The retold poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, was written in the third millennium B.C. (7) during the time of Mesopotamia. Unknowingly discovered on clay tablets located in Nineveh (modern day Iraq) by Englishman Austen Henry Layard (9), the poem expresses the tale of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his experiences before the day of the flood (61). The epic includes a prologue, describing how king Gilgamesh was created by the gods:Shamash, endowing him with beauty, Adad, endowing him with courage, and the great gods endowing him with perfection. The gods describe him as two thirds god, and one third man (61). In the first section AFTER THE PROLOGUE, Gilgamesh’s power is described as evil and forced, as he choosingly rapes women, rampages through
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While the killing of Humbaba does not affect the men’s relationship(81-83), when the Bull of Heaven is killed, Enkidu suffers the price, and ultimately dies(93). Gilgamesh, saddened at his friend’s death by the gods, speaks a poem to them in hopes of their understanding (94-95). Gilgamesh eventually sets off to find everlasting life, and through his journey hears a story from Utnapishtim, about when the gods tried to flood the Earth and destroy humankind(108-113). In brief, Gilgamesh attempts to find a plant to obtain immorality, but is shorthanded by the offering, realizing later that he cannot live forever, and as Enlil explains, “[Gilgamesh was] given the kingship, such was [his] destiny, everlasting life was not [his] destiny” …show more content…
For instance, once Enkidu is killed by the gods, Gilgamesh decides that he must avoid death to not face the tragic ending like Enkidu, as he states: “How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair is in my heart. What my brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead. Because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the gods” (97). The theme of death is very prominent in this quote--rather than revenge--as Gilgamesh faces that inevitable fear that he one day, will be like Enkidu. His long and treacherous journey to see Utnapishtim is anything but closure; rather, to be given the blessing of everlasting life Utnapishtim has
While the killing of Humbaba does not affect the men’s relationship(81-83), when the Bull of Heaven is killed, Enkidu suffers the price, and ultimately dies(93). Gilgamesh, saddened at his friend’s death by the gods, speaks a poem to them in hopes of their understanding (94-95). Gilgamesh eventually sets off to find everlasting life, and through his journey hears a story from Utnapishtim, about when the gods tried to flood the Earth and destroy humankind(108-113). In brief, Gilgamesh attempts to find a plant to obtain immorality, but is shorthanded by the offering, realizing later that he cannot live forever, and as Enlil explains, “[Gilgamesh was] given the kingship, such was [his] destiny, everlasting life was not [his] destiny” …show more content…
For instance, once Enkidu is killed by the gods, Gilgamesh decides that he must avoid death to not face the tragic ending like Enkidu, as he states: “How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair is in my heart. What my brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead. Because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the gods” (97). The theme of death is very prominent in this quote--rather than revenge--as Gilgamesh faces that inevitable fear that he one day, will be like Enkidu. His long and treacherous journey to see Utnapishtim is anything but closure; rather, to be given the blessing of everlasting life Utnapishtim has