Gilgamesh And The Tempest Literary Analysis

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the world’s oldest existing stories that were collected in Mesopotamia. It is a story about a heroic king named Gilgamesh, who treated his people in a nasty way. He was a domineering, and cruel leader, feared by many because of his unnatural strength. He forced his people into labor in order to expand his kingdom. The people cried unto the gods and they created Gilgamesh’s equal Enkidu, who they later became friends. Gilgamesh witnessed the death of his close friend Enkidu, and this made him to search for immortality because, he was afraid to die. However, he learnt that, no human was immortal, and that he was destined to die, just like his friend Enkidu.

(Gilgamesh 71)” Gilgamesh's grief for his friend was natural, but he shouldn't have abandoned his people and his royal duties. As ruler, his people have to follow his decree, and need his support to thrive. By forcing them to grief, and abandoning his position, he left them in a very vulnerable position. His last and final abandonment of his people began with Gilgamesh's quest for immortality. He was so upset and shocked by what occurred to Enkidu's body after death, that he vowed he would never die. His selfishness has grown so far, that when he finds his cure for mortality, he chooses to let an old man test the plant in case it brings death instead. “I will bring it to Uruk-Haven, and have an old man eat the plant to test it. The plant's name is “The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.” Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth. (Gilgamesh 106)” Gilgamesh was a powerful man with a lot of ambition, and potential. It was just ruined by his selfish nature. He was, all-in-all, a famous and great ruler... but not a just one.

Language can be a powerful tool which can build individuals up but it can also tear them down. When reading Literature through a post-colonial lens it can give us the needed tools to provide or grasp the information in order to reveal the bigger picture in the story. “Post-colonialism examines the manner in which emerging societies grapple with the challenges of self- determination.” (Aladren, 2013) In one way we can see that approach of colonist being conveyed through the native tongue which tends to be taught to its subjects. Such examples can be seen in Shakespeare’s The Tempest (Act1 & 2) and the The Epic of Gilgamesh which illustrates how a “savage” can be domesticated simply by learning the imperialist language. As the subjects Caliban and Enkidu encounter these dominating issues due to the situation they face once they are introduce to oppressors culture.

“The Epic of Gilgamesh” is a didactic story set out to expose the inevitability of death. The true meaning of this story is sometimes overlooked because the story is told in heighten language not easily understood. The epic hero in this story is Gilgamesh; he undertakes a quest for knowledge which is overshadowed by his ignorance. The tragic death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s trusted companion forces the epic hero to change his perception of death. To overcome great obstacles one must be willing to put their ignorance aside. Tzvi Abusch’s analyzes “The Epic of Gilgamesh” in his article “The development and meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh”. Abusch’s explication of Gilgamesh’s identity, friendship, achievements and ignorance towards death lacks substance.

Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk and very confident in his ways. He begins his journey thinking that he above everyone else knows what is best in all situations. It is quickly revealed that Gilgamesh has a lot to learn and grow from himself. The role of knowledge and wisdom is most obvious when Gilgamesh realizes he is afraid of death and seeks to find eternal life. He comes to realize that life is about death, but making the most of the life we have.

Gilgamesh is the oldest piece of epic Western literature known to mankind and was written in 2000 B.C., which predates the Old Testament. It is a heroic, epic poem that explores friendship, mortality, and humanity. According to the poem, Gilgamesh was part man and part god, the biggest part being made in heaven and the smaller somewhere on earth (21). Gilgamesh, the ruler of Uruk, is the best of the best and is thought of as god-like. The men that Gilgamesh ruled over cried out to the gods asking for help to send someone to humble Gilgamesh. The gods created Enkidu, a man that matched Gilgamesh’s strength and virtues, to humble Gilgamesh. The two become friends, humbling Gilgamesh. Enkidu ultimately dies in the epic poem, leaving Gilgamesh distraught but starting him on his pursuit to find immortality. His search for eternal life leads him to Utnapishtim, the only survivor of the flood and the only man to become immortal. Utnapishtim gives Gilgamesh the secret to eternal life, but Gilgamesh’s eternal life is stolen from him by a serpent. In the end of Gilgamesh, he learns that

     Gilgamesh sets out on his journey for immortality, leaving his kingdom and people behind to fend for themselves. He starts to become self-seeking just as he had before. He spends every waking moment searching for immortality only to benefit himself. The whole purpose of the journey itself is so that Gilgamesh can gain immortality for himself and be remembered forever. He doesn’t realize that his people are off on there own with no king to control the empire. Even when

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s pursuit for immortality is marked by ignorance and selfish desire. Desire and ignorance, as The Buddha-karita of Asvaghosha suggests, pollutes man’s judgment resulting in his inability to break the cycle of birth and death. At the core of Gilgamesh’s desire resides his inability to accept the inevitability of death, making his rationality behind the pursuit of immortality ignorant and selfish. Implicitly, Gilgamesh’s corrupt desire for immortality conveys that Gilgamesh does not mature as a character.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the greatest surviving epic poem from Ancient Mesopotamia. The original author is unknown, since the epic was passed on orally for many generations during the second millennium B.C.E before being written down in clay tablets. However, the definitive fragmented revision of the epic is accredited to Sin-leqi-unninni, a Babylonian priest and scholar. The Epic of Gilgamesh follows Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality, remarking the question of what it means to be human. The story starts with King Gilgamesh of Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia, an arrogant and oppressive ruler who is two thirds divine and one third human. The citizens of Uruk, tired of Gilgamesh’s behavior, plead the Gods to stop him. In response, the Gods fabricate Enkidu to confront Gilgamesh, but before he does that, he needs to become civilized first. In the act of turning into a civilized man, Enkidu, like all human beings, loses his innocence, as well as his deep connection with nature.

This research paper will first discuss the working definitions and scope of postcolonial theory which the essay will use a tool and framework for comparing the two texts, Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest written in 1610 and the epic poem the Epic of Gilgamesh. The paper will then individually discuss the postcolonial concerns and themes reflected both literary classics, along with the tensions that arise when applying these concepts of power, knowledge and ethics. Postcolonial theory refers to the critical discipline that responds to and analyses the cultural ramifications of colonialism and imperialism on nations and their people (Chegg, 2017). Colonialism, in the context of this paper, shall refer to the relationship between nations who seek to extend and further their authorial powers over other nations, lands or territories and their captive lands or peoples. By critiquing and analyzing the cultural ramifications of the role of colonialism, postcolonial works of literature seek to question and change the manner or lens in which the said culture is being perceived, and challenge the dominant narratives promulgated by the colonizer during the period of colony.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would quite literally go to the end of the world to retrieve it? This is an attribute that perfectly describes the character of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is the main character of the ancient Uruk epic that is known as the epic of Gilgamesh. He experiences a lot of hardship and tribulations throughout the story. Some of the things are the loss of his “brother” Enkidu, which makes him want to become Immortal, the death of Humbaba This changes him in many different ways, like how he changes the way he acts from acting like a god to a noble and fair king. My goal in this paper is to show you how the events of the death of Humbaba, the death of Enkidu and his quest for his immortality

The second significant change in Gilgamesh was caused by the loss of his brotherly companion, Enkidu. Gilgamesh couldn't bear the loss of a love so powerful. Despite his astonishing power and leadership, something in his life was missing. He wept for seven days and seven nights, in hope of bringing Enkidu back to him. Gilgamesh said, "I thought my friend would come back because of my weeping. Since he went, my life is nothing". It is in this stage of the epic that we see the truly sympathetic and compassionate side of Gilgamesh. The grief in his heart had far surpassed the magnificent pride that he had previously displayed so boldly.

He then sent out to find Untapishtim which is where he thought eternal life would be. The first place his journey takes him is the twin peaked mountains called Musha. After rushing through the tunnel to beat the sun he emerges into a beautiful garden by the sea that’s where he meets Siduri. Siduri warns him that immortality is futile and he should be satisfied with his life and what he has. He doesn’t listen to Siduri and insists on moving forward being optimistic about finding eternal life. When Gilgamesh arrives to Untapishtim, he demands that he should be granted with eternal life. Utnapishtim gives him a test, “Prevail against sleep, and perhaps you will prevail against death.” (Mitchell, 191) Gilgamesh accepts this challenge, but fails immediately. Untapishtim orders him to return to Uruk, but he tells Gilgamesh of a spiny plant that grows in the water of the Great Deep. A miraculous plant that would restore youth. Gilgamesh goes and retrieves the plant. He plans to share it with the elders of Uruk, but before he could reach the city a snake steals the plant away. Gilgamesh did not return emptyhanded. He instead came back with the acceptance of mortality and a name for himself.

After mourning Enkidu, Gilgamesh began his journey to search for immortality and this was is the part of the epic that one can see Gilgamesh changing. This is the part of the epic Joseph Campbell 's trait meeting with the mentor is showcased when Gilgamesh went into the unknown he passed the scorpions and met Siduri the barmaid with worldly advise in a tavern on the road by the sea and to her Gilgamesh said “Why do you hide? Open it or I will break through the door! Shall I have to break through this door?”(X.I.16-17) Siduri replied to Gilgamesh saying “I am afraid of what I see on your face is drawn so tight and thin. Why are you this way? What misfortune has robbed your youth? What sorrow eats your soul? What long hot journey has sapped your flesh? And why did you depart your familiar home?” (X.I.21-23)

Love, both erotic and platonic, motivates change in Gilgamesh. Enkidu changes from a wild man into a noble one because of Gilgamesh, and their friendship changes Gilgamesh from a bully and a tyrant into an exemplary king and hero. Because they are evenly matched, Enkidu puts a check on Gilgamesh’s restless, powerful energies, and Gilgamesh pulls Enkidu out of his self-centeredness. Gilgamesh’s connection to Enkidu makes it possible for Gilgamesh to identify with his people’s interests. The love the friends have for each other makes Gilgamesh a better man in the first half of the epic, and when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh’s