Death’s Significant Role In The Epic of Gilgamesh Essay Sample

Death is a common factor that will affect everyone, no matter race, religion or culture. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 1) Death will always have a stronghold on the human condition, and everyone will face it at some point. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 2) In both fiction and reality, many people have sought immortality. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 3) Gilgamesh and his friend go through the cycle of accepting death in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one tablet at a time. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 4) Gilgamesh begins by acknowledging death, but not in the context of his own life. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 5) Gilgamesh is haunted with the thought after losing Enkidu, he has had firsthand experience with it. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 6) In his denial of death, he seeks immortality. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 7) Throughout his journey, he comes to the realization that he must accept death and become the person he wishes to be in his remaining life. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 8) Gilgamesh goes through the cycle of recognizing, experiencing, denial, and finally accepting death in the Epic of Gilgamesh. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 1 Line 9)

Gilgamesh is a young demigod who thinks he can do whatever he wants. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 10) He has no fear of consequences and does not dwell on death; he may believe, as young and naive people do, that he can live forever. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 11) He meets Enkidu, and after becoming friends, they embark on a journey to assassinate Humbaba. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 12) In the forest, Gilgamesh becomes concerned about the impending battle and begins to contemplate death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 13) He is confronted with one of the first true life-or- death situations, as well as questions about mortality. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 14) Enkidu wishes to retreat but Gilgamesh persuades him that they will stand firm together. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 15) According to the text, “My friend, you who are so experienced in battle, who … fighting, you … and (need) not fear death.” (The Epic of Gilgamesh Tablet 4 page 43) Gilgamesh tells Enkidu that he should not be afraid of death because the battle will save their lives through fame. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 17) The two warriors realize that life is fleeting and the only thing that lasts is fame. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 2 Line 18)

Gilgamesh and Enkidu enrage Ishtar after killing Humbaba. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 19) Gilgamesh rejects her marriage proposal, so she sends a bull to kill Gilgamesh. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 20) Although Gilgamesh defeats the bull, Ishtar vents her rage on Enkidu. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 21) Gilgamesh is forced to witness his friend’s slow and agonizing death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 22) Gilgamesh must confront the reality of death at this point in his life. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 23) Enkidu dies unhappy and dissatisfied because he is not dying in battle. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 24) Enkidu tells Gilgamesh, “My friend hates me … (once), while he talked with me in Uruk, as I was afraid of the battle (with Humbaba) he encouraged me, My friend  who saved me in battle and has now abandoned me! I and you …” (The Epic of Gilgamesh Tablet 4) Enkidu accuses Gilgamesh of abandoning him and laments the fact that he is dying without a fight. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 26) Enkidu takes a piece of Gilgamesh with him when he dies. (Death and Immortality the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 27) Gilgamesh, who is now broken and alone, must face his death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 28) He is enraged that the Gods can live forever and denies that all mortals must die. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 29) To avoid death, he embarks on a quest for immortality. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 3 Line 30)

Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality is guided by his denial of death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 31) He is so distraught that he seeks out Utnapishtim in the hope of discovering the secret to immortality. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 33) The text depicts his bereaved state of self-existence, “My friend whom I love has turned to clay. Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?” (The Epic of Gilgamesh Tablet 10 page 61) Gilgamesh is unable to accept that he will suffer the same fate as Enkidu. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 35) Gilgamesh finally meets Utapishtim after a long journey and is told the story of the flood. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 36) Utnapishtim explains that the Gods have purposefully made life brief. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 37) He informs Gilgamesh that his quest for immortality is futile and that he must accept that death is unavoidable. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 38) Utnapishtim teaches him that the quality of one's time spent alive and the people one surrounds himself with are more important than fame and fortune. (Death and Immortality Paragraph 4 Line 39) Utnapishtim’s sleeping test demonstrates that sleep is a factor in death, but it is also a fundamental need of the body. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 40) Gilgamesh has a body and cannot pass the test. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 41) Gilgamesh finally realizes that he must accept the death transform to the person he wishes to be in his remaining life. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 42) Gilgamesh is given the mortality plant, but it is stolen by a snake. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 43) It is at the point that he realizes his quest is sacred and that he cannot be immortal. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 44) He accepts death and chooses to live for today rather than for tomorrow and the looming presence of death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 45) Gilgamesh is briefly reunited with Enkidu in the final tablet. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 46) When Gilgamesh inquires about the underworld, Enkidu responds that life is better in Gilgamesh’s world. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 47) The wealthier you are in this life (children, friends, and reputation), the better off you will be in the afterlife. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 4 Line 48)

Throughout his life, Gilgamesh learns a great deal about death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 49) He learns lessons from his experiences, which ultimately shape who he is as a person. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 50) Gilgamesh has many epiphanies about death and eventually comes to accept it as an unavoidable state. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 51) Gilgamesh eventually learns the afterlife is worse than life on Earth, so there is no happy ending for him. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 52) However, as a result of his experiences, he has changed and matured. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 53) In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh goes through the cycle of recognizing, experiencing, rejecting, and finally accepting death. (Death and Immortality in the Epic of Gilgamesh Paragraph 5 Line 54)