The Epic of Gilgamesh, explores the relationship between death and immortalization through the series of stories that Gilgamesh, King of Mesopotamia experiences. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh meets Enkidu, a powerful half man half beast hybrid whom is his equal in strength. Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends and one day, Gilgamesh mentions a demon monster named Humbaba whom “dwells in the forest” and suggests to Enkidu “you and I shall kill him and wipe out something evil from the land” (110). By causing Humbaba’s death, Gilgamesh and Enkidu successfully purge evil from the land, and in this case death functions completely as one initially expects it to function; by killing an evil being, its evil influence ends. Later in the
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Although Gilgamesh is only two thirds god and one third human, he is not immortal. In the text, Enkidu falls ill, and Gilgamesh “would not give him up for burial, until a worm fell out his nose,” later saying “I was frightened. I have grown afraid of death, so I roam the steppe” (138). Gilgamesh realizes that if even his companion, the person he sees as an equal is not immune to death, neither is he. Gilgamesh searches for the only person to receive immortality, Utanpishtim. Gilgamesh then asks him “How did you join the ranks of the gods and find immortality?” (143). Observing death and seeing how it prevents one to become immortalized is exactly what pushes Gilgamesh to pursue eternal life. Being immortal functions normally in this text, it is perceived as the key to becoming immortalized. By becoming immortal, the influence one has on daily life and others around them can continue forever. Therefore, by becoming immortal, one can become immortalized. Although the relationship between death and immortality seems to be inversely connected (death is avoided to achieve immortalization), they are actually connected in parallel; death itself is the stimulus that makes immortalization …show more content…
However, the opposite is in fact true; it is exactly through the process of death that one becomes immortalized. The morning after Enkidu dies from the curse of the gods, Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu’s death and immediately searches for a way to immortalize him. The following morning, “At the first glimmer of dawn, Gilgamesh sent out a proclamation to the land: Hear ye, blacksmith, lapidary, metalworker, goldsmith, jeweler! Make an image of my friend, such as no one ever made of his friend!” (133). In Gilgamesh’s perspective, a perfect resting place built by metalworkers, goldsmiths, and jewelers serves as way to immortalize for Enkidu even after his death. In fact, the morning after Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh expresses his hopes to Enkidu (in spirit) that the people of Uruk “weep for you, without falling silent, night and day,” (132). Initially, death is treated as an ineffective way for one to be immortalized, but as soon as Enkidu dies, death is instead treated as the exact way one can be immortalized. Gilgamesh hopes that people continue to mourn Enkidu’s death far into the future, thus immortalizing Enkidu through the thoughts and emotions of the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh spends the majority of the story participating in actions for the sole purpose of bolstering and establishing his name. During Gilgamesh’s efforts to become
Although Gilgamesh is only two thirds god and one third human, he is not immortal. In the text, Enkidu falls ill, and Gilgamesh “would not give him up for burial, until a worm fell out his nose,” later saying “I was frightened. I have grown afraid of death, so I roam the steppe” (138). Gilgamesh realizes that if even his companion, the person he sees as an equal is not immune to death, neither is he. Gilgamesh searches for the only person to receive immortality, Utanpishtim. Gilgamesh then asks him “How did you join the ranks of the gods and find immortality?” (143). Observing death and seeing how it prevents one to become immortalized is exactly what pushes Gilgamesh to pursue eternal life. Being immortal functions normally in this text, it is perceived as the key to becoming immortalized. By becoming immortal, the influence one has on daily life and others around them can continue forever. Therefore, by becoming immortal, one can become immortalized. Although the relationship between death and immortality seems to be inversely connected (death is avoided to achieve immortalization), they are actually connected in parallel; death itself is the stimulus that makes immortalization …show more content…
However, the opposite is in fact true; it is exactly through the process of death that one becomes immortalized. The morning after Enkidu dies from the curse of the gods, Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu’s death and immediately searches for a way to immortalize him. The following morning, “At the first glimmer of dawn, Gilgamesh sent out a proclamation to the land: Hear ye, blacksmith, lapidary, metalworker, goldsmith, jeweler! Make an image of my friend, such as no one ever made of his friend!” (133). In Gilgamesh’s perspective, a perfect resting place built by metalworkers, goldsmiths, and jewelers serves as way to immortalize for Enkidu even after his death. In fact, the morning after Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh expresses his hopes to Enkidu (in spirit) that the people of Uruk “weep for you, without falling silent, night and day,” (132). Initially, death is treated as an ineffective way for one to be immortalized, but as soon as Enkidu dies, death is instead treated as the exact way one can be immortalized. Gilgamesh hopes that people continue to mourn Enkidu’s death far into the future, thus immortalizing Enkidu through the thoughts and emotions of the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh spends the majority of the story participating in actions for the sole purpose of bolstering and establishing his name. During Gilgamesh’s efforts to become