The Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay

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An old literary work called The Epic of Gilgamesh narrates the tale of Gilgamesh, a legendary monarch who reigned over the city-state of Uruk in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) in 2700 BCE. The epic is notable for its examination of issues that are still important today, such as the search for meaning and the nature of mortality, and is often regarded as one of the first works of literature. The epic is divided into twelve tablets, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first tablet introduces Gilgamesh, a powerful and arrogant king who is feared and hated by his people. To curb his tyrannical behavior, the gods create Enkidu, a wild man who lives in the forest, and who becomes Gilgamesh's companion and friend. Gilgamesh and …show more content…

Second, he gains an understanding of the value of friendship as a result of being forced to face his grief over Enkidu's passing and realize how much his friend meant to him (54). Thirdly, he discovers the strength and unpredictability of the natural world as he encounters numerous difficulties and hindrances on his quest, including a journey through the Mashu mountain, a run-in with the scorpion-men manning the underworld's entrance, and a fight with Uta-napishti himself. It's possible that these lessons could make Gilgamesh a better king after his return to …show more content…

He may also have gained a greater respect for the natural world and its power, which could influence his decisions about how to manage and protect his kingdom's natural resources. However, it's worth noting that Gilgamesh's character is complex, and he is not always a model leader. So while his journey may have taught him valuable lessons, it's not guaranteed that he will apply them in a positive way to his role as king. On his quest to locate Uta-napishti, Gilgamesh discovers a number of crucial lessons. One of the most important lessons he picks up is the necessity of valuing life and the certainty of death. He understands that dying is inevitable and a part of life's natural cycle. He also learns the value of humility and how to be a better leader (88). During his journey, he is humbled by the challenges he faces and the wisdom of Uta-napishti, who teaches him that a good king is one who is just and fair to his people, and who puts their needs before his own desires. Gilgamesh also discovers that he should concentrate on leaving a positive legacy for future generations rather than trying to become immortal. This insight enables him to abandon his fixation with discovering eternal life and instead accept his position as a mortal monarch with a duty to lead his subjects and establish a fair and wealthy