PROJECTION OF WATER IN GILGAMESH EPIC

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PROJECTION OF WATER IN GILGAMESH EPIC

Journal Title: International Journal of Langauges' Education and Teaching - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 2

Abstract

Gilgamesh Epic is known the oldest epic of the written literature. The first thing coming to mind when calling to “water of life” or “the Flood” is it again. The aim of this study is to reveal the story of water. As is known, “both Sumer and Babylon Civilisations are hydraulics civilisations” has been told by Karl Witfoger (Gencer, 2008: 18). From this point of view, the idea emerged for the investigation of “projection of water” in the Epic of Gilgamesh that written in the late Babylonian period. Because of this reason, it is considered necessary to reveal position of water phenomenon that it impressed deeply civilisations’ daily life, in written literature. And with this study, reveal position of water image clearly in our mind was wanted as far as possible. In this search “documentary screening/document review method” that is one of the Qualitative research method was used. And “Scanning method” was used for find water imagery in the Epic. Obtained data were grouped and interpreted. “Events (concepts)” were evaluated in its own context when doing qualitative analysis. This study was prepared with excitement of tracking water phenomenon. And firstly, about King Gilgamesh and the Epic was mentioned with very quick overview, then Epic’s theme was discussed, after that main theme in the article was studied. In here, three-phased method was (mainly) followed. Initially, on the subject of water in the Epic was mentioned briefly; later, plot was supported with quotations from Epic; in the last stage, comment was made about subject. In this way, reach to results have been tried. Furthermore it was targeted to be understandable, because of this reason some articles that they have attached the subject or have importance was cited from time to time. Also in comments were paid attention for not use anachrony. We determined that water has got equality in positive and negative directions generally. Negative function of water improve through this notions: Opponent, being predictive factor of competitive pressure, formidable handicap, danger, scene that increasing the tension, wildness, uncivilised, death, disease, uselessness, ephemerality, annihilation, idleness, deprivation, damage, mourning, puerperality, nonresistance, desperation, hopelessness, greed, fear, frightfulness. On the other hand water’s positive arguments are like these: Virtue, farsightedness, overcome the obstacles, achievement, good qualities, courage, bravery, being sturdy, place of vow, cleanliness, sipiritual purification, holiness, virginity, purity, God help, protectorate, fruitfulness, shelter, utopia, happiness, fortune, present, provide comfort, steady fear, redemption, loyalty to decedent. If this work that were written before Christ compare with other same period epics (like Iliad, Odyssey, Creation Epic of Altay ets.) it will become clearer from the point of water images in the Epic. But this subject may be the subject of another article because of its width.

Authors and Affiliations

Gülşen SEZEN

Keywords

EP ID EP196600
DOI 10.18298/ijlet.615
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