The Epic of Gilgamesh Applied Today

The Epic of Gilgamesh, known as the oldest piece of surviving literature, is an epic story of a man’s journey and quest for recognition and immortality. We can relate to him today, the thirst for acknowledgement of our life’s accomplishments and our eventual recognition of our own mortality is something that most every human being has experienced or at least witnessed in others. Regardless of the significant time difference and culture of this great piece of literature, the message is enduring. We all want our deeds to be renowned and if we can’t life forever, we at least want to leave our mark on the world.

According to our textbook (page 18), Gilgamesh may have been a real man that lived around 2700 B.C.E. He was remembered for Uruk’s city walls, enduring as some of the portions are still visible today. The walls were ten kilometers (six miles) long and had nine hundred towers! If he was a real man, that is a remarkable feat!  The epic begins with a description of the magnificent walls of Uruk. They are described as a structure that “Which no future king, no human being will equal.” We are instructed to pace out the walls for ourselves and view the foundation, brickwork, copper, and bronze materials, to open and read the lapis tablet for ourselves. 

Gilgamesh “underwent many hardships” during his growth from a “wild bull” to a great King that was remembered for generations. One hopes that his accomplishments and journey for knowledge are remembered more than his immoral, headstrong acts. Before his awareness of his own mortality, he was described as “a wild bull, his head thrust high”, taking advantage of any female in the vicinity – married or unmarried. Gilgamesh was portrayed as “Two-thirds of him was divine, one-third of him was human”. Most Men would be jealous to hear that he was “perfection in height” and “ideally handsome”.

In our culture today, rape is illegal and a terrible act, but we accept pre-marital sex and adultery as common place. The young and old in our time look for temporary happiness in many forms to include alcohol, drugs (legal and illegal), partying, gambling, traveling to exotic locations and many more. Finding temporary happiness is something we can all relate to; since most of us could be found guilty of “looking for love in all the wrong places”.

Gilgamesh forms a strong bond of friendship with Enkidu and together, they make a name for themselves vanquishing a giant, Humbaba, and killing the bull of heaven. After Gilgamesh kills Humbaba, Enkidu praises him saying “You killed the Guardian by your strength”.  Just as Gilgamesh shows determination to meet his goals, people in our culture overcome challenges pushing their mental capacity to the limit obtaining college degrees. Our Olympic athletes push their bodies to perfection preparing for the games each year. Handicapped individuals overcome insurmountable challenges each day. There is something to be said about “no pain, no gain” a mantra many use when they have pushed themselves beyond the norm.

Gilgamesh is not afraid and when the counselors speak to him about his journey to find and slay Humbaba, he boasts “I am afraid to die?”. Like everyone else, Gilgamesh has probably experienced death second-hand or rather the death of acquaintances, neighbors, and enemies, but as he boasts, he does not really believe it will ever be his fate. Until faced with the death of a loved one, death is not real for anyone. He does not really accept it until “a worm fell out of his nose”. Gilgamesh sends his friend off as lavishly as possible just as human beings have for centuries. His grief is vividly shown in Tablet IX when Gilgamesh weeps bitterly and roams the steppe.  Gilgamesh is not afraid to openly weep and grieve his friend, to him, this is not a default in character or make him any less a man.  All must grieve and face the bitter fact that we are mortal and will die someday.  

Gilgamesh pursues eternal life ruthlessly. He doesn’t let small setbacks stop him and faces all kinds of obstacles on his journey to find the secret of eternal life.  The tavern keeper, Siduri, tries to divert him from his quest by telling him that he should enjoy life while he could.  She tells Gilgamesh to “let your stomach be full, Always be happy night and day, Make every day a delight, Night and day play and dance.” Today we say “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.  All the vampire movies are proof that in our time, people are still fascinated with the possibility of living forever.  

The Epic ends with Gilgamesh returning to his city after losing the plant that would renew his life.  Even though he didn’t achieve eternal life, he grew by his journey to find it.  He accepts his mortality and has learned that the deeds he accomplishes while living may last for lifetimes to come.  The lessons that can be found in this epic resound today.  Unless you are lucky enough to be sparkly vampire, death is a reality.  Grief is natural and nothing to be ashamed of and having a close friend is a blessing.  Pursue your goals relentlessly and do not be afraid to face the hardships along the way.  Remember that in generations to come, you can leave your mark on the world!