Gilgamesh, The epic of
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh has to travel many journeys and face many hardships. As the story progresses, it is found that the major goal of his life is to obtain immortality. Gilgamesh was created two-thirds God and one-third man, with a perfect body and great courage. After facing his hardships and returning to the city of Uruk, he placed his story upon tablets for all to know. Gilgamesh, who is the King of the city of Uruk, was wise to the fact that the Gods created man and that mankind would eventually expire. Gilgamesh is quoted in saying "only the Gods live forever with the glorious Shamash, but as for men, our days are numbered, our occupations are a breath of wind."(p.71) In this time period, kings were noted as Gilgamesh was the ultimate man. There was none could match his strength or courage until Endiku was created. Endiku, who was the brother of Gilgamesh, was raised in the wild and came upon Gilgamesh in Uruk. They became great friends and cared for each other deeply. This also notes the man part of Gilgamesh, as Gods usually carry no feeling. Gilgamesh and Enkidu conquered many battles together. Gilgamesh makes great reference to these conquests when he says "My friend
The people in this time also held great respect for their Kings. The Kings were a godsend that protected the people and the environment in which they lived. The King was there to fight for the land and protect its subjects. People held the highest respect for the King, which in introduced when Gilgamesh's life has come to an end. "The people of the city, great and small, are not silent; they lift up the lament, all men of flesh and blood lift up the lament. Fate has spoken..."(p. 119) This shows that the King was a "god-like" human, but not a God as they knew Gods to be. Gilgamesh was respected by all in Uruk and was held highly in memory. "In those days the lord Gilgamesh departed, the son of Ninsun, the King, peerless, without an equal among men, who did not neglect Enlil his master. O Gilgamesh, lord of Kullab, great is thy praise."(p. 119) , my younger brother who seized and killed the Bull of Heaven, and overthrew Humbaba in the cedar forest, my friend who was very dear to me, and who endured dangers beside me".(p.101) After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh begins to fear his fate of dying and journeys to find everlasting life. As Gilgamesh will soon find out, man cannot have everlasting life. The Gods decided to create mankind, but mankind allowed the cl
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 862
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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