Gilgamesh the Search for Immortality

Gilgamesh

The search for immortality and the desire to escape the reality of death has always been a perennial theme in literature and in all human endeavors. This ancient text is an epic poem or work of literature that explores this essential question and confronts the human and existential inevitability of death.

What the Sumerian text shows and what this paper will discuss through an analysis of the character of Gilgamesh, is firstly that the quest for immortality is related to the search for meaning of life and existence and that this meaning is found in the acceptance of the human condition.

There is a certain irony in the contradictions in the character of Gilgamesh. He is described as almost godlike and the most powerful man on earth. At the same time he has many human faults and the epic poem leads to a conclusion where the powerful king has to accept the fate that is common to all human beings - namely death.

Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, is described as remarkable figure that created amazing ziggurats and temples and is both physically strong and attractive. Yet he also has flaws. His rule is despotic and he shows little respect for others - especially women, whom he abuses at will. His subjects are in fact oppressed by this king. In order to remedy this abuse the gods send a wild man, Enkidu, who is as powerful as Gilgamesh to challenge him. After fighting they become friends and embark on a number of adventures. But when Enkidu is killed for transgression against the gods, Gilgamesh is devastated and his quest for immortality begins.

It is the death of his close friend that makes Gilgamesh aware of his own mortality and the realization that he too must face death even though he is a powerful king. He rebels against this destiny and seeks a solution to this primary human predicament. This quest for immortality leads Gilgamesh to seek Utnapishtim, the Mesopotamian Noah who has been given the gift of immortality after the great flood. Similar to many other initiation myths, Gilgamesh has to overcome obstacles such as the scorpion monsters that bar his way.

The intense desire that Gilgamesh has to find the answer to eternal life is shown in the poem by the fact that he rejects the advice of Siduri to accept the limitations of the human condition. He also has to travel over the Waters of Death. When he meets Utnapishtim he is told the story of the flood and the decision of the gods to destroy mankind, and how Utnapishtim obtained everlasting life.

Utnapishtim makes Gilgamesh undergo certain tests in order to obtain the gift of immortality. However Gilgamesh fails the test to stay awake for a week. As he is departing, Utnapishtim's wife persuades her husband to tell Gilgamesh about a certain plant that restores youth. Gilgamesh takes the plant with him to share with others in Uruk. However this also fails and a snake steals the plant.

Gilglaesh therefore returns to Uruk without an answer to the inevitability of death. However he has learnt to accept his human nature and the limitations of the human condition. He has also become aware that although he as an individual will not be able to live forever, yet humanity and human society does continue through the generations. In this way he has learnt to accept his mortality.