Throughout most literary works a significant transition in the main character, or hero can be seen as the story is developed. An example of this is in the Epic of Gilgamesh, in the narrative poem, one of the main characters, Gilgamesh acts in many different ways; overbearing ruler who is unloved by his people, a strong fighter, and a man who finds contentment with his accomplishments. Through all of his many transitions, we see Gilgamesh 's attitude change drastically as well as the goals he has for himself. Gilgamesh transitions from a shallow unkind ruler into a caring and introspective man. The Epic of Gilgamesh starts with the men of Uruk describing Gilgamesh as tyrannical leader. " 'No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes
…show more content…
This is Gilgamesh’s biggest transition, he becomes scared of death and more cautious with his own life; Enkidu and Gilgamesh’s friendship was a strong bond that death broke. “Hear me, great ones of Uruk, I weep for Enkidu, my friend” (Mack, 30). Enkidu’s death causes Gilgamesh to lose his ability to deny his own mortality might say a lover, he has also lost his ability deny his own mortality.
Abruptly abandoning glory, wealth, and power, all of which are worldly aspirations that he as king had once epitomized, he begins a quest to learn the secret of eternal life. Before, when Gilgamesh went on a journey he did not try to avoid death, but he went to find glory and everlasting fame no matter the cost. Now, aware of his mortality, he wanders in fear of death, seeking a solution.
Gone is the cocky, unwaveringly boastful Gilgamesh, the loss of his friend has somewhat humbled him, he knows death is real and panics, he then begins his search for everlasting life. His fear of death pushes Gilgamesh to look for Utnapishtim in the far away, where the key of immortality is held. Through many obstacles, he finally reaches the far away and finds Utnapishtim and his wife. He begs for the secret of immortality, desperately waiting for an answer to his prayers, then Utnapishtim speaks, “I will reveal to you a mystery, I will tell you a secret of the gods” ( Mack, …show more content…
He must stay awake for seven days and seven nights, yet he fails in his task almost immediately, when he finally wakes, Gilgamesh is grief stricken, not wanting to make the long journey with nothing to show for it. Utnapishtim takes pity on Gilgamesh and tells hims where the plant of immortality is hidden, “There is a plant that grows under the water…it will wound your hands, but if you succeed in taking it, then your hands will hold that which restores his lost youth to a man” (Mack, 40). Gilgamesh’s urgency takes over, he ties stones to his feet and sinks to the deepest part of the sea where he finds the plant growing.
With immortality, quite literally in his grasp Gilgamesh gathers himself for the journey back to Uruk to give to all of his subjects, that shows Gilgamesh has grown as a character. Since the beginning of the story, little by little Gilgamesh has gone from self-centered to giving. However, he does not make it home with the plant of immortality, Gilgamesh stops to bathe in a pool and rest and while he is not paying attention, a serpent appears, “It rose out of the water and snatched it away”( Mack p.41). All of Gilgamesh’s hard work is suddenly ripped away all in one instant by
This is Gilgamesh’s biggest transition, he becomes scared of death and more cautious with his own life; Enkidu and Gilgamesh’s friendship was a strong bond that death broke. “Hear me, great ones of Uruk, I weep for Enkidu, my friend” (Mack, 30). Enkidu’s death causes Gilgamesh to lose his ability to deny his own mortality might say a lover, he has also lost his ability deny his own mortality.
Abruptly abandoning glory, wealth, and power, all of which are worldly aspirations that he as king had once epitomized, he begins a quest to learn the secret of eternal life. Before, when Gilgamesh went on a journey he did not try to avoid death, but he went to find glory and everlasting fame no matter the cost. Now, aware of his mortality, he wanders in fear of death, seeking a solution.
Gone is the cocky, unwaveringly boastful Gilgamesh, the loss of his friend has somewhat humbled him, he knows death is real and panics, he then begins his search for everlasting life. His fear of death pushes Gilgamesh to look for Utnapishtim in the far away, where the key of immortality is held. Through many obstacles, he finally reaches the far away and finds Utnapishtim and his wife. He begs for the secret of immortality, desperately waiting for an answer to his prayers, then Utnapishtim speaks, “I will reveal to you a mystery, I will tell you a secret of the gods” ( Mack, …show more content…
He must stay awake for seven days and seven nights, yet he fails in his task almost immediately, when he finally wakes, Gilgamesh is grief stricken, not wanting to make the long journey with nothing to show for it. Utnapishtim takes pity on Gilgamesh and tells hims where the plant of immortality is hidden, “There is a plant that grows under the water…it will wound your hands, but if you succeed in taking it, then your hands will hold that which restores his lost youth to a man” (Mack, 40). Gilgamesh’s urgency takes over, he ties stones to his feet and sinks to the deepest part of the sea where he finds the plant growing.
With immortality, quite literally in his grasp Gilgamesh gathers himself for the journey back to Uruk to give to all of his subjects, that shows Gilgamesh has grown as a character. Since the beginning of the story, little by little Gilgamesh has gone from self-centered to giving. However, he does not make it home with the plant of immortality, Gilgamesh stops to bathe in a pool and rest and while he is not paying attention, a serpent appears, “It rose out of the water and snatched it away”( Mack p.41). All of Gilgamesh’s hard work is suddenly ripped away all in one instant by