Epic Of Gilgamesh Essays

Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay
I.Introduction.
Gilgamesh epic which was written in cuneiform and found in 1845 is an earliest recorded work of
literature. Gilgamesh was the king of the great ancient walled city of Uruk. This paper will present
Gilgamesh epic myth analysis starting with the historical context which will be followed by world
view. The psychological context then will discuss the main psychological elements of the epic.
Finally, the contemporary themes will relate the epic themes to the current situation and events.
II.Historical View
The significance of the great flood, Gilgamesh as a bad king, and Utanapishtim (the survivor of the
great flood) will be discussed to show their significance to the historical content of this great ancient
epic.
A.The Great...show more content...
The great grief and sorrow of Enkidu's death makes Gilgamesh to start to think how he can be
immortal. In search of an eternal life, Gilgamesh started his journey to find Utanapishtim whom he
knows got an eternal life after the great flood.
B.Belly of the wolf
Gilgamesh faces difficulties on his adventure to find Utanapishtim. He fought wild beasts and
crossed the waters of deaths. However, the tunnel of Mount Mashu which extends 36 mile totally
dark was the main abyss of Gilgamesh. According to the World Mythology book of Rosenberg, the
darkness was so thick that Gilgamesh could not see anything behind or in front of him. After
Gilgamesh crossed the tunnel his cheeks was so pale and his face was so gaunt which clearly shows
how difficult was the journey.
C.Atonement with the Father
After crossing the death of waters with Urshanabi, Gilgamesh was able to find the Faraway–
Utanapishitm. Utanapishtim challenged Gilgamesh not to go sleep for a week to test and make
him believe he is mortal. Gilgamesh failed the test and accepted his fate as mortal. Though,
Gilgamesh was not able to get the immortality but he was able to learn the wisdom of living from
the wise
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Epic Of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about the adventures of Gilgamesh, and it
is narrated through twelve tablets. According to Makin, it has a Sumerian origin, considered one
of the earliest known literary writings, even it talks about the flood like in the Bible. Based to the
definition given by the Oxford dictionaries, we can say that it is considered as an epic because it is
a long poem, centered in a hero narrating his adventures, using god characters, and the hero faces
obstacles.
The story starts telling who was the principal character, Gilgamesh, and his behavior with the people
from Uruk. Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk, two thirds god and one third human, with superhuman
strength. His power has not comparison so the gods created Enkidu to make a balance and confront
Gilgamesh. Enkidu, seemed and acted like a beast, had his body full of hair, and he was seduced by
a Gilgamesh's prostitute to humanize him. The epic continues telling that Enkidu and Gilgamesh
became friends. Both were looking adventures and killed Humbaba attracting the goddess Ishtar's
attention, and she falls in love with Gilgamesh but he latter refuses to her angering the...show more
content...
Gilgamesh and Enkidu killed the bull, but the gods were enraged by this fact and punished Enkidu
with death. Gilgamesh looks

Essay on Epic of Gilgamesh
Title:Gilgamesh Type:Epic Author: Anonymous Theme:The central idea of Gilgamesh was the
greed that he had to receive eternal life. Gilgamesh was a selfish person who was half god and
half man and wanted to keep his youth after seeing Enkidu die. Gilgamesh knew his destiny was
not to receive eternal life because he was half man. He decided to go against the odds to fight
against not having eternal life searching for the secret despite what the Gods told him.
Exposition:The story dates between 2500–1500 B.C. Gilgamesh ruled in Uruk, a city in ancient
Mesopotamia. Protagonist:The epic is centered on Gilgamesh because he is the main character and
ruler of Uruk who in the beginning is rude and arrogant and has a journey...show more content...
Crisis:Death is the crisis for Gilgamesh and the fact he is half man is preventing him from living
forever. He decides to ignore the advice given to the gods and goes on a quest to find the boatman
Utnapishtim for eternal life. Climax:Gilgamesh goes on his journey for everlasting life and find
the boat man Utnapishtim for everlasting life. First, Gilgamesh is challenged to stay awake for 6
days and 7 nights, but he fails at the task. Secondly, he tells Gilgamesh that a prickly plant has the
answer for his eternal life and if he is able to capture it he will hold in his hands the answer for his
youth. As Gilgamesh goes to cleanse him self, a serpent takes his plant and Gilgamesh is
saddened because this now means death is in his path. He decides to make plans to take the plant
to the elderly men to renew their youth which shows leadership as a king is suppose to be.
Resolution or Denouement: In the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh the people of Uruk saw
Gilgamesh as a lousy, obnoxious, arrogant ruler. After his journeys to find everlasting life his heart
began to soften and see a different perspective of life. It was revealed long after Gilgamesh's death
that he was actually considered a god. This helps explain his fear towards death. Gilgamesh wanted
to physically be a great warrior until the end of time opposed to just another historic memory.
Although it was not actually death he was afraid of,

Epic of Gilgamesh Essay
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of earliest known pieces of literature. Through years of storytelling
and translation, The Epic of Gilgamesh became a timeless classic. This story is believed to have
originated from Sumerian poems and legends about the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. Throughout the
epic, many themes arose about women, love, and journeys and the one I would like to discuss is the
theme of death. Also, I will discuss if Gilgamesh accepts morality at the end of the story and the
development of Gilgamesh's character throughout the story. The story mainly focuses on the
character Gilgamesh and this wild man created by the gods, Enkidu in which Gilgamesh and Enkidu
later become good friends. Together they go upon quests to defeat...show more content...
But when Enkidu dies while fighting Humbaba, one can tell a change in Gilgamesh's character.
Since Enkidu was his close and only friend, it makes it more visible that everyone is mortal. One
may say that, by going into the forest and facing Humbaba, Gilgamesh makes a name for himself
and changes the views of the people in his city. The great accomplishment of killing Humbaba
makes him a better person because he protects his city and for his love of Enkidu and his people.
This is a considerable amount of change from the beginning of the story. There are no major
changes in the character of Gilgamesh until Enkidu enters the picture. Enkidu is the primary
reason for the ultimate changes in the personality and maturity of Gilgamesh. The main factor
contributing to the changes in Gilgamesh the love that develops with Enkidu. Enkidu is made to
make Gilgamesh more human. In the first paragraph of the book the gods are angry with
Gilgamesh and send down an equal of himself, they send down Enkidu. After becoming friends,
Gilgamesh changes because he has an equal to be with. From Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh is met by
Shamash, the Sun God, who tells him, "You will never find the life for which you are searching."
This upsets Gilgamesh because he has traveled so far for someone to tell him he cannot have what
he wants and is looking for. For there, Gilgamesh travels to see Siduri by the sea. Siduri will not let
Gilgamesh pass to through to see Utnapishtim, the only man with eternal

Epic of Gilgamesh Essay examples
Good King, Bad Kind
Gilgamesh existed as one of the oldest known Sumerian rulers of all time and is accredited to many
accomplishments. Legend has it that he created the first Sumerian civilization, constructing a city
with many elaborate temples and immense walls. However, he has also been characterized as one of
the cruelest and most self–centered rulers of all. Throughout the course of Gilgamesh's life he goes
from being a womanizing, slave driving ruler to a negligent and stubborn king, who not even
god–sent Enkidu could help transform into a better king.
At first, Gilgamesh is a controlling and arrogant king, who thinks only of himself. He constantly
works the men, building enormous walls surrounding the...show more content...
The two immediately become companions because Gilgamesh finally finds his match. They set off
on an adventure to destroy the cedar forest and its guardian, Humbaba, all to be forever
remembered. Gilgamesh appears to be improving his ways and not exasperating his people.
However, Gilgamesh then takes his journey to be remembered one step too far and kills the bull
of heaven. This infuriates the gods so greatly that they decide that one out of Gilgamesh and
Enkidu must pay for their actions. The gods therefore bestow a deadly illness upon Enkidu, which
brings about his death. Enkidu's death devastates Gilgamesh, for he not only loses his best friend,
but also comes to the realization that he soon too will die. Not only does Gilgamesh lose his best
friend, but he also comes to the realization that he will also die some day. Thus, Gilgamesh decides
to seek out immortality so he will not have to endure death.
Gilgamesh sets out on his journey for immortality, leaving his kingdom and people behind to fend
for themselves. He starts to become self–seeking just as he had before. He spends every waking
moment searching for immortality only to benefit himself. The whole purpose of the journey itself
is so that Gilgamesh can gain immortality for himself and be remembered forever. He doesn't realize
that his people are off on there own with no king to control the empire. Even when

The Epic of Gilgamesh Essay
There are many vices and virtues displayed in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a
tale from ancient Babylon. Its hero, Gilgamesh the king of Uruk, is two–thirds god and one–third
man. Throughout the epic, which consists of three stories, the character of Gilgamesh is
developed. This is accomplished by changing the vices he possesses at the start of the epic, and
replacing them with virtues he receives by its completion. "A virtue is a quality of righteousness,
goodness, or moral excellence; any good quality or admirable trait of a character." (Halsey Collier's
Dictionary 1114) "A vice is an immoral or harmful habit or practice; fault or fall" (Halsey Collier's
Dictionary 1111). Gilgamesh is not the only character in the...show more content...
This stubbornness proves fatal to Enkidu, for later in the epic, he suffers death as punishment for his
role in killing Humbaba.
Gilgamesh is not a completely flawed character; he possesses, and obtains through his adventures,
many positive qualities or virtues. For example, he is courageous. This virtue is evident during
his battle with Humbaba. This forest giant is a fearsome adversary, aided by the gods, with a
considerable size and strength advantage. Defeat of Humbaba takes the combined efforts of
Gilgamesh and Enkidu. To succeed, Gilgamesh had to gain the courage to undergo this task.
Enkidu rallies his friend by saying, "O Gilgamesh, remember now your boasts in Uruk. Forward,
attacks, son of Uruk, there is nothing to fear." (Sandars 20) With this, Gilgamesh's "courage railed"
(Sandars 20). He defeats and eventually kills Humbaba for which he is subsequently praised.
The virtue of loyalty in the Epic of Gilgamesh is best illustrated by the character Enkidu. He is
introduced in the epic as a counter to Gilgamesh. Created by the goddess Aruru, Enkidu, a wild
and solitary person, is defeated in a wrestling match by Gilgamesh. He then becomes a loyal and
faithful friend to the king. This loyalty is tested before the battle with Humbaba. Enkidu, aware of
the giant's powers and strengths, pleads to Gilgamesh, "You do not know this monster and that is the
reason you are not afraid. I who

Epic Of Gilgamesh Essays

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Epic Of Gilgamesh Essays