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15 September 2015
Gilgamesh’s Life Lessons
The better understanding that one has about life; the more likely they are to live their lives truthfully. Throughout his life Gilgamesh learned many life lessons that helped him to become a better person and live his life more fully. Sometimes life lessons are very easy to see while at other times one has to really dig deep in order to see what is right in front of them. In Gilgamesh’s case he experienced life lessons in many different forms but in the end they all contributed to the person that he grew to be.
As an illustration, one life lesson that Gilgamesh learned was that death is an inevitable fact of life. Gilgamesh has to face his own mortality when his friend Enkidu is cursed with a dishonorable, painful death. In reality, Gilgamesh is bitter that only the gods can live forever. He discovers that life is short and fame is the only thing that lasts. This can be seen when Utuapishtim said:
“There is no permanence. Do we build a house to stand for ever; do we seal a contract to hold for all time? Do brothers divide an inheritance to keep forever; does
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the flood time of rivers endure? It is only the nymph of the dragon fly who sheds her larva and sees the sun in his glory. From the days of old there is no permanence” (Sanders 56). Gilgamesh is terrified at the thought of his own death. Mesopotamian theology provides a view of an afterlife, but it gives little comfort as it basically says that the dead spend their time being dead. Ultimately the lesson is that even though humans die, humanity continues to live. In addition, a second life lesson that Gilgamesh learns is that the gods are dangerous to mortals. Gilgamesh and Enkidu learn that the gods are dangerous for mortals. Gods live by their own laws and often behave as expressively and illogically as children. Devotion is important to the gods, and they expect compliance and flattery whenever they can get it. They can frequently be helpful, but when they get angry it can utter madness. This can be seen in the book when Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of a great flood that the gods exacted on the people of Shurrupak (58). Ea told Utnapishtim of the coming flood and instructed him to build a great boat and to fill the boat with all the creatures of the land. It is important to note that when Utnapishtim asks Ea about why the flood was coming and about what he should tell the people of Shurrupak, Ea had no specific answer. He could only say that Enlil was angry. This shows that the wrath of the gods could be seen without any obvious reason or explanation. A final life lesson that Gilgamesh learns is that love is all enduring.
Love inspires change in Gilgamesh. It also inspires change in those around him. Enkidu changes from a wild man into a noble one because of the friendship he has with Gilgamesh. This relationship also changes Gilgamesh from a bully and a tyrant into an exemplary king and hero. Because these two friends are so evenly matched, Enkidu keeps in check Gilgamesh’s restless, powerful energies, and Gilgamesh draws Enkidu out of his self-centeredness. Gilgamesh’s association to Enkidu makes it possible for Gilgamesh to identify with his people’s interests. The love that these two friends have for one another makes Gilgamesh a better man in the first half of this story, and when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh’s sorrow and dread compel him onto a pointless mission for
immortality. In the beginning of this story Gilgamesh is introduced as a tyrant king who does what he wants, when he wants, and has little regard for his subjects. Enkidu is introduced into the story in order to strike a balance against Gilgamesh’s tyrannical ways. His purpose in the story is to help Gilgamesh become the king he needs to be and to teach him about the things that are most important in life. Throughout the story, Gilgamesh loses his best friend and must face reality that everyone dies. He learns that the irresponsibility with which he had previously lived his life was in the end unsustainable. Gilgamesh learned that he will not live forever, but he will age, and during that process will come maturity and wisdom. In the end Gilgamesh learns that the quality of one’s life is not measured by wealth or fame, but by the quality of the time that one spends while alive and the people with which they surround themselves with.
The philosophy that comes across in Gilgamesh’s story is that he life is something to be enjoyed because once you die you will life your afterlife in eternal anguish.
The main factor contributing to the changes in Gilgamesh the love that develops with Enkidu. Enkidu is made to make Gilgamesh more human. In the first paragraph of the book the gods are angry with Gilgamesh and send down an equal of himself, they send down Enkidu. After becoming friends, Gilgamesh changes because he has an equal to be with.
Gilgamesh goes on to seek eternal life. Death had never been a topic he had to deal with. Jacobsen explains, “death, fear of death, has become an ob...
N.K. Sanders, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is one of the most well-known stories in literature. The story beings with Gilgamesh, one-third human and two-thirds God. He ruled the greatest city with strong walls in Urnk to save his people from dangerous attacks. He is described as the most beautiful, strong, and wise ruler of Mesopotamia. He then goes on a quest with Enkidu. When they arrive at Ceder Forest Enkidu dreams that killing the Bull of Heaven had some consequences. Either Enkidu or Gilgamesh must die. Enkidu was chosen and suffered a severe illness. Enkidu did not make it, he was deeply sadden and decide to continue his quest to find immortality. He showed fear towards death because of his friend and now risking everything in hopes that Utnapishtim
In many literary works we see significant transitions in the hero's character as the story is developed. This is also true in the Epic of Gilgamesh with its hero, Gilgamesh. In this narrative poem, we get glimpses of who Gilgamesh is and what his purposes and goals are. We see Gilgamesh act in many different ways -- as an overbearing ruler resented by his people, a courageous and strong fighter, a deflated, depressed man, and finally as a man who seems content with what he's accomplished. Through all of these transitions, we see Gilgamesh's attitude toward life change. The goals he has for his own life alter dramatically, and it is in these goals that we see Gilgamesh's transition from being a shallow, ruthless ruler to being an introspective, content man.
The story of Gilgamesh seems to be a collection of trials and tribulation. Throughout the book, you watch characters battle demons with each other, as well as within themselves. The tantalizing temptations that fill each character, ultimately leads to destruction and death. One example was the relationship between Ishtar and Gilgamesh. Both characters display a type of arrogant, 'ego-consciousness' (Neumann 63) that inevitably leads to subversive fate.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known stories, recounts the tale of the reckless King Gilgamesh and his adventures with his friend Enkidu, a natural man created by the gods from clay to humble and teach Gilgamesh to become a better ruler. Through Enkidu’s death, the once fearless Gilgamesh becomes fearful of his own inevitable demise and journeys to find immortality. However, by finding compassion for his humanity, he is able to come to terms with his mortality and continue living wholeheartedly as the ruler of Uruk. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh learns to accept his mortality by gaining compassion for himself.
The epic of Gilgamesh is about demigod created to rule over the people of Uric but fears death, Throughout the epic, Gilgamesh faces many obstacles while undergoing a series of changes and developments; starting out as an arrogant and selfish king.
This story teaches that death is an unavoidable and inevitable circumstance of mortal life, which is the most significant precept Gilgamesh learns. Gilgamesh is resentful that only the gods can exist eternally. Gilgamesh is frightened by the idea of his own destiny. Mesopotamian divinity proposes a perception of an afterlife; the deceased spend their period being dead in a netherworld. Death is inevitably entwined within the structure of creation. Life is also entwined, although mortals die, humanity maintains to live. The message that Gilgamesh returns with from his adventure is not primarily about death, but about life. Fragment of a tablet of The Epic of Gilgamesh is figure C down
Gilgamesh is an example of someone who had many flaws and faced many struggles but, in the end, changed his attitude and became a better person. In the beginning of Gilgamesh, he is described as doing whatever he wants and being juvenile in a way. For example, in the text it says, “he was their shepherd, yet powerful, superb, knowledgeable and expert, Gilgamesh would not leave young girls alone, the daughters of warriors, the brides of young men.” With his second half, Enkidu, they entered into the first step in becoming a hero according to Campbell, the separation, by going on an adventure. At this point in the story, Gilgamesh is very arrogant. While traveling to Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh tells Enkidu, “let me go in front of you, and your voice call out: ‘Go close, don’t be afraid!’ If I should fall, I should have won fame. People will say, Gilgamesh grappled in combat with ferocious Humbaba… ensure fame that will last forever.” Next is stage two, the initiation, of the Campbell’s hero journey. Gilgamesh undergoes a trail to begin his transformation, he must fight the Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh’s supportive side is starting to show when he tells Enkidu that they will win if they fight together. After killing the Bull of Heaven, Gilgamesh’s confident attitude is shown once again. The next trial he faces is the death of Enkidu. He starts to show emotion when he says, “for you Enkidu, I, like your mother, your father, will weep on your plains… I will lay you to rest on a bed of loving care… and I myself will neglect my appearance after your death.” At this point his character has been greedy and then he showed his fear and supportive side. The last stage in the hero’s journey is the return. Enkidu’s death sent Gilgamesh on an adventure to fight death. From this adventure he learned his biggest lesson from Utnapishtim. He learns to appreciate life, and
Gilgamesh, feeling the fear of his own mortality, sets out on a journey to search for a way to preserve himself. Although the journey that he endures is much larger than life, Gilgamesh comes to realize that he can never achieve immortality. Before the creation of Enkidu, Gilgamesh is a man without an equal match. He is an individual with overwhelming power, and it is because of this that makes Gilgamesh a very arrogant person.
In the epic of Gilgamesh the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is very complex and necessary. Their friendship brings animal, human, and god together. Gilgamesh is changed by his friendship with Enkidu. He becomes a better person and a better ruler because of Enkidu. Enkidu’s life is enriched because of his friendship with Gilgamesh. Enkidu was created to balance out Gilgamesh, and he accomplishes this goal. The two men are very close, and love each other deeply. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu benefit from their friendship.
Throughout time, people of all cultures have told stories of heroes and kings. The most ancient story we have on record is the tale of King Gilgamesh. This story is an account of the King's journeys and accomplishments. Although it was written over four thousand years ago, many comparisons can be made between the society in which the story was written and our own modern society. In this essay, differences and similarities between the two societies will be examined.
After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh comes to the realization that one day he too will succumb to the same fate as his friend.
One of the main themes in the epic is that death is inevitable, which is shown through Enkidu's death. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh becomes very worried, because he realizes for the first time that everyone is going to die at some point in time. The fact that Enkidu is a close friend makes it even more visible to Gilgamesh that everyone is mortal. Then, along with this realization, comes the theme of denial. Gilgamesh does not want to accept the fact that he will die. He denies the truth, because he does not want to think about the truth or cope with the tragedy that has struck him. "And he-he does not lift his head. 'I touched his heart, it does not beat'" (Tablet VIII, Column II, 15-16). "'Me! Will I too not die like Enkidu? Sorrow was come into my belly. I fear death; I roam over the hills. I will seize the road; quickly I will go to the house of Utnapishtim, offspring of Ubaratutu. I approach the entrance of the mountain at night. Lions I see, and I am terrified. I lift my head to pray to the mood god Sin: For...a dream I go to the gods in prayer: ...preserve me!'" (Tablet IX, Column I, 3-12).