Verified Document

Epic Of Gilgamesh: A Timeless Tale "The Essay

Epic of Gilgamesh: A Timeless Tale "The Epic of Gilgamesh" is fascinating and worthwhile because it allows us to see how ancient civilizations lived. We often think of the earliest societies in a detached way, never stopping to think of how they thought about certain things or why they did what they did. Gilgamesh's story revolves around gods, goddesses, and worldly leaders but it also shares with humanity the notion of friendship, loss, and love. We like to think we are more advanced than civilizations from thousands of centuries ago but the truth remains that we are more like them than we like to admit. From how we think to haw we feel, we are linked to all humanity, ancient or not.

Friendship is a popular theme in the story. Enkidu and Gilgamesh are the best of friends and it is Enkidu that changes Gilgamesh from being...

The two share the ability to be honest with one another. Enkidu must tell Gilgamesh his dreams for everlasting life will never come true. Gilgamesh would never have listened to these words from anyone but a true friend. Friends are painfully honest with each other but they can also be supportive. When Enkidu becomes weary of fighting, Gilgamesh tells him, "I will go first." (Gilgamesh 18). He is willing to go first to give his friend strength. We also know that Gilgamesh, though he might have been Part god, still grieves like the rest of humanity. Enkidu's death breaks Gilgamesh's heart and as he grieves for him, he places his hand on his chest one last time. He lays a veil "as one veils a bride" (31) over his body and "rages like a lion" (31). This scene is important because it demonstrates the power…

Sources used in this document:
Work Cited

"The Epic of Gligamesh." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded ed. New

York W.W. Norton and Company. 1997. Print.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Epic of Gilgamesh Is an
Words: 1351 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Ishtar is enraged and the gods then send the Bull of Heaven as a punishment. Together, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the bull. The gods view this as an insult and decide to punish the two men. They make Enkidu ill and he soon dies. The death of Enkidu has an enormous impact on Gilgamesh. He suffers endless sadness. He mourns and grows afraid of dying himself. A man who was

Beowulf As a Hero Lesson
Words: 2900 Length: 10 Document Type: Journal

Those with issues to overcome are always more heroic. Hector also becomes a hero when, after at first running from Achilles, he eventually stands up to him and dies a heroic death. The Iliad is primarily a war epic. In your opinion, is the Iliad condemnation of the it could easily be argued that the Illiad glorifies war, as much of the poem is spent portraying the warriors as brave

Beowulf As a Hero Lesson
Words: 8817 Length: 19 Document Type: Journal

Your answer should be at least five sentences long. The Legend of Arthur Lesson 1 Journal Entry # 9 of 16 Journal Exercise 1.7A: Honor and Loyalty 1. Consider how Arthur's actions and personality agree with or challenge your definition of honor. Write a few sentences comparing your definition (from Journal 1.6A) with Arthur's actions and personality. 2. Write a brief paragraph explaining the importance or unimportance of loyalty in being honorable. Lesson 1 Journal

Hero The Definition of "Hero"
Words: 2709 Length: 10 Document Type: Journal

Madam Eglantyne the Nun, is also an ironic charater. She eats in a very refined manner and attempts other fine characteristics such as speaking French, although she fares poorly at this. Ironically, not all her language is pure, as she swears cosntantly by "St. Loy," a saint renowned for not swearing. Unlike the general conception of the Nun, she is very concerned with outward appearances and did not much care

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now