Gilgamesh Character Analysis

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Throughout literature today, one can see substantial changes that various hero’s make over the course of a story. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the hero and main character, Gilgamesh, is no different. In The Epic of Gilgamesh one can develop an idea of Gilgamesh’s character and what his personal objectives and motives are. Over the course of the epic, we see him act in a variety of ways. Gilgamesh is portrayed as a cruel and corrupt ruler disliked by his city’s people, a powerful and mighty warrior, a miserable wreck, and eventually a compassionate, prideful man. During each of these changes, one can see how Gilgamesh’s perspective on life alters. Eventually, his search for immortality fades into the past along with his old self, leaving Gilgamesh to start anew. Ultimately, his journey and the events that took place greatly effect Gilgamesh molding him into a new person. The beginning of the epic contains a description of Gilgamesh and his actions. “Gilgamesh leaves no son to his father! Day and night he rampages fiercely… Gilgamesh leaves no girl to her [mother]! The warrior’s daughter, the young man’s spouse, Anu(?) kept hearing their plaints” (I:82-89). The people of Uruk despise Gilgamesh for his wrong doings and pray to their gods for relief. After hearing of the people’s …show more content…

Some may say that he has not changed at all as shown by the repeat beginning at the end of the epic; that the story more or less repeats itself. This is simply not the case. Gilgamesh has gone through a lot over the course of his lengthy journey. His character clearly changes as his character and morals transform through each event. Ultimately, Gilgamesh learned a great deal and matured as a result of it. By the end of the epic it appears that he is content with all that he has accomplished. Conclusively, Gilgamesh’s perspective on life alters as he is no longer the man he once

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