their trading!
Elder 1:
There is no business, no leisure!
Elders Together:
Father Anu, you must help us! You must punish Gilgamesh!
Anu:
What do you want me to do? Do you want me to throw rocks out of heaven at the king? We gods
rather like the walls, it is very entertaining to watch you mortals work.
Elder 1:
Perhaps you will listen to our plan, for we do have a plan.
Elder 2:
Yes a plan!
Elder 3:
Yes a plan!
Together:
Yes a plan!
Anu:
Enough! Go away, I like Gilgamesh. He is a fine fellow and perfectly fearless.
Shamash:
He tames lions with his bare hands. Besides he is part god, I am sure he knows best!
Ishtar:
Father, listen to them, help them. I will not see mothers bereft of sons and no leisure nor
business.
Elder 1:
We want you create a man…
Elder 2:
A man taller than Gilgamesh…
Elder 3:
And more powerful than Gilgamesh…
Elder 1:
A wild beast of a man…
Elder 2:
One that is hairy…
Elder 3:
Unconquerable!
Elder 1:
Who will come to the city and attack the king.
All elders together:
And destroy him!
Ishtar:
Aruru, you are responsible for making the human form. Do as these elders ask. Make a man so a
like to Gilgamesh that he could be his brother!
Aruru:
I will make this man out of clay, he will be wild and unkempt and from his head will arise two
majestic horns like that of a wild beast. I will carry him to the cedar forest and there is will live.
His name shall be Enkidu.
Elders:
Thank you Ishtar, your beauty and power we praise!
Scene 3 Enkidu in the cedar forest
Chorus:
There he slept for some time, until he awoke and looked around. He didn’t know who he was or
where he had come from, but one thing was certain; he was hungry! After eating some figs that
tasted good and some cedar sprigs that he didn’t like and spit out, he came upon a bubbling
spring. The pool became his living place. His first friend was the gazelle and he even wrestled a
lion and when he injured the lion he nursed it back to health and they two became friends! He
learned their language and talked with the animals!
Enkidu:
(Makes animal sounds.)
Scene 4 Hunter in the forest.
Hunter:
Great, my traps are empty! Someone or something has broken this one! (terrified) is that a bear
or a man?
(sees Enkidu and flees)
Enkidu:
Huh?
Hunter:
Father! Father! Where are you?
Father:
What is wrong my son!?
Hunter:
I saw a wild man who is over 7 cubits tall and all covered in hair, who was breaking my traps
down by the cedar forest!
Father:
Are you sure my boy? If you don’t swear to the gods that you are telling the truth you will brind
disgrace to our family name!
Hunter:
I give you my word father, I am as true as the stars in heaven.
Father:
Then we will travel to Uruk to tell King Gilgamesh.
Scene 5 Hunter and Father at Uruk
(busy city street)
Merchant:
I heard he is covered with hair from head to toe!
Old person:
I heard he is taller than a giant…
Child:
And eats grass with the gazelles!
Hunter:
I have seen this wild man with my very eyes!
Elder 1:
You have? Then I shall take you to see the king at once!
(Enter the palace of Gilgamesh)
Elder 2:
O Gilgamesh, there is a wild man that terrorizes the countryside!
Elder 3:
He robs the hunter of his game and disperses the herds of the shepherds.
Hunter:
It is true your royal highness, he has destroyed my traps and I fear he is more powerful than the
mighty king Gilgamesh.
Elders:
It’s true, you must destroy him Gilgamesh!
Gilgamesh:
Then it is your wish that I would go out and kill him? Not at all; I will send Harim, the servant of
the goddess Ishtar to woo this wild man.
Elders:
What!
Gilgamesh:
Harim step forward, I have a task for you. It is one that turns the boldest hunters numb with fear.
Harim:
I am not afraid.
Elder 1:
This is not a task for a girl. O King; it is a task for a brave hero like yourself.
Gilgamesh:
Tut tut, the brave and powerful Harim will soften the heart of this wild man and bring him back
to the city!
Harim:
I will tame this wild man and I will lead him to the city.
Gilgamesh:
I marvel at your bravery!
(Harim leaves with the hunter to forest)
Hunter:
Do not enter the forest. You will surely die!
Harim:
I can tell you are scared, go home and leave me. I will go by myself.
Hunter:
I am scared for my life!
Scene 6 Taming the beast.
Chorus:
She went among the dark cedars, she listened to the sounds of birds and of monkeys chattering.
There were bits of sunlight filtering through the branches that lit up flowers and moss.
Harim:
How peaceful a place this is! How could any evil thing lurk here? Oh look, there is a fresh
bubbling spring.
(enter gazelle and enkidu, gazelle notices Harim and runs away. Enkidu stays, she sits smelling a
flower. She sees him and is frozen with fear. He stands still and she slowly stands)
Harim:
Hello, I am Harim. (no answer) what is your name?
Enkidu:
(babbling like a monkey)
Harim:
(holding out her hand and he takes it)
You are so gentle and calm. You look like a wild man, but I can tell that there is goodness and
warmth in you.
Enkidu:
(puppy dog sound)
Harim:
Oh no, how can I lead this great fellow, so gentle and innocent back to the city of Uruk; where
people will throw him in a cage and possibly kill him. I must first teach you the ways of my
people and the life of the city. First you need to speak our language.
Chorus:
Harim was patient and kind to Enkidu can taught him her language so that they could speak
together.
Harim:
(Enkidu)
Rock. (rock) Tree. (tree) Animal. (animal) human. (human) Hand. Arm. Head.
Chorus:
Soon he could speak to her with ease.
Harim:
Now you need to be cleaned up. A bath and a hair combing will go a long way. Finally you need
some clothes to cover yourself.
Enkidu:
Thank you Harim. You have taught me so much. (enter an animal and runs away in fear) O
Harim, what has been done? How have I made my animal friends into strangers? Why do they
run from me?
Harim:
You are no longer a wild creature, no longer a beast of the forest. Enkidu is now a man and he
will live among men and be eminent. Now we shall go to the city.
Enkidu:
Please show me the way, you are my guide.
Scene 7: The first dream
Ninsun sits praying, enter Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh:
Mother, I’ve had a curious dream!
Ninsun:
How did the dream go?
Gilgamesh:
I was walking through the streets of Uruk, as I drew near the temple of Ishtar the sky opened and
an axe with double edges was hurled down at me. I dodged it but it came so close I could feel the
wind on my cheek. I fell to the ground, when I awoke I was shivering.
Ninsun:
I can tell you the meaning of the dream, o Gilgamesh! It is a warning!
Gilgamesh:
Tell me what to do mother!
Ninsun:
The axe, that is a man as like to you as a brother and the axe is a weapon of battle, oh my son in
your dream you fell in battle!
Gilgamesh:
No one can defeat me! I am more powerful than any man.
Ninsun:
Do not go into the open places so full of pride and arrogance. Do not approach the temple of
Ishtar.
Gilgamesh:
I am not afraid mother! Am I not two parts god and only one part man? Why should I fear and
man or thing?
Ninsun:
I fear evil will come to you son, if you don’t change your boastful and cruel ways!
Scene 8: The Wildman vs The King
Harim:
Come with me to the temple, we must first go through the streets.
(people gathered pointing at Enkidu)
Enkidu:
Stop one of them, Harim, so that I can ask them why they hurry so.
Old man:
I am on my way to the temple. Today the will people will choose a bride for Gilgamesh the king!
Merchant:
But let’s hope that this time he will accept our choice, for he is a most willful king.
Harim:
Come Enkidu, we must quickly get to the temple so that I can prepare. Stay here at the gate of
the temple, let no one enter.
Enter Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh:
Let me past! I am the king!
Enkidu:
No one shall enter by order of the priestess Harim!
Crowd:
He defies the king!
Gilgamesh:
Out of my way beast!
Enkidu:
I have put my foot down.
(They begin to fight)
Crowd:
Someone stop them!
Elders:
Don’t stop them! Whatever happens is the will of the god!
(Gilgamesh is defeated, but Enkidu helps him up. They laugh)
Enkidu:
I salute you, Gilgamesh, lion and great fighter.
Gilgamesh:
Welcome to my great city, O god like Enkidu, my brother you are my match.
Chorus:
Gilgamesh had meet his match and his was no longer cruel and boastful! After many glorious
adventures in the city, many weeks past.
Scene 9 The Monster Humbaba
Gilgamesh:
I’m Bored. Day and Night I dream of great enterprise. Whenever I close my eyes a great voice
comes to me and says “ Arouse yourself, Gilgamesh, there are great things to be done.
Enkidu:
Brother I fear ill will come of you if you do not settle down and start a family.
Gilgamesh:
You and I, Enkidu, we will climb the mountain and destroy the monster Humbaba.
Enkidu:
I fear for your life and mine! Stop with these foolish notions.
Gilgamesh:
Are we not the bravest of men? Are you no longer my friend and brother?
Enkidu:
I am still your friend and brother who cares for your life more than my own. Humbaba is no
mortal, he is a guardian of the gods.
Gilgamesh:
The monster is an everlasting evil. It oppresses the people, day and night it spews fire and ash on
the city. Oh enkidu, even if I fail they will say “Gilgamesh died a hero’s death!” I will make an
everlasting name for myself and my life will not be as an empty wind.
Enkidu:
I will not go with you. This is a foolish errand. (leaves)
Gilgamesh:
My brother has grown timid. He no longer seeks adventure.
Elder 1:
O Gilgamesh, do undertake this adventure!
Elder 2:
Your heart has carried away with you.
Elder 3:
O King, settle down, let your life be tranquil.
Gilgamesh:
Save your wise counsel for enkidu, he will listen. I will go alone. (leaves)
Ninsun: (enters with enkidu)
If the king stubbornly insists on risking his life and defying the gods then enkidu you must go
and accompany the king and keep him safe.
Enkidu:
May Shamash stand beside us.
(Enter Gilgamesh)
Enkidu:
My head is bowed, I am your brother and your servant I will go with you.
Gilgamesh:
You are a true friend and brother!
Crowds:
Praise be to Gilgamesh! Praise be to Enkidu!
May your feet carry you back to the city safely!
Ninsun:
I will pray for you both that you both will never fail!
Chorus:
The two travelled for many days until they came to gates of Humbaba!
Enkidu:
We have traveled for fifty double hours. Let us rest here by the magnificent cedar gate, before
we enter.
Gilgamesh:
No, we must press on. Let’s open the gate.
Enkidu:
Brother! I am frozen with fear! Help me!
Gilgamesh:
Enkidu, Hold on to me! I will give you strength. Together we can open the gate!
Both:
WE did it!
Gilgamesh:
I will cut one of the cedar trees to show Humbaba I am not afraid of him.
(monster sounds)
Humbaba:
RAWR!
Enkidu:
Look! There is the evil humbaba! Breathing fire and smoke!
(They fight)
(Enkidu and Gilgamesh slay the monster)
Gilgamesh:
See brother that wasn’t so hard.
Scene 10: The Wooing of Ishtar
Ishtar:
What is the terrible Fracas? I will destroy whoever bothers me. Oh, look at those heros, they are
brave! Especially Gilgamesh the king.
Gilgamesh:
Enkidu, am I dreaming again? Did I hear a voice?
Enkidu:
I too heard them!
Ishtar:
O king of Uruk, I have watched your battle with my servant Humbaba. Terrible will be your
reckoning!
Gilgamesh:
Save your threats, I am not afraid!
Ishtar:
I am prepared to forgive you, Gilgamesh. I will take you as my husband and set you among the
stars.
Enkidu:
We need no favors from you.
Ishtar:
See how I weep because of your cruelty. My tears are like liquid starlight and splash on the
ground.
Gilgamesh:
I know about your evil love, mighty Ishtar!
Ishtar:
I do not offer my love lightly! Gilgamesh kings will bow before you!
Enkidu:
Whomever you love, you soon tire of and destroy.
Gilgamesh:
If I loved you, you would destroy me.
Ishtar:
Ahhhh! Gilgamesh, you will pay for your cruel rejection of my love!
Gilgamesh:
Come brother, back to the city to rejoice in our victory!
Crowd:
All hail Gilgamesh! All hail Enkidu!
Scene 11: The Bull of Heaven
Ishtar:
O father Anu, I will have vengeance and you must help me!
Enlil:
What is your plan, Ishtar?
Ishtar:
Father Anu will create the bull of heaven that will destroy the city of Uruk!
Enlil:
It will trample all the people, it will kill Gilgamesh, how fun!
Anu:
I will do nothing of the sort, you have earned this insult.
Shamash:
It was I who planted the idea in the brave heart of Gilgamesh, Humbaba is an everlasting evil!
Enlil:
Oh Shamash, are you god or mortal? Why don’t you go down and join the humans.
Ishtar:
Father, create the bull of heaven or I will make a famine that will starve everyone on earth!
Anu:
Fine, I will do it!
Crowd:
Ahhh! A bull is destroying the city.
Gilgamesh:
Come Enkidu, we must save the city.
Soliders:
We are no match!
(Enter Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they defeat the bull)
Ishtar:
Woe to Gilgamesh and Enkidu who dishonored my name.
Crowd:
Hail Gilgamesh!
He who has seen everything,
He who knows everything,
He stands seven cubit high,
Two thirds of him god,
One third man,
He is the most glorious among heroes,
He is the most eminent among men, and Enkidu his companion!