Epic Of Gilgamesh

Analysis of Gilgamesh The ancient Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh was a record and fable of the King Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality. The historic King Gilgamesh ruled around 2700 B.C.E. but the oldest found recording of the Epic Gilgamesh is dated to around 2000 B.C.E. The epic poem itself is loosely based upon plausible events from the King’s life. The added supernatural events throughout are characteristic of an epic, but those very elements also reflect the beliefs and practices of the ancient societies. The author of Gilgamesh was no single person; it evolved over millennia and was compiled by different reciters. The only reason it was recorded was to have an available copy available in the royal court. The Royals enjoyed hearing
Although Gilgamesh takes risks that would not be possible to survive by any other human he is not hunting out death. He was searching for the glory and legacy he could leave that would also metaphorically make him immortal. Before going on one of his quests Gilgamesh spoke to the elders of the city for advisory on killing Humbaba. The elders tell him why he should not kill Humbaba and after hearing all of the reasons he said to Enkidu “I am afraid to die” (p 50). To be afraid of death is a human quality. The human qualities within him prevailed, although he was more god than human. This proved that when he was unwilling to give into death and let himself die. Furthermore, when Gilgamesh and Enkidu go to fight Humbaba there is a moment when Gilgamesh falters before giving the death blow (p 60). Enkidu has to remind Gilgamesh that the monster Humbaba is not going to spare their lives as he claims. Enkidu is essentially reminding Gilgamesh of the fear of death he possesses; in order to save their lives. Fear being used as motivation can be connected to the animalistic nature Enkidu and Gilgamesh both have. Enkidu was raised in the forest and born in the wild, but Gilgamesh had him made into a man by teaching him the ways of society. When Enkidu has to use fear, something that is connected to the time before he knew Gilgamesh, he symbolically shows that not all of nature is as useless to experience as Gilgamesh presumed. Gilgamesh originally identified with the more godly side of himself but it proves to him through this experience that he is similar to other humans by making decisions based on emotions. Throughout the epic Gilgamesh slowly connects to the human side of himself. The more Gilgamesh is forced to connect with this human side the more his resistance increases; this is why he attempts to make the ultimate step away from humanity by pursuing