Human Nature In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Confronting Mortality and Reflecting on Human Nature

The Epic of Gilgamesh, from ancient Mesopotamia dates back to the Third Dynasty of Ur, which refers to the 22nd to 21st century BC. It is one of the oldest known works of literature, however the themes it explores are still just as relevant today as they were four thousand years ago. Gilgamesh highlights the stubbornness of human nature and the importance of finding meaning in the face of mortality. Throughout the myth, Gilgamesh, who has been called the King who has tried to conquer death, is faced with the fundamental aspects of the human condition, such as mortality, the inevitability of death, the search for meaning and purpose in life. Gilgamesh attempts to overcome

Described as two-thirds god and one-third human, he has divine intellect, strength, and bravery. However, his god-like strengths are rivaled by his human nature, as he is described as an arrogant, selfish, and tyrannical ruler. Gilgamesh is bitter that only the gods can live forever. Gilgamesh’s humanity is most clearly expressed through his relationship with his dear friend Enkidu, another central character throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh. Enkidu’s character serves as a foil to Gilgamesh, as he is uncivilized and wild-like, whereas Gilgamesh is a king surrounded by luxury. Enkidu draws Gilgamesh into adventure and greatly influences him as they develop a strong brotherly bond. Tzvi Abush states in a journal titled The Development and Meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh: An Interpretive Essay “His (Gilgamesh) wanderings are the mechanism and backdrop for change, but the death of Enkidu is the catalyst for change” (Abusch, p. 616). Abusch explains how Gilgamesh's journey of self-discovery, through his relationships with Enkidu, Utnapishtim, and the gods, reflects the human experiences of friendship, loss, and mortality. And it is through Enkidu’s death that Gilgamesh is confronted with how delicate life is, as his fear of death torments him. In an excerpt from The Epic of Gilgamesh, “Six days I wept for him and seven nights: I did not surrender his body for

Ninsun, his mother, warns him to be cautious and abandon the senseless quest, and urges Gilgamesh to focus on being a just ruler and leader of his kingdom. However, Gilgamesh persists on his quest and seeks out Utnapishtim, the only mortal who has achieved immortality, hoping to gain some wisdom from him. During the journey, Gilgamesh pushes his body to its limits, as he doesn’t sleep nor eat and almost faces death himself for not obeying the laws of his human body. Gilgamesh’s arrogant obsession with immortality leads him to disappointment and suffering as he is met with Siduri who tells him “Gilgamesh, where are you roaming? You will never find the eternal life that you seek. When the gods created mankind, they also created death, and they held back eternal life for themselves alone.” The alewife urges Gilgamesh to “enjoy your life, spend it in happiness, not despair. Savor your food, make each of your days a delight, bathe and anoint yourself.” ("Epic of Gilgamesh” Tablet X). Despite this, Gilgamesh remains persistent in his pursuit of immortality. Utnapishtim tells him that if he can only gain the gods' mercy by staying awake for seven days, they might grant him immortality. However, Gilgamesh fails in his attempt and falls into a deep slumber. In a journal written by Piotr Swiercz, titled “Gilgamesh, Political Power, and Human Nature”, Swiercz theories the