The Significance of Dreams

As we discussed in class, it seems quite evident that dreams were significant during the Uruk period. Dreams were often interpreted and used as a telling of the future. Not only did the Uruk people interpret dreams, but often times they even performed rituals in order to receive a good dream. This can be seen in Tablet IV, during their journey to the Forest of Cedar, where Gilgamesh and Enkidu perform rituals in order to receive a good sign from the gods in the form of a dream. They attempt five times, yet all five times Gilgamesh experiences nightmares and ominous signs. However, Enkidu comforts Gilgamesh and tells him that the dreams were not a bad sign. Gilgamesh, although he is terrified from the nightmares, is convinced by Enkidu's words and proceeds in their journey to slay Humbaba.

I was quite bemused by this, because although Gilgamesh and Enkidu believe in the significance of dreams, they refused to listen to the signs. Enkidu consoles Gilgamesh even though he knows that the dreams were terrible, and Gilgamesh lets himself be convinced and follows through with his plans even though the dreams foreshadowed danger. But then later in Tablet VII, Enkidu is greatly affected by his own dreams and foresees his doom, and believes the signs from his dreams. It seems odd to me that in one circumstance they deny the significance of the dreams yet in another, they are completely affected by it.