The Importance Of Goodness In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

What is virtuous and what is just often go hand in hand. The purpose of establishing a government is to ensure that goodness prevails. Having a platform where people are able to participate allows the discussion on what is good and fair. And although goodness can be decided on a consensus by the people – it is ultimately the higher divinity that has the final decision. The dynamics between the gods and man in The Epic of Gilgamesh exemplifies this idea by showing the line separating the good and the bad is movable, challenging the importance of intuition over logic and reason, and posing that having goodness requires the threat of trial and suffering. Likewise, the seemingly materialistic illusory by Rumi also mirrors the same ideas. Both The

The ultimate reason for one to practice piety is to avoid divine retribution. By the nature of the higher power, bestowing suffering is always used as a leverage to teach what is good. Punishment can be categorized in to two: retribution for angering the gods and suffering for improving the relationship between man and god. For instance, Enkidu’s death was made as a punishment for Gilgamesh due to Ishtar’s anger. Gilgamesh proclaims, “My friend, whom I loved so dear / who with me went through every danger / my friend Enkidu, whom I loved so dear / who with me went through every danger / the doom of mortals overtook him.” (George 84, 235). Asides the original intent of Ishtar was not to teach Gilgamesh goodness; he learns compassion beyond materialism. However, the true punishment is Gilgamesh’s failed quest to find immortality. Enkidu’s death struck fear in Gilgamesh to the extent for Gilgamesh to search for something that separates man and god. His failure to do attain immortality shows that that is the one matter that the gods are not willing to help with. This was apparent to the lack of divine help during this journey and the inclusion of Utanapishti’s story. In the case of Gilgamesh, his intent for seeking immortality was for selfish reasons. He fears death out of loss of his wealth – and perhaps that is where the gods drew the line. Gilgamesh’s intentions were wrong and thus his quest failed. As opposed to Utanapishti who was granted immortality due to his sacrifices to the gods after the Deluge. Although a harsh reality, punishment and suffering is needed to enforce what is virtuous. A ‘bad’ person poses a threat in society as there is a chance that it will influence other to do the same. This then defies the will ordained by the divine to keep peace and order. Suffering, however, does not always have to be perceived as punishment for justice. Rumi’s Boil Nicely Now shows a