Themes Of Gilgamesh

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Jagroop S Mann Professor Maroney Core 1001_26 17 April 2014 Gilgamesh “Gilgamesh” is a story that takes place in the Sumerian city-state of Uruk of which Gilgamesh was king of. Gilgamesh explores several themes or issues which show the importance of this mythology. Some of them include how death is unavoidable or how gods can be dangerous. It also discusses how motivation can effect a person like how love can act as a motivation. To begin, love can act as a motivating force as it was proven in Gilgamesh. Love either in erotic or spiritual form motivated and brought change in Gilgamesh. Enkidu changed from being a person of the wilds into being a human as he became a noble man which was all because of Gilgamesh. Also their friendship brings transformation even into Gilgamesh as he turns away from being a bully and a tormenter into a prototypical king and hero that all wish to have. Both were similar in many ways which was why they evenly matched and went on to become friends. Enkidu put a stop to Gilgamesh misusing his powers and Gilgamesh pulled Enkidu out of his selfishness of just thinking of only himself. With Gilgamesh linking himself with Enkidu it finally made him realize or identify what the interests were of the people of his kingdom as wasn’t able to before. In the first half of Gilgamesh the love that both friends shared basically made Gilgamesh overall a better person and when Enkidu dies in the second half Gilgamesh’s sorrow and fear drive him onto a unsuccessful quest for immortality. He wanted that because he didn’t want to die like his friend Enkidu did, but instead he wanted to live forever. He couldn’t get that, but he did realize what his duties were and what he should do as a king. Besides this story not rea... ... middle of paper ... ...god, but also life itself. Journey is also an integral part as well as the whole story is really of a journey. Almost all of the things that occur in Gilgamesh all begin with a journey. For instance to begin Enkidu journeys from the wilderness to the kingdom of Uruk and meets Gilgamesh. It is also a journey for Enkidu into becoming a man from being of the wild. Then Gilgamesh and Enkidu both journey to the Cedar Forest to kill Humbaba. Enkidu then journeys to the underworld as he dies. After Enkidu’s death Gilgamesh journeys to twin-peaked mountain Mashu and then through it. He journeys to Urshanabi to find Utnapishtim and then travels with Urshanabi across the sea and through the sea of death, only to return to Uruk. Gilgamesh’s many journeys reflect his interior journey of into becoming an unselfish and dedicated king towards his people unlike how he was before.

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