The Epic of Gilgamesh
No one wants to die! In the epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the King of Uruk. Gilgamesh is a large, handsome, arrogant and cruel ruler. “A goddess made him, strong as a savage bull, none can withstand his arms. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all; and is the king, the shepherd of his people? His lust leaves no virgin to her mother, neither the warriors daughters nor the wife of the noble.(13)” In the story, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become friends and goes on a journey to kill Humbaba so that Gilgamesh can make a name for himself. After killing Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, two of the gods decided that either Gilgamesh or Enkidu must die. Enkidu, although innocent, was the chosen to meet death. After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh in deep pain of his adopted brother becomes fearful of death and goes on a quest for immortality. “The epic of Gilgamesh” compares with the “Holy Bible” about the immortals significance of the “plant” in the story and the “tree of life” in the bible.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh puts forth a long, dangerous journey to meet with Utnapishtim and his wife, who supposedly became immortal after surviving a flood, to discover the secret of how to obtain everlasting life. Utnapishtim and his wife are the only ones of mankind to be granted immortality by the Gods. “Because I am afraid of death I will go as best as I can to find Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the Gods (30).” On his journey, Gilgamesh comes across Urshanabi who happens to be the ferryman of Utnapishtim. Urshanabi noticing Gilgameshs, “face burned with heat and with cold,” instructs Gilgamesh to cut one hundred and twenty poles so that they could cross the waters of death (33). When Gilgamesh reaches Utnapishtim he explains about the long journey he took to get there and his reason for visiting. “O, father Utnapishtim, you who have entered the assembly of the gods, I wish to question you concerning the living and the dead, how shall I find the life for which I am searching (35).” Utnapishtim replies with, “There is no permanence (35).” Utnapishtim gives Gilgamesh the opportunity to become immortality by telling him to stay awake for six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh immediately falls asleep, drained from his journey and fails the test. Gilgamesh awoken on the seventh day when he realizes he is unsuccessful at accomplishing his goal. Thankful, Utnapishtims wife convinces him to have mercy on Gilgamesh for his hard journey. Utnapishtim says, “Gilgamesh, I shall reveal a secret thing, it is a mystery of the gods that I am telling you. There is a plant that grows under the water, it has a prickle like a thorn, like a rose; it will wound your hands, but if you succeed in taking it, then your hands will hold that which restores his lost youth to a man(39).” Gilgamesh