Free Epic of Gilgamesh Essays: Themes of Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

Themes of the Epic of Gilgamesh Many themes are incorporated into the story line of Gilgamesh. These include three very important concepts death is inevitable, immortality is unachievable, and friendship is a necessity. One of the main themes in the epic is that death is inevitable, which is shown through Enkidus death. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh becomes very worried, because he realizes for the first time that everyone is going to die at some steer in time. The fact that Enkidu is a close friend makes it even more visible to Gilgamesh that everyone is mortal. Then, along with this realization, comes the theme of denial. Gilgamesh does not want to accept the fact that he will die. He denies the truth, because he does not want to think about the truth or cope with the tragedy that has struck him. And he-he does not lift his head. I moved(p) his heart, it does not beat (Tablet VIII, Column II, 15-16). Me Will I too not die like Enkidu? Sorrow was come into my belly. I fear deat h I puke over the hills. I will seize the road quickly I will go to the house of Utnapishtim, offspring of Ubaratutu. I approach the entrance of the push-down storage at night. Lions I see, and I am terrified. I lift my head to pray to the mood god Sin For...a dream I go to the gods in prayer ...preserve me (Tablet IX, Column I, 3-12). The theme of death being inevitable leads to another theme, similar to the first. This is that immortality is unachievable, shown through similar examples as the first theme. Gilgamesh realizes that immortality is not obtainable by and by his quest for it. He discovers that the quest was pointless, because he will die regardless of the steps to prevent his death in the future. Never has a mortal man do that, Gilgamesh (Tablet IX, Column III, 8). The fate of mankind overtook him... In fear of death I roam the wilderness...Me, shall I not lie down like him, never once again to move? (Tablet X, Column II, 3, 8, 13-14). From the beginning, there is no permanence (Tablet X, Column VI, 32).