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The Christian Critical Tradition In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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When reading The Epic of Gilgamesh we can find different examples of the six criteria for evaluating works of art. Therefore we are able to hone in on a few that really prevail throughout the story that persuades the reader to think critically about what exactly the author wants the reader to understand. Three main themes of the Christian critical tradition in The Epic of Gilgamesh are truth, righteousness, and beauty.
When looking at the epic of Gilgamesh and accessing the literature for truth we see that an ultimate truth is death. Gilgamesh is somewhat bitter with the fact that only gods are able to live forever. When he thinks about death he is very uncomfortable because he feels that he is a mighty warrior of a man and the only thing that will ultimately end him is death. We also see how the death of his beloved friend Enkidu drives him to the edge of the earth in attempt to prolong or completely liberate himself from the same fate. This is a valuable lesson for mankind throughout history. No matter what you may feel or become in the …show more content…

One way that it fits into the book is how the journey that Gilgamesh takes and how it contributes to his wisdom and longevity. Many of the characters take journeys to different places that help them discover new things about themselves. The beauty of the journey in this book is when Gilgamesh sets out to look for the plant that will allow him to retain his youth. Gilgamesh insist on staying young and avoiding death but fails to do so every time. The reader is faced with seeing the beauty in the persistence and the will to live forever. These actions by Gilgamesh show the reader how important it is for mankind to enjoy the time that they have on earth and make the most of every situation. Death is unavoidable, but with the right actions, the right Christian walk, as well as spreading truth and righteousness any death can be a beautiful

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