Hi folks! This week I’d like you to share your reactions to either the fight with Humbaba or Ishtar’s meeting with Gilgamesh. What moment or detail stands out to you? What’s this story telling us about Sumer and what it means not to be a god?

Try to interpret as well as describe your reactions. Add a new idea to the discussion, or a new angle on what’s being talked about. The Epic exists to tell us what’s important to the people of Sumer, and it’s up to us to unpack its imagery and intent.

I found it interesting how Gilgamesh and Enkidu were so confident going into the fight with Humbaba but became terrified once he actually appeared. What stood out to me is how powerful and threatening nature was to the Sumerians, like it couldn’t be controlled by humans. I think the author is showing us that even someone who is part divine still has limits and fears. At the same time, courage and reputation mattered because they were ways to face those fears and make life meaningful. I’d like to know more about how this fight shapes Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s journey after.

I was really struck by the fight with Humbaba, especially the moment when Gilgamesh hesitates before killing him. Humbaba begs for mercy, and for a second it seems like Gilgamesh might spare him, but Enkidu steps in and pushes him to finish the job. That moment stood out to me because it shows how complex these characters are. T0hey’re not just fearless heroes, but people who struggle with guilt, fear, and ambition. I think this scene tells us a lot about what the Sumerians valued, particularly the idea that glory and legacy often come through violence and risk, even when it feels morally wrong. At the same time, it makes me wonder if the story is questioning those values, since killing Humbaba ends up angering the gods and leads to Enkidu’s death. It seems like the epic is showing that striving to be more than human, to be more powerful or more remembered, always comes with a cost. And maybe it is also suggesting that the gods are not necessarily fair or just, so humans have to figure out right and wrong for themselves. It feels like a surprisingly relatable idea for such an ancient story.

1. I found it interesting how both Gilgamesh and Enkidu took it upon themselves to disobey both Enlil & Ishtar even though they are both seen as Gods. Especially with Ishtar, I would've never expected to see someone with her status throw a fit over being rejected. But then again, I thought Gilgamesh would've loved to be with Ishtar cause of the status and power he could attain.
2. I think the behavior Ishtar displayed was a way to humanize her especially with the tantrum she threw in front of her father. For people to feel closer to their God, they tend to apply human attributes or behavior to them. I also see this with statues built with faces resembling humans.
3. I'd like to find out more about the dream Enkidu was getting ready to tell Gilgamesh. I also would like to see if both Enkidu and Gilgamesh will face punishment for killing Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven as well as cutting does the cedar trees.

I found one of the final lines of tablet 6 very telling of the changes happening in the story and it jumps out at me most being the respect Gilgamesh now gets from his people due to his actions being that of a leader rather than a tyrant, stating in lines 169 to 175 of The Epic of Gilgamesh , Tablet VI. Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven ;

"As they drove along the streets of Uruk,

the people were gathered to gaze [on them.]170

Gilgamesh spoke a word to the serving girls of [his palace:]

‘Who is the finest among men?

Who the most glorious of fellows?’

‘Gilgamesh is the finest among men!

[Gilgamesh the most] glorious of fellows!’"

Transforming from a state which feared what could come next from their leader to regaling him as the most fairest. This all being from a swap from being a nuisance which attacked the city state to that of a protector and someone to be commended. I think the author was trying to communicate that the change in Gilgamesh to that of a hero-king. What I would like to know is why Enkidu keeps receiving these premonitions rather than Gilgamesh, is he just considered too indifferent to take the warnings serious or is does merely come from Enkidu connection with nature, or if it even has any relevance at all.

When reading tablet 5, I found it interesting that Humbaba begged Gilgamesh for mercy. Humbaba was the sacred guardian of Cedar forest, known to be terrifying, and in this tablet, Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to kill him in order to achieve fame. When Humbaba finds himself about to be slain by two humans, he begins pleading for his life, offering to become a servant. If these sacred figures are representative of nature and how unpredictable and untamable it can be, then I think the author is trying to show how anything and anyone will succumb to mortality. As strong as Humbaba is, he realized that in this moment he would either be spared or killed, and so he tells Gilgamesh that if he chooses to kill him, he would be cursed. I think the author is also trying to tell them that humans will never be able to control the forces of nature, and that if they try, they will be punished for it. The author wanted the people of then to know that they shouldn't challenge the laws of the world in any way unless they were willing to face divine punishment. Overall I think its both meant to convey to the audience that mortality is inevitable to all regardless of where you stand on the hierarchy and that humans shouldn't try to control nature because even if they manage to do so for a little bit, nature will always come back wild and unpredictable.

I found it interesting how Gilgamesh slayed Humbaba and brought his head back with him. I think it was very interesting how Gilgamesh, the tyrant like ruler, who has done nothing by chaotic things. For example, sleep with women before their wedding nights and send men to fight him. He was considering sparing Humbaba. On the other hand, Endiku who is more responsible and level headed convinced Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba. I think the author is trying to show us that Gilgamesh is a dynamic character, that is starting to grow from how he was in the beginning to now. I think there are harsh decisions kings and gods must make to keep balance in their civilization. I do want to know more about Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s journey after this scene.

What jumped out is gilgamish is strong and worthy. he will not let anyone take him out. He was being careful after rejecting ishtar because he doesnt want to get fooled.

I think the author trying to communicate is that what happens in reality where people face.

I would like to know what happens after the rejection.

What stood out to me to me was when Gilgamesh used his wisdom in seeing on how every person that was with this goddess was given a bad end and that stood out to me because I think the author was trying to show how to use wisdom in the right now as even through overwhelming odds Gilgamesh overcame them just to get his freedom in which he so wants as well as his friend as well.

I would like to find more about the creatures that the goddess controls and how they in turn effect nature and how the bull might represent the force of nature as a whole.

After reading both stories that you mentioned I think I would like to talk about the fight with Humbaba helped me understand that Mesopotamian ideas of morality went beyond simple bravery. Gilgamesh and Enkidu enter the cedar forest, which is sacred to the god Enlil. They killed the sacred guardian Humbaba. This truley a heroic move by the them but still it hampers the divine boundaries. The moment when Humbaba was begging for mercy and offer to serve him instead of gods, I asked my self what he is going to do now? show mercy or not. The moment he killed Humbaba I realized that even though he gained the fame, he triggers the gods anger on him. I think the story was to tell the people of the then, that even their almighty kings were under the power of gods and had to respect the gods order. But later on the story took a crucial turn when Ishtar met with Gilgamesh and proposed him I thought he might accept it and the god will forgive him but he refuses and now the gods are angry on him again. I'm interested to know more about this story because I want to know that what happened after that and what is going to be happened at the end.

I chose Gilgamesh, Tablet 5: The Combat with Humbaba for my response. One passage that stood out to me was when Gilgamesh and Enkidu confront Humbaba in the Cedar Forest, and Humbaba pleads for his life, offering to serve them if they spare him. This moment struck me because it shows a tension between power and vulnerability. Despite Humbaba’s fearsome reputation and supernatural strength, he faces mortality and is ultimately at the mercy of human heroes.

I think the author is trying to communicate that mortality is an unavoidable aspect of existence, even for those who seem invincible. Encounters like this illustrate that life is fragile and that courage, decision-making, and moral choice define how humans respond to it. By showing Humbaba’s vulnerability, the story emphasizes that all beings—divine, monstrous, or human—must confront limits and consequences.

I would like to find out more about the cultural significance of Humbaba in Mesopotamian mythology. Was he considered purely a monster, or did he have symbolic connections to natural forces like the forest? Understanding this could deepen my appreciation of what the story teaches about life, death, and mortality.

I like how Gilgamesh is maturing and growing and maturing as the story keeps going. For example how gilgamesh is rejecting Ishtar and how he decides to not become another toy even tho he at one point craved power. It shows me his moral level is changing and self growth. Anothe thing the author is showing how he is siding with his human side rather then his god side. I want to know what else will changes on him and how will it impact the story

While reading tablet 5 and 6, I really took a liking to 6 more. One detail that stood out to me was Gilgamesh insulting Ishtar, comparing her to destructive objects like a “shoe that bites the foot of its owner”. This was interesting to me, as it shows that Gilgamesh is rejecting that divine authority, like he does not agree with it, and begins to critique that power. While reading, the author warns about Gilgamesh’s actions, as being really proud can come back to get him, due to the unpredictability of Gods. Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s victory versus the Bull of Heaven was a good victory, but it’s bound to bring back trouble. This is also given as a reminder when Enkidu’s nightmares occur once again. That part really intrigued me, and I want to learn more on the connection between the Bull of Heaven and the stars, since they may have a connection but I’m not sure as to what.

While reading tablet 5 and 6, one detail that stood out to me as interesting was the way in which Gilgamesh and Enkidu are in a way defying the order of things set by the gods. For instance, it is mentioned in Tablet 5 that Enlil is the one who has set Humbaba as guardian of the forest and right when Gilgamesh considers sparing him, Enkidu convinces him to kill him off before the gods find out about this. It is interesting because Gilgamesh is a demi-god and Enkidu is created by the gods but is not a god. One would assume that they would have more reverence to the higher powers over them. Similarly in tablet 6, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill off the bull of heaven and Enkidu disrespects Ishtar by insulting her. I believe the author was trying to communicate that there is a difference between the divine and the natural and the way things are interpreted by both. Although killing the bull of heaven ultimately would spare destruction in Uruk, the gods may not share that perspective. I would like to find out what will happen to Gilgamesh and Enkidu as a result of the killing of Humbaba and the bull of heaven in the next tablet.

Ishtar’s character in Tablet 6 interested me the most. Despite being an immortal god who is on a higher level of existence than humans, Ishtar acts incredibly spoiled and fleeting, having no other care other than finding lovers. I think the author(s) is trying to communicate how Ishtar and the gods’ immortality has led to them becoming entitled and conceited since they rarely if ever have to deal with suffering compared to the humans they view as lesser. I’d like to find out more about Ishtar and the rest of the Sumerian pantheon.

What stood out to me in this story was Gilgamesh pushing away Ishtar despite a tyrannical ruler who takes many wives. It's surprising that Gilgamesh resisted temptation because she offered him all of the money and power in the world but he. refused to fall in her trap. The author might be trying to communicate mortality and morality because despite everything Gilgamesh built as a king, he doesn't want to give into the power of the gods. Gilgamesh also wants to prove is might as a human king and not as a servant to gods. I'm curious to see how his beliefs are tested as the story progress where his actions could have consequences.

An important detail that strikes me as important is the way Gilgamesh is sort of repulsed by Ishtar when a few tablets ago he was basically committing acts that are on the same level as what Ishtar is doing (droit de seigneur). This was interesting to me because it shows us the different evils in that world. The author was trying to communicate that some people are full of pride through the way Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the Bull of Heaven and mock the goddess Ishtar.

I would like to find out if Ishtar is going to continue to try and harm Gilgamesh for what he and Enkidu did. 

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the part that stood out to me was when Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed Humbaba and then had to face Ishtar’s anger after Gilgamesh rejected her. It was surprising because their big victory quickly turned into more danger. I think the author was showing that even heroes cannot escape the power of the gods. I’d like to learn more about why rejecting Ishtar was seen as such a serious offense in their culture.

The detail that stuck out to me in the readings for this week is the fact that after Gilgamesh fought off Humbaba, he was respected by all the people who didn't like him as a leader. I feel like the fight also showed a sense of loyalty progression between Gilgamesh and Enkidu which might have been something the author was trying to communicate. I want to know more about the reasoning for rejecting Ishtar even though their thing was sleeping with multiple women.