How Does Gilgamesh Exist
The Epic Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest known pieces of literature. According to Sumerian tradition, he was an early ruler of the city-state of Uruk. “He is said to be the son of the god Ninsun and a mortal father, however, historians have not obtained clear details on that matter” (McCaughrean, pg.5). It is also unclear whether the King Gilgamesh actually existed, but his story still acted as “instructive text” for the people of Mesopotamia.
The Epic of Gilgamesh opens with a prologue that sets off the story of Gilgamesh’s life. The narrator does not have a name, but he states, “I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh” (Ferry, pg. 61). Gilgamesh is a tyrant and exploits his rights as king. He is also arrogant, spiteful, restless, powerful, impulsive, and does whatever he wants to whomever. For example, “There was no withstanding the aura or power of the Wild Ox Gilgamesh. Neither the father’s son nor the wife of the noble; neither the mother’s daughter nor …show more content…
He says that if Gilgamesh thinks he can stay awake for a week then surely he can for an eternity. Gilgamesh fails immediately. So he is ordered to put back on his royal garments again, and return to Uruk where he belongs. Just as he is departing, however, the wife of Utnapishtism convinces him to tell Gilgamesh about a miraculous plant that restores youth. Gilgamesh finds the plant and takes it with him with the intentions of sharing it with the elders of Uruk. But a snake steals the plant one night while camping.
When he returns to Uruk, Gilgamesh is empty-handed but reconciled at last to his mortality. He knows that he cannot live forever, but that humankind will. Gilgamesh now sees that the city he had rejected in his grief and terror is a magnificent, enduring achievement. He sees it as the closes thing to immortality which a mortal can
The Epic of Gilgamesh opens with a prologue that sets off the story of Gilgamesh’s life. The narrator does not have a name, but he states, “I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh” (Ferry, pg. 61). Gilgamesh is a tyrant and exploits his rights as king. He is also arrogant, spiteful, restless, powerful, impulsive, and does whatever he wants to whomever. For example, “There was no withstanding the aura or power of the Wild Ox Gilgamesh. Neither the father’s son nor the wife of the noble; neither the mother’s daughter nor …show more content…
He says that if Gilgamesh thinks he can stay awake for a week then surely he can for an eternity. Gilgamesh fails immediately. So he is ordered to put back on his royal garments again, and return to Uruk where he belongs. Just as he is departing, however, the wife of Utnapishtism convinces him to tell Gilgamesh about a miraculous plant that restores youth. Gilgamesh finds the plant and takes it with him with the intentions of sharing it with the elders of Uruk. But a snake steals the plant one night while camping.
When he returns to Uruk, Gilgamesh is empty-handed but reconciled at last to his mortality. He knows that he cannot live forever, but that humankind will. Gilgamesh now sees that the city he had rejected in his grief and terror is a magnificent, enduring achievement. He sees it as the closes thing to immortality which a mortal can