Captain Hook Ancients: The Epic of Gilgamesh

 

Captain Hook is for the younger set (4-6 grades). Instead of using the actual text we work our way through children’s versions as much as we can find them.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean is one of the strongest books in the whole curriculum. She does her best to stick to the ancient structure of twelve books, and the ancient spirit of struggle and grief. David Parkins’ illustrations are also inspired by ancient life. The picture on the cover makes it clear that Gilgamesh is no Superman. It helps us think about the differences between then and now. 

There is a matter we must address about one of the most important characters, Hatti (Shamhat). She is a temple prostitute. Temple prostitutes were respected member of the Mesopotamian Society. They even had protected inheritance rights. This doesn’t make prostitution right, but it does explain why it is included in such a matter-of-fact way. The Bible has a few prostitutes, and they get taught in Sunday School. Give Hatti a chance before you skip over her. She plays a crucial role in the story.

READER’S GUIDE

This week’s reading is heavy. To read the whole book in four days as we normally do means three chapters a day. I offer lighter versions, but you will miss important things. Consider reading on the weekends, or for breakfast, snack and bedtime. If everyone is agreeable you could take a second week. In any case, happy reading!

MONDAY ch. 1-3 or ch. 1&3 or ch. 3

TUESDAY ch. 4-6 or ch. 4&5 or ch. 5

WEDNESDAY ch. 7-9 or ch. 8&9 or ch. 8

THURSDAY ch. 10-12 or ch 10&11 or ch 10

Teaching Notes

Ask students about their reading. Let them bubble it all out. Ask if they found the Noah story and what was his Mesopotamian name. Have them express how it was the same and yet different. Ask them what their favorite parts were, and ask what the worst parts were. Would they want a friendship like Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s?

Then get ready for SLIDES.

SLIDES

You will need a stack of 3x5 cards and a Sharpie. On an 8 1/2x 11 piece of paper write “The Epic of Gilgamesh”. Place it in the middle of the floor. Have the students line up. Ask the first four to tell you an incident in the story. Write each one on a 3x5 card. Have them put the cards on the floor, one on each corner. The next round have the students connect the incidents to other books we have read, such as, “Hammurabi was a king like Gilgamesh.” “He goes on a journey like Sinuhe.” Alternate between Epic of Gilgamesh traits and our past reading going round and round until the subject is exhausted. Students may work collaboratively.