Epic Of Gilgamesh Literary Analysis

The Literary Elements of the Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh does not have a credited author, but it is considered to be one of the oldest literary works of man. This story is made up of fragments and the oldest fragments have been dated from around 2000 B.C. The Epic of Gilgamesh takes place in the ancient Middle East. This epic begins with Gilgamesh, the heroic and ambitious king of Uruk, sobbing over the death of his brotherly friend Enkidu, who was raised among wild beasts. Now fearful of death and being a mortal, Gilgamesh is set on searching for Utnapishtim, the man of everlasting life. The Epic of Gilgamesh demonstrates the concept of immortality, the concept of carpe diem, and oral tradition. The Epic of Gilgamesh demonstrates the concept of immortality when Gilgamesh starts his journey for Utnapishtim, the man of immortality. According to the Webster’s Third New

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, the concept of carpe diem is latin for ‘seize the day’ and means “to make the best of the present moment” (48). After Siduri listens to Gilgamesh, she says “As for you, Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this, too, is the lot of man.” (15). Siduri is basically telling Gilgamesh that at this point in time he can question death and mourn for Enkidu, but before death and misery affects him, He should calmy live life without Enkidu. She suggests that GIlgamesh should spend his remaining time living making the most of life and seizing the