The Quest For Eternal Life In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

1066 Words3 Pages

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the lines that are repeated at the beginning and the end of the epic shows the only definite immortality a human can gain lies in creating things that last beyond a person’s lifetime. Though at first on a quest for eternal life, when Gilgamesh concludes his journey he realizes that he has created an enduring legend through the foundation of his city, Uruk. Through this legend, Gilgamesh lives on in the memory of his people, long after he has passed away. The epic conveys this message multiple ways. The opening lines immediately introduce and impress upon the audience the importance of Gilgamesh, and the significance of his kingship. The following stanzas continue on to describe the city of Uruk, with special consideration given to the walls surrounding Uruk. The juxtaposition of Gilgamesh and Uruk shows how closely the two are connected, and the influence they exert upon each other. Finally, the ending repetition of the lines shows …show more content…

Survey its foundations, examine the brickwork!
Were its bricks not fired in an oven?
Did the Seven Sages not lay its foundation (Tablet XI 324-326)?
When Gilgamesh is able to accept his fate as a mortal being, he becomes conscious of the relationship he has developed with Uruk. Gilgamesh has been so consumed with his desire to last forever, that he became blind to his actual, tangible achievements. He was unable to recognize Uruk for what it really is; an extension of his own legend. The ethos of the city is an echo of Gilgamesh’s own greatness. Uruk is given a presence of its own, but it is still intimately connected with Gilgamesh and his life. As the epic concludes, Gilgamesh has not, nor will he ever become immortal. Yet, he has been able to gain a new understanding of his city Uruk in relation to himself and the preservation of his memory. The legacy of Gilgamesh could not exist without Uruk, and the legacy of Uruk could not exist without

Show More
Related

  • Gilgamesh As An Epic Hero

    1051 Words  | 3 Pages

    The idealization of Gilgamesh success will help its ethical structure. However, in the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh was very arrogant by the gods and so the people of Uruk decide to teach him a lesson. They sent Enkidu. At first they were enemies and soon after they became friends during their dangerous journey. It has been a long time Gilgamesh needed a friend and we learned that in the epic they teach each other some lesson and their friendship grow stronger. They were now brothers and they both show some weaknesses but they teach each other how they can conquer it. During the whole journey Gilgamesh has truly changed for the better. So, the people of Uruk can learn from their ruler. They realize that the king has risked his life and that the people of Uruk ethical structure was created. They had specialized occupations and the most common work was architecture. They were the ones who build the strongest and tallest walls to make sure that the accomplishments of Gilgamesh will remain forever. The people of Uruk were also educated, they were the first city to ever discover literature and writing. Gilgamesh was amazed by his people and he was content with everything now since all he was worrying about was being immortal. Yet, his people and the creation they construct made Gilgamesh immortal. The structure of the community must also be equal since Gilgamesh is working hard for his people,

    Read More

  • Prerequisite Of A Decent Afterlife In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1295 Words  | 3 Pages

    Similar to that of a candle, the body perishes as time passes by, like the smoke of an extinguished flame, the spirit departs. Many have pondered how their spirit can be at ease, for the Babylonians during the time of Gilgamesh, the answers can linger in the tablet XII of the epic of Gilgamesh. The text in tablet XII conveys the guidelines on attaining a more desirable afterlife. Throughout the story, the importance of caring for loved ones, family, and procreation is shown through the acts of the characters or the fate they received. The interactions of the Babylonians throughout Gilgamesh XII reveals the importance of relationship in the Babylonian society.

    Read More

  • Odysseus As A Hero In Beowulf

    1846 Words  | 4 Pages

    2 lines 16-23). He also teaches that change can be good and can have a good impact on an individual and the people around them (pg. 81-92). These signs seem to make him sound like a good leader. When he defeats Ishtar, his unselfishness will also make a good reputation for himself and his loved ones which benefits his leadership role (pg. 44-47). Gilgamesh is a king in his own community and is known to take on challenges of Uruk and goes on different quests to defeat creatures. He was also a leader who is disrespectful and really cruel to other people's feelings until he met Enkidu. Gilgamesh's hero journey happens to be in a different community that calls for an adventure and conquer creatures that look different than the hero's home. During his journey, he comes across challenges such as the event when he kills Humbaba (pg. 27-33). He also goes through a down-spiral into an abyss when Enkidu dies which makes him feel vulnerable (pg. 63-68). When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh realizes there's no room in life to be a selfish king. So, he pulls it together and becomes a wise and admired ruler/leader. Once he returned with Urshanabi to Uruk, Gilgamesh set about "restoring the sanctuaries (or: cities) that the Flood had destroyed" (1.42). He began architectural projects that benefited the city of Uruk such as "mountain passes" and wells (1.37-38). As a result he became a "hero," a

    Read More

  • Death and Immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    This arrogant side of him is accompanied by an extensive abuse of power, which leads to injustice and rage in the city of Uruk: “The young men of Uruk he harries without warrant”. This problem does not bother Gilgamesh; he lives to display to others his royal power. The first sign of change in Gilgamesh occurs after the birth of Enkidu.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh and the Quest for Immortality

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    The stories of the hunt for immortality gathered in the Epic of Gilgamesh depict the conflict felt in ancient Sumer. As urbanization swept Mesopotamia, the social status shifted from a nomadic hunting society to that of a static agricultural gathering society. In the midst of this ancient "renaissance", man found his relationship with the sacred uncertain and precarious. The Epic portrays the strife created between ontological nostalgia for a simpler time and the dawn of civilization breaking in the Near East. In this Epic, Gilgamesh is seen trying to achieve immortality through the methods of both the old and the new. His journeys through the sacred and the profane in many ways characterize the confusion arising from the unstable social climate. Therefore, the society, by writing the story of Gilgamesh, guarantees not only his immortality, but the immortality of the new order being established.

    Read More

  • What Does Gilgamesh Mean To Be Human

    501 Words  | 2 Pages

    Modern day readers can take away a lot from reading The Epic of Gilgamesh. This story shows what it really means to be human. This piece of history follows Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk and his journey around his newfound best friend, Enkidu and how Gilgamesh searches for immortality. They “placed these tablets on the strong walls of Uruk so that [Gilgamesh’s] people could gain wisdom and remember him,” (203).

    Read More

  • Self-Discovery In The Odyssey And Dante's Inferno

    1645 Words  | 4 Pages

    Character deficiencies and external events force these three characters to embark on a journey that may be physical, metaphorical, or both. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, but he is not a kind or gentle ruler. The narrator describes Gilgamesh as "surpassing all kings, for his stature renowned" (I.30) and yet the people pray to the gods for help because Gilgamesh "would leave no son to his father" (I.67) or "girl to her mother" (I.73). In other words, Gilgamesh sees nothing wrong with taking what he wants from his people, including their lives. However, when Gilgamesh's best friend dies, he finds himself face-to-face with his own mortality, which he is not prepared to accept as inevitable. Gilgamesh states, "I have grown afraid of death . . ." (IX. 5). He decides to continue wandering the land un...

    Read More

  • The Epic of Gilgamesh

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Perhaps one of the main reasons the Epic of Gilgamesh is so popular and has lasted such a long time, is because it offers insight into the human concerns of people four thousand years ago, many of which are still relevant today. Some of these human concerns found in the book that are still applicable today include: the fear and concerns people have in relation to death, overwhelming desires to be immortal, and the impact a friendship has on a person’s life. It does not take a great deal of insight into The Epic of Gilgamesh for a person to locate these themes in the story, and even less introspection to relate to them.

    Read More

  • Death And Afterlife In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are multiple views on death and the afterlife and each view is different depending on the religion or belief that someone practices. Some religions believe in a heaven but not a hell, some believe in both and others do not believe in either. The religions that are practiced today were created by our ancient ancestors who had the ability to think beyond themselves. Practicing a religion and having an idea of death and an afterlife back in ancient times laid a foundation on how religion is seen and practiced today. Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Hindu’s created the concept of death and life after death through what they believed and practiced in ancient times.

    Read More

  • Value Of Life In Gilgamesh

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    On Gilgamesh’s walk back to Uruk with Ur-Shanabi, the boatman, Gilgamesh mourns over his hopeless and ineffective efforts to find immortality. When Ur- Shanabi and Gilgamesh arrive at ramparted Uruk, Gilgamesh says, “Go up, Ur-Shanabi, pace out the walls of Uruk. Study the foundation terrace and examine the brickwork. Is not its masonry of kiln-fired brick?”(XI.325-326). When they arrive, Gilgamesh shows the boatman the city walls. He shows him its brickwork, foundation, gardens, and clay pits. Gilgamesh is not only showing the efforts of is work to Ur-Shanabi by pointing out the size of the land, but also the efforts of his people, as he boasts and complements the brickwork, foundation, gardens, and clay pits. This demonstrates Gilgamesh's blossoming in self-realization for not only his work but also the work of his subject, as we come to finally appreciate and show gratitude towards their work, as he shows off too Ur-Shanabi. After having to face the death of Enkidu and disappointment in not gaining immortality, these final lines really show his growth in seeing the value of life. This is the first time we hear Gilgamesh speak kindly of his subjects, and a reason for that being is that he has come to admire the value of life and now does not seek to live longer than his creations, but to die, and let his efforts and victories speak for themselves, as he realizes that what he has worked for and has gained is nothing less than

    Read More

  • The Transformation of Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    1766 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Mortality And Humanity In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    2008 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Message of Love in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh is an epic of great love, followed by lingering grief that causes a significant change in character. It is the story of a person who is feared and honored, a person who loves and hates, a person who wins and loses and a person who lives life. Gilgamesh's journey is larger than life, yet ends so commonly with death. Through Gilgamesh, the fate of mankind is revealed, and the inevitable factor of change is expressed.

    Read More

  • A Summary of the Epic of Gilgamesh

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is a moving tale of the friendship between Gilgamesh, the demigod king of Uruk, and the wild man Enkidu. Accepting ones own mortality is the overarching theme of the epic as Gilgamesh and Enkidu find their highest purpose in the pursuit of eternal life.

    Read More

  • The Desire for Everlasting Life and Gilgamesh

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    So in the end, Gilgamesh comes to accept his fate. He begins to appreciate what he has, rulership over a beautiful city. He stops worrying about what the future may hold. In the end, none of us can know what the future holds, but we can appreciate and live for the day.

    Read More

More about The Quest For Eternal Life In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Open Document