The Character of Gilgamesh in His Quest for Immortality Essay

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Updated: Mar 19th, 2024

The general facts about the epic poetry

Humanity created a gigantic number of works of art during its entire history. The literary art also passed a long way in its development. Nowadays we know a lot of different books, manuscripts, references, and chronics that belong to different epochs. This work is dedicated to one of the first literary masterpieces in history, the epic poetry of Gilgamesh. The main character’s quest for immortality is analyzed through his way of life, the predetermined impossibility of achieving immortality, his journey to Uta-Napishtim, some of the challenges he has to pass to reach his aim, and his ultimate failure.

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The events that predetermined the impossibility of immortality for Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is epic poetry of Mesopotamia. It is one of the earliest literary works. The protagonist of the story is the Sumerian king Gilgamesh. “He was the fifth representative of the dynasty of Uruk. His reign lasted for 126 years and dated 2600 BC according to the ancient manuscript – Sumerian King List”. (Hooker 216)

The story is mainly based upon the relationship between Gilgamesh and a Wildman created by the gods Enkidu who became his close companion. Though the main character is subhuman and halfgod with supernatural power, it is possible to notice some instances of the behavior, which is regarded as mean and disreputable by the humans. Gilgamesh committees cowardly escape in face of upcoming danger in the episode with Humbaba but then, ruled rather by the thirst of glory than the feeling of mercy, kills the already defeated Humbaba. Thus, the future of the hero is already predetermined. And Gilgamesh will never gain his main aim. As the only most worthy can be equal to gods and achieve immortality.

Gilgamesh’s journey to Uta-Napistim

After the death of Enkidu Gilgamesh falls into deep frustration and doesn’t eat or sleep for a long time. But it is only partially caused by his grief for his friend. “Mostly it is based on the fear of the death and getting into a House of Dust. The idea of eternal life fully grasps him. Here we can see one more manifestation of the weakness of the main hero”.(Lawall 378) And again this event points to the fact that Gilgamesh is an ordinary man who is not worthy to live forever. Still, he decides to find the only human who was gifted with immortality. It is Uta-Napishtim the Far Away.

Then, the Uruk king starts his trip. Firstly he encounters two large scorpions at Mount Mashu and tavern owner Siduri who tries to insure him in the futility of this journey. By these episodes, we can conclude that even insects and ordinary people are much wiser than their king. Furthermore, Gilgamesh is directed to Urshanabi the ferryman, who tells him to get some trees for punting polls, as they are going to cross over the Waters of Death. If a man touches the water in this river he instantly dies.

“Gilgamish, take thee thy ax in [thy] hand; O, descend to the forest,
[Fashion thee] poles each of five gars in length; make (knops of) bitumen,
Sockets, (too), add (to them): bring [them me]”
“After a month and a half, he saw on the third day
How that Ur-Shanabi (now) at the Waters of Death had arrived”. (Thompson 8)

This symbolizes and points out the idea of death as the adherent and necessary part of human life, as even the way to immortality lies through the line of death. And all the humans have to cross it over in their own time.

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Finally, the hero meets Uta-Napistim, who tells him his story of rescuing him from the Great Flood. Again the resemblance with Bible Noah is present there. Gilgamesh has proposed a chance for immortality too. For this, he should stay awake for six days. The king accepts it. But then follows another manifestation of the weakness of Gilgamesh as he falls asleep just after he sits on the ocean coast. The idea of death as a natural process is also realized through the episode when Uta-Napistim’s wife puts bread on Gilgamesh’s feet for every day of his nap. Thus, the hero is ensured that he slept over all of the time of this probation. The first bread has almost decayed, while the sixth one is fresh and soft and fragrant.

Gilgamesh loses his last chance for immortality again showing arrogance and suspiciousness. Despite the directions of Uta-Napistim he doesn’t eat the magic plant but decides to do it in Uruk, testing it on the older man firstly. At night, the snake eats the plant. Deadly disappointed king comes back to Uruk.

The idea and actuality of the epic poetry

So, this story is built upon the ancient world outlook and superstitious beliefs on the fatality of human fate. We may see the manifestation of the weakness of the humans which is based on the groundlessness of their desires. But, though it was written more than 4000 years ago it is still actual in some points. The man can not achieve the idealistic aims by rude and dishonorable methods.

Works Cited

Hooker, Richard. World Civilizations. New York: A Signet Book, 1996.

Lawall, Sarah. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. London: Volume, 2003.

Thompson, R. Campbell. The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Chelsea House, 1928.

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