Gilgamesh: The Epic Hero Unlike the heroes of Greek, the protagonist of The Epic of Gilgamesh is a real historical figure, a king who reigns over the Sumerian city-state of Uruk around 2700 B.C. (Jager) The Epic of Gilgamesh tells a story of a flustered young king who travels to the end of the world in search of wisdom. While searching for wisdom, Gilgamesh realizes that he needs to accept human mortality and gain courage to lead a compassionate and fruitful life. Gilgamesh is also a brave and adventurous character who exhibits unique characteristics. The elements of an Epic Hero Cycle reveals that Gilgamesh is an epic hero. The elements consist of being a main hero who possess supernatural abilities, being charged of a quest, being tested …show more content…
Gilgamesh encounters Humbaba, gods and goddesses, Utnapishtim, and the scorpion. Gilgamesh was in the presence of Humbaba when he entered the cedar garden to battle. Gilgamesh and Enkindu defeated their opponent. (Sandars) Gilgamesh also converses with Ishtar. Ishtar is the goddess of love and fertility. She becomes upset with Gilgamesh after he offends her. While on his quest for immortality, Gilgamesh is approached by two scorpions. One scorpion then states, “Only a god would dare approach us,” “Two thirds god,” corrected the other. “One third man.” “Why have you traveled so far,” demanded the first scorpion. (Sandars) Gilgamesh then tells them that he is looking for Utapishtim. Once Gilgamesh finishes talking to the scorpions, he then finds Utapishtim. Utapishtim is a wise king that survives the flood and is promised to live forever at the mount of rivers. While chatting with Utapishtim, Gilgamesh asks how he did he become immortal. Utapishtim then tells him the story about the flood. Later in conversation, Utapishtim tells Gilgamesh that he must stay awake for seven days to become immortal. He also tells him how to retrieve the