What Is The Turning Point In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The theme I chose from the Epic of Gilgamesh is immortality, and the corresponding passage is Tablet XI. Because Tablet XI represents a crucial turning point in Gilgamesh's desire for eternal life, the theme of immortality integrates with the overarching idea of the Epic of Gilgamesh that presents immortality as a desired but impractical ideal. Gilgamesh started on a quest to discover the key to eternal life following the demise of his close companion Enkidu. Gilgamesh traveled to meet the immortal Utnapishtim, who was granted immortality by the gods as a reward for surviving a great flood. According to Utnapishtim, immortality is a gift from god, not something that could be sought after or acquired. There were no mortals are capable of attaining immortality, and death is

Thus, I think this also implies that from the beginning, he was destined not to receive the fate of eternal life. The comment said by Utnapishtim frustrated Gilgamesh, yet Utnapishtim "granted" him a chance to gain immortality. He told Gilgamesh that there was a herb in the sea that could rejuvenate people, perhaps it could achieve his wish of immortality (XI. 285). However, if the implication from Utnapishtim disappointed Gilgamesh, then the snake would be the culprit who took the last hope of immortality away from him. While Gilgamesh was bathing in the pool after the journey of seeking the plant, the snake ate it, effectively taking away Gilgamesh's chance at immortality. It sheds its skin and appears as a new, youthful creature, thereby symbolizing the cycle of death and rebirth (XI. 310). The snake represents both the futility of endeavoring to avoid death and its inevitable conclusion, in this case, regardless of how strongly someone attempts to prevent death, it is impossible to stop the process of it being close to