Reflection Of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh, a story that emerged from ancient Mesopotamia, is considered one of the world’s first great works of literature and presents the audience with an entertaining yet philosophical read. Four thousand years ago in modern day Iraq, ancient Sumerian and Babylonians wrote this epic in cuneiform on clay tablets. The epic demonstrates not only the history of Gilgamesh, but the moral lesson of what it means to be human and the way grief and hubris take their toll. Although this epic has undergone numerous translations, the tone has remained enlightening, yet serious and somber. Through the character development of Gilgamesh, the narrator demonstrates that humility and grief are two driving forces in his journey towards becoming human.
Of course, Gilgamesh has always been human in regards to his genetic makeup, but he lacks the ability to understand and experience emotion in the way that others could because of his excessive pride. In his city of Uruk, Gilgamesh exet:
As a king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people... Sometimes he pushed people half to death/ With work rebuilding Uruk’s walls,/ And then without an explanation let/ The walls go unattended and decay,/ ...And left his people dreaming of the past/... They knew his world was old/ And cluttered with spoiled arts (Mason 15-16).
Although he has

Although many ancient texts have emerged from this region, The Epic of Gilgamesh contains themes that continue to resonate with audiences today. These lessons such as the impact of grief and learning humility carry an eternal importance that are taught from generation to generation. Although our society does not experience the same problems as Gilgamesh, the subject of death is one that touches everyone at some point in their life journey. Because of its strong human connotations, the epic will continue to teach the importance of humility and the power of