Love and Death in The Epic of Gilgamesh Essay -- Epic Gilgamesh

Love and Death in The Epic of Gilgamesh Abstract The close to interesting stories invariably be about love and death. These two themes underlie the Epic of Gilgamesh, a mythic tale of the quest for immortality. Gilgamesh, profoundly affected by the death of his friend Enkidu at the hands of the gods, questions the injustice of life. Finding no answer, he of course tries to changeindeed, eliminatethe question by seeking immortality. The adjacent essay examines Gilgamesh and Enkidus relationship, and the effect of Enkidus death on Gilgamesh. Gilgameshs failure in the end attests the intertwining of love and death in a relationship. dendroid Allen once stated, Its not that Im afraid to die. I just dont want to be there when it happens. Even the close to stout-hearted soul would admit the truth of that statement. Deathlike lifeis a mystery. It is also a test. Acting as an immutable deadline, death forces us to give its inevitable reality. But not every whiz deals with it in the sa me way. Those who lack the strength to cope are consigned to a life of unconquerable fear and insecurity and are the stuff of tragedy. Others, however, do succeed in attaining a measure of immortality, though the journey is long and difficult. These are the culture-makers of society its painters, composers, and poets. Their common link is the warrior spirit, the part of them that struggles, succeeds...and struggles well-nigh more. The Epic of Gilgamesh reflects this spirit of the warrior. Although Enkidus death indicates that mortals seemingly are at the mercy of the gods and death is inevitable, Gilgamesh nonetheless embarks on a quest for godhood Enkidu has to die so Gilgamesh can live. Gilgamesh and Enkidus friendship prefigures G... ...venture onto the stone walls of Uruk. The irony is that the story is about his failure rather than success. His quest started when he realized he had not established his hit stamped on bricks as...destiny decreed (70). He presumably thoug ht his story would be one success after another, victories of strength and fury. How ironic that his tale is of the failure to adjust immortality, a quest prompted by Enkidus death. But as irony takes another twist, his failure is also a success. Gilgamesh learns, one presumes, that although death inevitably comes, one must attempt to foil its icy grasp. That is why Enkidu must die for Gilgamesh to live his death launches Gilgamesh toward a hopeless task, one that results in a blue-chip lesson set in stone for all to see. And the stone still stands. ReferenceThe Epic of Gilgamesh. London Penguin Books, 1972.