Epic Of Gilgamesh Suffering

Human suffering is one of the major themes in The Epic of Gilgamesh. When confronting with painful circumstances in our lives, we often ask ourselves why is life so difficult and wonder if suffering is necessary. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the two heroes, Gilgamesh and Enkidu both go through suffering either physically or mentally. There are many beliefs to the reason why suffering is inevitable. In this epic, it is portrayed that the two heroes’ sufferings are the results of their fundamental flaws, such as their hubris and their attachments of to be remembered. Through suffering, they learn the nature of reality and accept their limitations. Gilgamesh suffers from attempting to obtain glory and immortality. In the beginning, Gilgamesh tyrannized

The gods punish the two heroes by ending Enkidu’s life and leave Gilgamesh behind. After twelve days of suffering, he dies in a slow, inglorious death (62). Enkidu represents the wildness in humanity. After his journey with Gilgamesh, he becomes civilized, more mature and closer to humanity. Enkidu was afraid of confronting Humbaba, but because of their friendship he overcomes his fear (29). Since Gilgamesh and Enkidu are presented as inhuman. Both of them have attained humanity when Enkidu died. Enkidu feels fearful when he is dying, as well as feeling depressed that he is leaving Gilgamesh (55). Thus, through suffering he becomes more mature and obtains the characteristics of

In Buddhism, desire and ignorance are the root of suffering; although, suffering is unavoidable but can also be a stimulus for personal and spiritual growth. Gilgamesh’s suffering also caused by his wants that can never be satisfied and his sufferings lead to his maturity. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh is written in the ancient time, we could still derive the lesson and apply to the modern day, because human’s fundamental traits are basically remaining the same. Buddhism principle of suffering and suffering explained in Gilgamesh are both relevant to our modern society. Nowadays our lives have become more complicated since things are taking more advance. As a result, people’s attachments for tangible goods become more intense, especially celebrities. Celebrities have spent most of their lifetime persisting fame and wealth. However, their sufferings and sacrifices are eventually greater than common people. Everything that they do is exposed on social medias. They cannot do things that the average person can. People constantly judge celebrities and they have to suffer the pain of having to tolerant any negative comments and attacks against them. Thus it can be argued that the lesser attachments you have the lesser sufferings you would undergo. Human’s desires and attachments are unlimited. Everyone wants eternal life and become