Explain what you believe the Epic of Gilgamesh tells us about the quest for immortality.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, there are many instances clearly defining man’s distinction from the gods. Primarily, that men are mortal while the gods are not. Despite the best efforts of the titular character, this fact remains true, reminding the audience that true immortality is the realm of the gods, and while man may aspire to live forever, they cannot escape mortality.
Gilgamesh’s feelings towards death change drastically after encountering the Bull of Heaven. Ishtar, offended by Gilgamesh and Enkidu running amuck, convinces the other gods that one of them must die. While suffering sickness, and waiting for death, Enkidu’s visions of the Underworld terrify Gilgamesh, and after Enkidu finally dies, Gilgamesh cries out, “Enkidu has died. Must I die too? Must Gilgamesh be like that?” Gilgamesh mourns the loss of his friend, but also the inevitability of death. Soon after Gilgamesh
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However, Gilgamesh is unable to pass the test and Utnapishtim sends him home, but before Gilgamesh leaves, Utnapishtim imparts on him one last hope for a semblance of immortality. It is a plant that will restore a man’s youth to him. Pleased his journey won’t be all for naught, Gilgamesh successfully obtains the plant, but before he can return with it to Uruk, it is snatched away from him by a snake. This scene cements the idea that immortality is reserved only for the gods and life itself is fleeting, with no hope for man to hold onto it.
In the end, Gilgamesh finally comes to accept his search for immortality as fruitless. True immortality is a gift only reserved for the gods and man has his fate and that fate is to die. The Epic of Gilgamesh illustrates that immortality will always be unachievable for mortals and that instead we must cherish cherish the time we are