Sydney A. Hall
Professor Brien Garnand
Interdisciplinary Humanities: Egypt and the Near East
10 October 2016 Mankind's Affinity to Immortality Gilgamesh, Adapa, and Aqhat all depict mankind's quest for immortality as a result of the tragedy of a central character through death or through injury, they furthermore exhibit common traits of humanity (emotional maturity, cleverness, aloofness), and lastly, a failure to attain immortality. The three epic heros also show a close relationship to divinities. The climax of Gilgamesh occurs after Enkidu is cursed by the gods for slaying the Bull of Heaven (ANET 54; Tablet VII Gilgamesh 10). Gilgamesh's mourning from Enkidu's death serves as a catalyst for him to embark on a quest for immortality. Similarly, Adapa tears the wing of South Wind so that he can fish from the ocean (ANET 74; Adapa 10). Ea forces him to disguise himself and ascend the skies to speak with Anu and atone for his …show more content…
Gilgamesh does so knowingly, traveling to to Utnapishtim to gain special knowledge of the flood. He then finds a sacred plant with restorative properties (ANET 40; Tablet XI;Gilgamesh 280). Adapa inadvertently finds himself on a quest for immortality when he travels to the Gates of Anu/Anzu. Though, unlike Gilgamesh, he is completely aloof and falls for Ea's deception. Ea instructs Adapa not to eat the food of the gods as it will cause him to die (ANET 74; Adapa 30). We soon learn the irony in Ea's instructions, as Anu reveals that the food will make Adapa immortal (ANET 74; Aqhat 60). Similarly, Aqhat is also given the opportunity to be immortal by Maiden Anath in exchange for his bow and arrow. Aqhat does not believe Maiden Anath. “Fib not to my, O Maiden; for to a youth thy fibbing is loathsome.” ( ANET 149-55; Aqhat 30). Here, as with Adapa, Aqhat is oblivious to the possibility of immortality and refuses to give up his
Professor Brien Garnand
Interdisciplinary Humanities: Egypt and the Near East
10 October 2016 Mankind's Affinity to Immortality Gilgamesh, Adapa, and Aqhat all depict mankind's quest for immortality as a result of the tragedy of a central character through death or through injury, they furthermore exhibit common traits of humanity (emotional maturity, cleverness, aloofness), and lastly, a failure to attain immortality. The three epic heros also show a close relationship to divinities. The climax of Gilgamesh occurs after Enkidu is cursed by the gods for slaying the Bull of Heaven (ANET 54; Tablet VII Gilgamesh 10). Gilgamesh's mourning from Enkidu's death serves as a catalyst for him to embark on a quest for immortality. Similarly, Adapa tears the wing of South Wind so that he can fish from the ocean (ANET 74; Adapa 10). Ea forces him to disguise himself and ascend the skies to speak with Anu and atone for his …show more content…
Gilgamesh does so knowingly, traveling to to Utnapishtim to gain special knowledge of the flood. He then finds a sacred plant with restorative properties (ANET 40; Tablet XI;Gilgamesh 280). Adapa inadvertently finds himself on a quest for immortality when he travels to the Gates of Anu/Anzu. Though, unlike Gilgamesh, he is completely aloof and falls for Ea's deception. Ea instructs Adapa not to eat the food of the gods as it will cause him to die (ANET 74; Adapa 30). We soon learn the irony in Ea's instructions, as Anu reveals that the food will make Adapa immortal (ANET 74; Aqhat 60). Similarly, Aqhat is also given the opportunity to be immortal by Maiden Anath in exchange for his bow and arrow. Aqhat does not believe Maiden Anath. “Fib not to my, O Maiden; for to a youth thy fibbing is loathsome.” ( ANET 149-55; Aqhat 30). Here, as with Adapa, Aqhat is oblivious to the possibility of immortality and refuses to give up his