Module 1: Response Paper 2: TASK 6
Task 6: Module 1: Response Paper 2: Compose a 5-paragraph essay responding to the following prompt:
Compare the story of The Fall in the Hebrew Bible as told in Genesis (Links to an external site.) with the episode of how Enkidu becomes fully human (by means of the harlot) in Gilgamesh (Links to an external site.) (pages 4-6). In both stories a woman is instrumental in causing a man to become fully human, and eventually to die, the fate of human beings. Discuss the similarities and the differences between the two stories, using specific examples from both to support your ideas.
Follow these guidelines as you write:
– Your essay should be at least 250 words.
– You are not required to include an introduction and conclusion, but you may do so if you wish.
– Address at least three similarities and three differences.
– What is the moral of each story?
– Which story do you prefer?
Plagiarism Reminder
The essay should be in your own words. Do not copy from online sources. If you use language from the texts, use quotation marks (Example: “No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all”). It should be written in your own words. Do not copy from sources on the Internet. Use quotation marks when you use words from the text (Example: “No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all”).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203
Week 4 Discussion Question 1
What difference did you notice between the ancient Hebrew Bible text and the Christian version when it came to events like the Great Flood? What stands out the most to you after reading the Hebrew version of Genesis?
Module 1: Reading Quiz 3
Module 1: Reading Quiz 3: Compare/Contrast Gilgamesh and Job as heroes.
Read the Epic of Gilgamesh (Links to an external site.) and the book of Job (Links to an external site.).
Compare and Contrast Gilgamesh and Job as heroes.
Use the following guidelines to help you compose your answer:
– How are Gilgamesh and Job similar?
– How are Gilgamesh and Job different?
– What are each hero’s strengths?
– What are each hero’s weaknesses?
– Which of the two do you think is the ultimate hero?
– Good answers should be at least 250 words.
Plagiarism Reminder
Answers should be in your own words. Do not copy answers from online sources. I am interested in what you think. If you use language from the text, use quotations marks (Example: “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.”).
https://www.biblestudytools.com/job/
Task Five: Reading Selections from the Hebrew Bible
TASK 5. Read the selections from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Link is http://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et0101.htm (Links to an external site.)
Pay special attention to “The Flood,” since it is clearly related to the story of the flood in Gilgamesh. Or you might focus on another selection from the Hebrew Bible that will make an interesting compare/contrast with Gilgamesh. For example, Job is interesting in relation to Gilgamesh, since both deal with the wills of deities and the fates of human beings. Another good choice might be Jonah who, like Gilgamesh, tries to avoid divine will, or perhaps Joseph, who is a culture hero of the Hebrews, in contrast to Gilgamesh who is a culture hero of the Sumerians.
You may wish to read other sections of the Hebrew Bible, but please do NOT use a Christian Bible to do so; the texts are actually somewhat different. This is a course in ancient literature and we want to use the ancient version of the bible for that reason. http://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et0101.htm (Links to an external site.)
Another Option: Watch this amazingly good free online course from Yale: Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) with Professor Christine Hayes. A wonderful free ecourse from Yale. You might just watch the opening sessions on Genesis or want to watch the entire course. She is a great teacher. The link is
https://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studies/rlst-145
