Monday, December 3rd.

For today, using the aspects of culture as our jumping off point for applying HISTORICAL CONTEXT to the text of Gilgamesh.

You have started to examine the influence of the cultural aspects of ancient Mesopotamia upon Gilgamesh.

We have determined the "HOW" (how the text does what it does) and the "WHAT" (what specific evidence in the plot of the work demonstrates the application of literary device) to begin literary analysis.

Today, we will be working on the "WHY?" Things to consider:

• What is the impact of these findings on the meaning of the text?
• What is the significance of this inclusion in the text?
• Why do you think that this was included? 
• What do we learn from its inclusion? 

For example: 

Aspect of culture: Beliefs
Historical context: Ancient Mesopotamia practice of polytheism
Gilgamesh: Often see gods as adversary to each other, or human counterparts.

WHY?   Results? Significance? Contribution to meaning? Polytheism is presented more as competitive with humanity versus attentive to the need of the practitioners.

In class: 
As a group, start discussing your "hows" and "whats"... Talk though specific findings in both history AND text. Reference specific text in your discussion of Gilgamesh.  With your discussion, start addressing the "WHY"...  Add these conclusions or thoughts into your notes.