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Gilgamesh

Part 1 of 3

Catherine Murphy LIT 2110 Professor Mahaffey 26 May 2019 For my creative project, I have created a soundtrack for the Epic of Gilgamesh. This story has many great qualities and I would love to see it adapted for the silver screen. To make my “movie” more palatable for modern audiences, I have changed some of the plot points and also woven a more cohesive story line from the original material. The songs are unified through vocalizations, which I find to convey a sense of legend similar to that of Lord of the Rings. I strove to create an experience that deserves to be called “epic.” 

Tumblr only allows five videos per post, so links to the following posts will be at the end of each one.

The Epic of Gilgamesh. Accessed via: http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/

Song: March on the Black Gate Artist: Audiomachine Link: https://youtu.be/B8guLAw5v7w

A mysterious creature haunts the forest, stealing carcasses from traps and causing fear among the hunters. A lot is taken and one hunter is chosen to go to Uruk to plea for help from the king. He arrives to witness the oppression of the people there. Visibly fearful, he approaches King Gilgamesh and tells him about the creature. Gilgamesh is angry at the interruption and has the hunter killed. But on reflection, he decides to send a general, the warrioress Shamhat, to investigate the forest. Shamhat departs in haste. 

I chose this song to open the story because it conveys the urgency of the hunter traveling to Uruk and Shamhat traveling to the forest, as well as the desperation of the people suffering under Gilgamesh’s rule. 

Song: Rescue Me Artist: Eurielle Link: https://youtu.be/XLxiUVKvykI

Gilgamesh has a dream that depicts the coming of a rival and the image of a plant at the bottom of a deep lake. He consults his mother, the priestess Ninsun, who tells him that the dream is a prophecy. In the original Tablet, the phrase is written: “Let him be equal to his [Gilgamesh's] stormy heart, let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace!” Ninsun says something along those lines. Gilgamesh is disturbed by this warning of his undoing. He questions his mother about the plant and she tells him of a magic plant that can restore life, but that which is found amid the Waters of Death. Gilgamesh believes that the dream means he must find the plant and gain eternal life so that he can defeat his coming rival.  While this is happening, Shamhat arrives in the forest and rigs up a clever pit trap, by which she captures the creature. He is a strange, wild man covered in hair. Curious, Shamhat decides to go against her orders and chooses not to kill him. She begins to tame him and names him Enkidu.  This is the only song containing full lyrics. I think it speaks to the need for rescue for all the characters, though they are only just beginning to realize their need for each other. Gilgamesh needs Enkidu to provide that personal balance, Enkidu needs Shamhat to teach him how to be a man, and Shamhat needs Enkidu to help save Uruk.

Song: Dies Irae Artist: Eurielle Link: https://youtu.be/A3ka288UE2Y

Shamhat and Enkidu fall in love as she teaches him how to speak. However, when she asks where he came from, his only answer is, “From the gods.” Though she loves Enkidu, Shamhat is conflicted because she fears how Gilgamesh will punish her for failing to kill the creature. A short time passes, full of passion between the two, but Shamhat is summoned back to Uruk. Gilgamesh is gathering his army to go with him on a mission to find the magic plant of life. This disturbs Shamhat because she knows that Uruk will never be free if Gilgamesh obtains the life plant. She tells Enkidu about her fears. He reacts by declaring that she has finally revealed why he was sent, that he is destined to kill Gilgamesh. She doubts everything he says about the gods and destiny, but agrees to let him accompany her back to Uruk. 

This “love song” is threaded with emotions of fear and uncertainty, mirroring the kind of relationship developing between Shamhat and Enkidu. It starts out simply, a romance (albeit, an unconventional one), but is continually interrupted by intense moments. Shamhat cannot ignore her duty and Enkidu is discovering his destiny. 

Song: Divine Hammer Artist: Audiomachine Link: https://youtu.be/w8eTlm33aNI

On arriving at Uruk, Enkidu sees the suffering and is filled with the kind of wrath only a bestial creature can exhibit. He finds Gilgamesh preparing to leave for his quest. Their confrontation becomes very violent very quickly. It is clear that they are equally matched. Gilgamesh realizes he is facing the rival from his dream, but he gets in a final blow that brings Enkidu down.  

This soundtrack is everything an epic battle scene should have. The jarring lifts and falls sound like the clashing of weapons. The rhythmic pounding at the beginning makes me think of Enkidu’s heavy footfalls as he is coming for Gilgamesh. Of course, the final wham at the end is how the battle ends.

Link to Next Part: https://storytellersl.tumblr.com/post/185162305587/gilgamesh

[storytellersl-blog]

Gilgamesh

Part 2 of 3

Song: Birth of a Hero Artist: Two Steps from Hell Link: https://youtu.be/zu93FnHm90g

Enkidu is at Gilgamesh’s mercy. Gilgamesh asks who Enkidu is and the wild man replies with his name and the statement, “I was sent by the gods to destroy you.” This seems to confirm that Enkidu was in the dream, but Gilgamesh is confused because he was able to defeat him without the flower of life. He turns away, giving Enkidu a chance to renew an attack. When Enkidu doesn’t move, Gilgamesh asks, “Then aren’t you going to try again?” “No,” says Enkidu. “I’m too tired.”  Gilgamesh helps Enkidu stand. They go into the palace together. Enkidu spends the next few days sparring with Gilgamesh, discussing the gods with Ninsun, and spending time with Shamhat. Gilgamesh abandons his quest for the plant of life. He realizes that Enkidu is the creature Shamhat was supposed to kill, but since he doesn’t want to fight with Enkidu again, he doesn’t say anything about it.  A fire-demon named Humbaba is causing devastation in the Cedar Forest. Gilgamesh could do nothing about him before, but now believes that he and Enkidu can defeat the monster together. Enkidu is very reluctant to join the quest. Ninsun encourages him to go, giving him a mother’s blessing, so he finally agrees. 

This song starts with the worn-out warriors, progresses into a kindling friendship, and ends with the two embarking on a quest as brothers-in-arms. 

Song: Akkadian Empire Artist: Audiomachine Link: https://youtu.be/wVLUrF6baMc

As they travel toward the Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh has a dream about the fire-demon. He tells Enkidu about it. Enkidu believes the dream is an omen that they are heading into something they won’t come back from, but Gilgamesh thinks the dream is a prophecy of victory. He tends to think the dream is in his favor because the last one brought him Enkidu. They arrive at the forest.

This song is building up toward an epic confrontation. The fast pace gives me a picture of the two men hustling over mountain ranges and through valleys, punctuated by a verbal battle as they argue about what the dream means. 

Song: United We Stand - Divided We Fall Artist: Two Steps from Hell Link: https://youtu.be/6O6Q1OiF6LI

Seeing Humbaba makes Gilgamesh unsure that they can take him, but makes Enkidu confident. Humbaba mocks Enkidu, which just makes him eager for the fight. He reminds Gilgamesh that it won’t be easy, but they can do it. They launch into the battle, which turns into half-fighting and half-dancing because Gilgamesh and Enkidu begin to have fun pestering the fire-demon.  As they are fighting, Ninsun gets a vision and sends Shamhat to the Cedar Forest. Once they are bored of fighting, Gilgamesh captures Humbaba. 

This song has a lot of epic battle emotions, but also has some lighthearted threads. I think shedding blood over a common enemy is what really brings Gilgamesh and Enkidu together. Listening to this song gives me a picture of the two heroes bounding through the massive cedars around the flame-engulfed demon.

Song: Legions of Doom Artist: Audiomachine Link: https://youtu.be/pLSioLjlsCA

Humbaba begs for his life, promising Gilgamesh riches fit for a king. Gilgamesh is tempted, but Enkidu whacks off the demons head and then claims his sword slipped. Gilgamesh gets mad, but before he can attack Enkidu, Humbaba’s pet demon Bull rips through the forest, summoned by its master’s death. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are tired from playing around with Humbaba, so they are not ready for another fight, but they must face the Bull or be trampled.  This battle is more serious, so they attack with grim determination. The Bull rushes Gilgamesh, but Enkidu takes a stab at it, which makes it turn its weak side toward Gilgamesh. The king takes the shot, slaying the Bull, but it catches Enkidu with its horns as it dies. Gilgamesh runs to his fallen friend. 

I think this song conveys a building sense of desperation. The Bull is hard to kill and there are multiple times both heroes barely escape with their lives. And then, at the end, there’s a breathless moment when the bull stabs Enkidu. 

Link to Next Post: https://storytellersl.tumblr.com/post/185162234587/gilgamesh

[storytellersl-blog]

Gilgamesh

Part 3 of 3

Song: Whispers Artist: Eurielle Link: https://youtu.be/noQLQWnQGz4

Enkidu is bleeding out. Gilgamesh bandages the wound and makes a camp in the forest since Enkidu is too hurt to be moved. He keeps watch over Enkidu all night, but in the morning, the wild man’s condition is worse. Shamhat arrives. Enkidu refuses to speak to either of them in the moments when he is awake. Finally, under Shamhat’s persistence, Enkidu cries that the gods are punishing him for failing to kill Gilgamesh. He is angry with Shamhat for taking him out of the forest, for taming him. She reminds him of their love and of his friendship with Gilgamesh. He kisses her, weeping.  That night, Enkidu dies in her arms. 

This song mirrors the love song, but with much more grief. They’ve all come to realize how important they are to each other. This melody is full of loss.

Song: Prevail Artist: Audiomachine Link: https://youtu.be/38Y4g-_U2o4

With no small amount of courage, Shamhat tells Gilgamesh that Enkidu is dead. They have a heated argument as Gilgamesh denies it because he is overcome with grief. He goes to Enkidu’s body and tries to wake him, but when that doesn’t work, the king just curls up and sobs. As the sun begins to rise, Gilgamesh remembers his dream about the plant of life. He decides to find it to bring Enkidu back. He tells Shamhat about his plan and asks her to go with him, but she chooses to stay and protect Enkidu’s body until Gilgamesh returns. 

I love how this track starts with such sad notes, but then begins to rise like the sun halfway through. I think it would go along with the despair that gives way to hope in Gilgamesh’s heart. 

Song: Norwegian Pirate Artist: Two Steps from Hell Link: https://youtu.be/7S3DDr-TiDQ

Gilgamesh arrives at a massive body of water, the Waters of Death, which kills anything it touches. He cuts down some trees and creates a raft, then floats it to the middle of the huge lake. Below, he can see the plant of life shining in the depths from where is it growing on the lake bottom. He tries to reach it with a long pole and hook, but that doesn’t work.  In the middle of the night, starving lions are attracted to Shamhat’s camp, looking to take Enkidu’s body. She fights them off, sustaining many injuries in the process.  Gilgamesh realizes that there is only one way to get the plant. He ties rocks to his feet and plunges into the water. As he sinks, the water begins to corrode his skin and his soul, peeling away pieces that drift away in the current. By the time he reaches the bottom, he is getting weaker. He grabs a branch of the plant and pulls, snapping it off. Then he tries to cut the ropes tying him to the rocks, but he’s so weak that his knife slips out of his hand.  A lion tackles Shamhat, but she kills it at the last moment. While she is pushing the carcass off of her, another lion begins dragging Enkidu’s body away. She attacks, stabbing the lion in the eye. The lions retreat into the dark forest. A thorn on the stem of the plant stabs Gilgamesh’s palm. He uses it to pry the rope loose. With blood curling from his wound, Gilgamesh rises to the surface of the lake and scrambles onto his raft. 

This song is fast, going along with the urgency of the situation. Gilgamesh and Shamhat are both in mortal peril. However, there is also a sense of victory in it. Gilgamesh, the man who once killed and oppressed his people, is now willing to risk his life for his friend. 

Song: A Nation Born Artist: Immediate Link: https://youtu.be/kbr3Jaxz_1k

Under a rising run, Gilgamesh returns to the forest. He and Shamhat make a potion from the plant, then give a drink to Enkidu. The wild man is brought back to life. They all go home to Uruk.  Years later, the city is transformed under the protection of King Gilgamesh, who rules with the trusted counsel of his advisers, especially the (sometimes physically violent) input of his friend Enkidu. 

I love how climactic and hopeful this song sounds, completely opposite of the first track in this epic. And there is a lovely surge where I picture Enkidu opening his eyes. This ending is not at all like the original tale, but I just couldn’t leave it on a tragic note.