ipl-logo

Examples Of Gilgamesh's Quest

2030 Words9 Pages

“Gilgamesh – An Imperfect Quest to Become a Revered Hero” In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, undertakes a quest to become the ultimate hero, a perpetual legend to his people and superior to the gods. Gilgamesh initially defines superiority by physical feats and conquests. When he finds that the gods can undermine his personal power by causing him tragedy and elucidating his eventual death, Gilgamesh, out of fear, shifts his quest to the achievement of immortality. He fails in his effort to achieve eternal life as well. Gilgamesh does not accomplish his quest to become a hero by his initial definition, physical prowess, and physical immortality. Instead, through great suffering, grief, and disappointment, Gilgamesh recognizes …show more content…

Surprisingly, Gilgamesh is scared, and almost reluctant to fight when he first sees Humbaba. Humbaba “nodded his head and shook it, menacing Gilgamesh; and on him he fastened his eye, the eye of death. Then Gilgamesh called to Shamash and his tears were flowing” (20). Gilgamesh needs help to defeat Humbaba, but his arrogance keeps him from becoming self-aware of his weakness. Gilgamesh and Enkidu ruthlessly triumph over Humbaba and in their celebration. They viciously murder Humbaba even after he pleads for mercy. To add to their treachery, they mock the gods by laying Humbaba’s head before Enlil, the god who created Humbaba. Here is another sign that physical feats, especially the savagery of the deed, will not define Gilgamesh as a hero. In fact, he appears more as a murderer than a great leader. The two are scolded by Enlil, who is mortified that Humbaba has been killed and in the manner that it happened. “Enlil raged at them. Why did you do this thing? From henceforth may the fire be on your faces” (22). Regardless, the two continue to celebrate, immaturely throwing their braggadocio in the gods’ faces. “O Gilgamesh, king and conqueror of the dreadful blaze… glory to him and from the brave the greater glory is Enki’s” (22)! Gilgamesh’s behavior is not one of a

Show More
Related

  • Enkidu And Gilgamesh Relationship Essay

    632 Words  | 3 Pages

    I will argue that this passage seeks to reflect Gilgamesh’s change, especially in terms of his relationships. Initially, the passage reveals Gilgamesh’s sense of superiority when compared to Enkidu. However, as the passage continues, readers begin to sense Gilgamesh’s support and encouragement of his new friend. This shift in his relationship is an example of a broader theme in this narrative: interaction between characters are the driving force of the plot.

    Read More

  • Was Gilgamesh A Hero

    299 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh was a story about a man that was a hero and wanted his youth back from a certain plant that gives, youth back. The ancient Gilgamesh was once thought as a hero in some cases he was. Now people looking at Gilgamesh and seeing if he was truly a hero or some random person posing as a hero or higher power. In this paper I will be talking about who Gilgamesh was as a hero, what he did as a hero, and when he thought he was a hero. Gilgamesh was a king a great king to be thought and he was righteous ruler.

    Read More

  • Essay On Gilgamesh And Death

    1651 Words  | 7 Pages

    The sudden shifts in his character he experienced on the topic of death effected the thinking of the Ancient Mesopotamians also. With all of Gilgamesh’s efforts, he found there was no easy way to reach immortality. This story was one of the main influences toward the Mesopotamians beliefs that death is inevitable. Using the evidence from the source “Epic of Gilgamesh”, this essay will attempt to solve the problem of death that the Ancient Mesopotamians endured through the character development of

    Read More

  • The Rise And Fall Of Hubris In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1563 Words  | 7 Pages

    The Rise and Fall of Hubris In essence, many of Mesopotamia’s tales focus on Gilgamesh’s epic. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a poem that portrays Gilgamesh’s journey, and ultimate aspiration for immortality despite the inevitability of death. The poem reveals his quest for a purpose and identity, which in turn can be perceived from many different aspects, ultimately molding his character in the epic. He perceives himself as two-thirds divine and one third man at the start of the tale, and progressively gains wisdom on his quest to conquer his aspirations of immortality, until he comes face to face with reality. His state of mind at the beginning of the epic, along with how it changes and matures, reveals the true heroes and villains of the story.

    Read More

  • How Did Gilgamesh Change Throughout The Iliad

    692 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and the Bhagavad Gita are three of the most enduring ancient texts in the canon of global literature. All are heroic tales focusing on a strong male warrior protagonist, who endures a series of tests in order to achieve their goals and retain their status as leaders of their community. However, unlike Achilles, the hero of Homer’s Iliad, or Arjuna, hero of the Bhagavad Gita, Gilgamesh was an actual historical figure, evidence by the archaeological record as well as literary correspondences (Hansman). The historicity of its hero is not necessarily the reason to favor one of these epics over the other, but The Epic of Gilgamesh has the edge over its epic counterparts in other ways. For example, Gilgamesh’s character undergoes deep and meaningful transformations in ways that neither Achilles nor Arjuna experience.

    Read More

  • The Virtue In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    496 Words  | 2 Pages

    When Gilgamesh decides that he wants to fight Humbaba, he refuses to listen to Enkidu’s worries and protests, “You [Enkidu] speak unworthily…I must set my hand to cutting a cedar tree,/I must establish eternal flame” (Putchner et al 111). This displays Gilgamesh’s impatience because he will not listen when his friend wants him to slow down and think about his choices. He refuses to stop when people ask him to nor will he think about anything else than what he wants to do. Gilgamesh’s impatience when asked to think about what he is doing showcases that he is not a virtuous

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh As A Hero Essay

    1290 Words  | 6 Pages

    Gilgamesh abilities in a physical aspect are something that cannot be matches by any other person roaming the earth. In addition to this, Gilgamesh physical appearance is imposing, “his build was perfected by diving Nudimmud … six cubits was his stride … by earthly standards he was the most handsome” (George, 3) and that when he walks, the people of city portrayed him as a wild bull. Gilgamesh is like no other specimen, his physical characteristics and knowledge that he possesses is unlike no other than that of a hero. Along with this, the courageous acts that he portrays helps further drive the point that Gilgamesh is in fact, a

    Read More

  • Beowulf: The Traits Of An Epic Hero

    664 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through the anonymous mouth, we know that Gilgamesh is one-third man and two-third god. This is central key to all of his adventures and accomplishments (Wolff, 2009). In other words, this makes him a supernatural hero. Later in his life, Gilgamesh is able to kill the Bull of Heaven that send against him by Ishtar (lovemaking goddess). After the death of friend (Enkidu), Gilgamesh set out in his quest for immortal life.

    Read More

  • The Epic Of Gilgamesh Uses God And Two-Third Man

    271 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic Of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh is Two-Thirds god and One-Third Man. Gilgamesh is also the ruler of Uruk. He was a bad king since he Took advantage of his subjects so they prayed to Anu “his arrogance has no bounds…” and “His lust leaves no virgin to her lover…”. So Anu sent down Enkidu (Gilgamesh's best friend) to balance out Gilgamesh. After Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the bull of heaven the gods kill Enkidu with a sickness making Gilgamesh set out on his quest for eternal life.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Achilles

    961 Words  | 4 Pages

    Over the course of the epic, Gilgamesh thanked his closest friend and partner Enkidu and to his quest for

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh: An Epic Hero

    394 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh is a powerful yet emotional king. Gilgamesh shows his weak side by saying “I have wept for him day and night…” After this he remains an epic hero in my opinion. The text states he went on a great dangerous journey and survived and killed the guard of The Cedar

    Read More

  • Who Is Gilgamesh A Hero

    144 Words  | 1 Pages

    Because he is of the gods and valiant, Gilgamesh is greatly glorified as a true hero. In the beginning of The Epic of Gilgamesh, the narrator states, “ Gilgamesh, who is two-thirds god, and one-thirds man, is handsome, courageous and powerful (Sandars 139). Gilgamesh is immediately characterized as a great and powerful figure. He was known in Uruk for his heroism and pride, and had abilities and powers beyond imaginable. When the people became tired of Gilgamesh, the gods sent him a match.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh: Relevant Truth For Today's Society

    1067 Words  | 5 Pages

    The early Gilgamesh was full of hubris as much as he is full greatness. But towards the end of the poem

    Read More

  • The Modern Definition Of Gilgamesh As A Hero

    202 Words  | 1 Pages

    Heroes are people who conquer all evil, do the impossible, and help everyone but oneself. Throughout time what one considered a hero has changed, the modern definition of a hero is a typically a man, who is admired as a result of his/her courage, achievements, or braveness. However, back when The Epic of Gilgamesh was written, a hero was someone godlike with courage, and ability to do selfless acts. Based on this definition, it is clear that Gilgamesh strives to be a hero. Not only does he conquer evil and battle monsters, he also does the impossible and obtains new knowledge of death.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh Qualities

    416 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh, a character in The Epic of Gilgamesh, is king of the city Uruk. Gilgamesh is the son of the priest of Uruk, who goes unnamed. Ninsun, a goddess known for her wisdom, is the mother of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh’s mother may be a powerful goddess, however, Gilgamesh is not.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Gilgamesh's Quest

Open Document