FREE ESSAY ON GILGAMESH

GILGAMESH

Gilgamesh is an epic that has been passed down for thousands of years. The epic narrates
the legendary deeds of the main character Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is two-thirds immortal and
one-third mortal; however, he cannot accept his fate that one day he too will die. The
entire epic tells the story of Gilgamesh's life and searche for immortality. Through his
many trials and tribulations, Gilgamesh proves that he has great physical strength.
However, throughout the epic Gilgamesh also shows he is emotionally unstable and
immature. The author created Gilgamesh with this flaw of immaturity so that he would be a
more believable character.
The depth of Gilgamesh's physical strength first appears to the reader in the prologue.
Gilgamesh is said to be the man to whom all things are known. The gods created him with
great care giving him beauty and courage. The great gods made his beauty perfect,
surpassing all others, terrifying like a great wild bull. Furthermore, his beauty and
power were like that of no other man.
The story begins by stating that Gilgamesh is an overbearing king. He never sleeps due to
his over indulgence in life. Gilgamesh keeps the city in disruption involving anyone he
pleases in his corrupt demands. He sleeps with all the virgins before they are married,
therefore, making them impure before their husbands have a chance to sleep with them. If
Gilgamesh were a mature king, he would see no reason to show he is the most powerful. He
would lead his people with only good intentions and rule the land justly.
Even though Gilgamesh demonstrates great physical strength in defeating Humbaba and by
killing the Bull of Heaven, his emotional strength is put to the test when Enkidu, his
companion, dies. Gilgamesh wants everyone and everything to mourn his death. He could not
accept Enkidu's death. Seven days and seven nights he wept for Enkidu, until the worm
fastened on him. His irrational actions prove Gilgamesh is emotionally unstable and
immature.
Another example of Gilgamesh's immaturity is his infatuation with immortality. He
abandons his normal way of life, leaves Uruk, and begins a new life as a hunter.
Gilgamesh goes on a long and dangerous journey to find Utnapishtim, a man who was given
eternal life by the gods, to find out how he escaped death. However, Gilgamesh soon finds
out that death is unavoidable.
Throughout the epic of Gilgamesh, the characteristics of immaturity are very apparent to
the reader. Most stories have a heroic character that does not have any flaws, and the
hero's attributes are unattainable by normal humans. However, because Gilgamesh does have
imperfect characteristics, he seems more believable to the reader. The reader is able to
relate to him and compare fears and sorrows. For instance, many people are scared of
death or how they will die. Through this fear of dying, they can relate to Gilgamesh.
Therefore, Gilgamesh's weaknesses add to the story and make Gilgamesh a more realistic
character.