A Mortal's Sense of Immortality
To fear death is to fear life itself. An overbearing concern for the end of life not only leads to much apprehension of the final moment but also allows that fear to occupy one’s whole life. The only answer that can possibly provide relief in the shadow of the awaited final absolution lies in another kind of absolution, one that brings a person to terms with their irrevocable mortality and squelches any futile desire for immortality. Myths are often the vehicles of this release, helping humanity to accept and handle their mortal and limited state. Different cultures have developed varying myths to coincide with their religious beliefs and give reprieve to their members in the face of irrevocable death. The same is true for the stories in the Book of Genesis and the Mesopotamians’ Epic of Gilgamesh. In these two myths similar paths are taken to this absolution are taken by the characters of Adam and Gilgamesh, respectively. These paths, often linked by their contradictions, end with the same conclusion for each man on the subject of immortality; that no amount of knowledge or innocence, power or humility, honoring or sinning, will achieve them immortality in the sense of a life without death.
. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Adam Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh Adam, Lord God, Apsu Gilgamesh, Sense Immortality, God Gilgameshs, Enkidu Humbaba, Garden Eden, Gilgamesh Anu, Enkidu Deep, adam gilgamesh, sense immortality, attained immortality, immortality adam, death gilgamesh, book genesis, gods punishment, personal relationships, fruit tree, adam wife,
Approximate Word count = 1844
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
 |
