Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the character Gilgamesh may be considered a hero because he embodies or participates in some general aspects that are attributable to most heroes. After Gilgamesh’s new friend, Enkidu, passes away Gilgamesh embarks upon a journey to obtain immortality. During this journey, Gilgamesh encounters difficulties when he needs to cross the near impassable waters of death; however, Gilgamesh does not get deterred from his journey. Gilgamesh’s dedication forces him to persevere. Gilgamesh’s determination is a major strength and exemplifies his heroism.

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 was destined to perfection from birth. He was created as a divine mortal, two thirds divine and one third human (5). He was a man destined to live a lavish life with all the riches a man could ever want. Unfortunately his arrogance and superior strength got in the way (Foster5). Gilgamesh was created by the gods to be perfect in every regard. But what the gods couldn't prepare him for was life and human emotions, instinct etc. Gilgamesh built a wall that protected Uruk, his home (3). He was destined to live a life like a god among his people. Gods played tug a war for the lack of better words with Gilgamesh's life. They controlled every aspect. This is where all Gilgamesh journey's began and where they would all bring him back to

     At first, Gilgamesh is a controlling and arrogant king, who thinks only of himself. He constantly works the men, building enormous walls surrounding the

The maturation of Gilgamesh and his desire to acquire wisdom throughout his journey is quite apparent. By overcoming difficulties such as upholding Uruk, becoming friends with Enkidu, and various other scenarios, Gilgamesh proves that he did in fact grow up throughout the epic.

The epic of Gilgamesh exhibits a beautiful look at what a person with strong perseverance had do. The fact that Gilgamesh after the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s greatest friend, he mourns for a while and then goes on a quest to the edge of the world in an attempt to find the key to immortality, is incredible. Gilgamesh’s journey takes him to Mashu, the twin-peaked mountain where the Sun rises on one side and sets on the other. The mountain that is guarded by two scorpion like creature that had no intentions of permitting Gilgamesh to pass through the tunnel that lead to the other side, but his passion persuaded them to. After traveling for hours in the darkness he emerges and proceeds to meet Siduri, the tavern keeper, who tells him that his desire for immorality is futile, but seeing how determined he was to reach Utnapishtim, the only immortal man. He then advances to Urshanabi, the ferryman, who takes Gilgamesh to Utnapishtim, but not after

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of earliest known pieces of literature. Through years of storytelling and translation, The Epic of Gilgamesh became a timeless classic. This story is believed to have originated from Sumerian poems and legends about the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. Throughout the epic, many themes arose about women, love, and journeys and the one I would like to discuss is the theme of death. Also, I will discuss if Gilgamesh accepts morality at the end of the story and the development of Gilgamesh’s character throughout the story.

The Scorpion Beings warned Gilgamesh of entering the Gates of Heaven because it is a very dangerous to cross and . He continued through the Gates of Heaven, he thought “Gilgamesh soon found himself thinking hard about what they said to him. Following the road taken by the Sun God he pressed on” (17). This scene shows that Gilgamesh is characterised because he was warned by the scorpion beings for entering inside but he still continued on. Gilgamesh walked steadily, the narrator described “He pressed on for twelve leagues in this nightmare blackness entirely untouched by Shamash’s rays, but unswerving and undaunted” (17).

After seeing his friend died, Gilgamesh was not confident of his immortal life. He found himself being scared of dying. The death of Enkidu drove him to search for the power of immortal life and this took him on a long journey. Gilgamesh’s journey was not like a normal journey. In his

Perhaps one of the main reasons the Epic of Gilgamesh is so popular and has lasted such a long time, is because it offers insight into the human concerns of people four thousand years ago, many of which are still relevant today. Some of these human concerns found in the book that are still applicable today include: the fear and concerns people have in relation to death, overwhelming desires to be immortal, and the impact a friendship has on a person’s life. It does not take a great deal of insight into The Epic of Gilgamesh for a person to locate these themes in the story, and even less introspection to relate to them.

Enkidu's death left Gilgamesh frightened and confused. The despair in his heart was so great that he could not rest; would he ever be at peace? He became terrified of his own death. Puzzled and searching for answers, Gilgamesh set out on a quest for Utnapishtim. It is on this great journey that Gilgamesh learns of a

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.

Gilgamesh ends his journey to see Utanapishtim on a bad note. He finally faces the fact that he cannot live forever. Instead of running from the inevitable like he has been doing, he has to face his fear of death. After all of his attempts, he fails miserably and decides to go back to Uruk. The significance of

The poem The Epic of Gilgamesh is a great, epic and the earliest work of ancient Mesopotamia. It has real a life description of what happens in the human world today. Yet, it has powering exaggerations that only exist in a gods' land. Gilgamesh seems to be the most mirrored way of studying human history. This poem discusses the principality, its' engravment with mythology, and a tale of hardship and struggle to ultimately find a meaning to life.

Another characteristic of an epic fulfilled by The Epic of Gilgamesh, is that the hero of the story goes on a journey in search of immortality. This is seen in many epics of the ancient world (Kramer 8). After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh realizes that one day, he too will die. From the beginning of the story, it can be seen that Gilgamesh has an obsession with fame, reputation, and the revolt of mortal man against the law of separation and death (Wolff 694). Tablets IX, X, and XI are all dedicated to this journey for everlasting life. Hoping to learn the secret of immortality, Gilgamesh makes a long and difficult journey in search of Utnapishtim, the one human being who has obtained it. Although several people told him along the way that he would not succeed in gaining eternal life, he didn’t let that stop him. When he finally finds Utnapishtim, he tells him there is no way for Gilgamesh to have what he has. He also reveals to