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Theme of death in literature
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Theme of death in literature
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Homerès odyssey main characters
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Man cannot live for ever this is an indisputable fact; however, long after our mortal bodies decay, we can live on through our children and our children's children. David Ferry’s version of the poem “Gilgamesh” support this idea and synthesises it with other points to support the following theme: no matter how great a man is in living his glory is only valuable if he lives on in his offspring. I believe Gilgamesh’s journey and failure to find immortality supports this, revealing values that early Mesopotamian culture held. After pursuing and failing to find immortality for himself, Gilgamesh pleads to the gods to raise his friend to speak with him about death and its state. The spirit of Enkidu raises and reveals to his friend the following
What caused Gilgamesh live to want immortality? He wanted that everyone never forgets his name after he died. So, keeps his memories alive was the perfect excuse in his searching for the immortality. Also, when he lost his close friend, this pain gave him more reasons in finding the secret of immortality.
Gilgamesh is somewhat bitter with the fact that only gods are able to live forever. When he thinks about death he is very uncomfortable because he feels that he is a mighty warrior of a man and the only thing that will ultimately end him is death. We also see how the death of his beloved friend Enkidu drives him to the edge of the earth in attempt to prolong or completely liberate himself from the same fate. This is a valuable lesson for mankind throughout history. No matter what you may feel or become in the
With Gilgamesh coming to realization of his mortality, he departs from Uruk on a second journey. Unlike the first journey, Gilgamesh isn’t setting off avid for glory and fame. Instead, he is embarking on a journey to discover himself. Gilgamesh was known for ruling with an iron fist, he was able to get away with anything he wanted by invoking fear into the townspeople. On the other hand, Hammurabi of Babylon provides a perfect example of how to treat your townspeople.
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the main character, Gilgamesh wants to live forever, more than anything else. Even from Tablet II, you can see that he wants his to make his name immortal as he knows he will die “As for man, [his days] are numbered whatever he may do, is but wind,...exists not for me…” (19) This passage shows Gilgamesh trying to persuade Enkidu to kill Humbaba by acknowledging that their days are numbered, showing he wants to make a permanent mark on the world–suggesting he doesn’t want to be ‘but wind’. More proof that supports this is how Gilgamesh boasts to the people of Uruk, about his plans to kill Humbaba, “‘Hear me, O young men [of Uruk-the-sheep-fold,] O young men of Uruk, who understand [combat!] Bold as I am I shall tread
He had many extraordinary qualities, and heroic characteristics. The most obvious being that he is a king, a man of highest level in society. He was also known and appreciated for building many walls and temples around his city, which no man who followed ever matched. However, after the presence of Enkidu was made, Gilgamesh started to become the more noble and favored ruler of Uruk. Since he finally knew what it was like to have a companion and someone of his level of greatness, he no longer terrorized his city as he did before, and is still aware that death is inevitable.
Gilgamesh reaches a watershed moment in his life when he recognizes his strengths and shortcomings, develops the capacity to accept change, and continues on his journey within himself. He had been concerned with his ego and mortality up until this time. Nevertheless, as he goes through the underworld, he is forced to accept his mortality and come to terms with the idea that death is an unavoidable part of existence. Gilgamesh ultimately returns to Uruk after recognizing the worth of life and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. Gilgamesh eventually learns this lesson, grows wiser and more modest, and returns to Uruk with a new understanding of life and the value of leaving a lasting effect.
Gilgamesh completed a dangerous journey that risked his own life in order to gain knowledge. Throughout his journey, many dangerous events took place that could have taken his life. In the end, he discovered that he could not find immortality, and he had to accept the idea of death. I would not make such a journey, even if it held the possibility of answering my most important questions. As a believer in Christ, I do not feel like it is necessary to risk my life on a journey in order to answer questions.
After Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh goes wandering in his quest for immortality. Upon meeting Utapinishti, Gilgamesh observes that Utapinishti seems no different from himself, and asks him how he obtained his immortality. Utapinishti, a mortal man who is now a god, explained to Gilgamesh that death is our certain destiny, even if we don’t know when it will happen. Utnapishtim goes on to say that Gilgamesh inherited his father’s mortality and, like everything else in the mortal world, he is subject to death. (Gilgamesh 93).
You have toiled without cease, and what have you got! Through toil you wear yourself out, you fill your body with grief, your long lifetime you are bringing near(to a premature end)!... No one can see death, no one can see the face of death, no one can hear the voice of death, yet there is a savage death that snaps off mankind.” (Tab.X, PG. 25) Utnapishtim attempts to speak knowledge into Gilgamesh about rebirth and how he cannot escape death.
The hero Gilgamesh, passed through various tests and turns out better for it. For at the beginning the epic the king appears in the form of an unbridled, corrupted and cruel young man, then after the death of Enkidu, he is finally capable of a heartfelt deep sorrow. For the first time he becomes aware of the futility of existence, feeling the fear of the death, the hero of the poem turns to the gods to find out the secrets of life and death. From now on, Gilgamesh cannot simply rule his people, he wants to know the secret of death. His soul comes to complete despair: how could the immortal power and energy in the body of Enkidu die?
I who know him, I am terrified.” (pg.80). This quote shows that Gilgamesh is getting in over his head and is fighting with no purpose. “Gilgamesh, you are strong, but what is the Country of living to you?” (pg. 72).
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
A Hero’s Quest for Immortality Gilgamesh, just like any other heroes, receives a vision from the gods pertaining to his fate, “The father of the gods has given you kingship, such is your destiny, everlasting life is not your destiny.” It makes no sense at first but as the story progress, we found out that Gilgamesh was never meant to live eternal life. The quest for immortality is a common theme in mythologies. Heroes undergo challenges against gods and supernatural creatures in order to get the desired item that would restore one’s youth.
Enkidu is not the only one trying to discourage this adventure. The elders and Ninsun also try to discourage the adventure. Gilgamesh is given many opportunities to make a different choice, but does not choose to. He continues on to make a name for himself. Even in the midst of the battle Gilgamesh is given the opportunity to spare the life of Humbaba.