Gilgamesh Essay, Research Paper

The search for Everlasting Life

Gilgamesh wept over the death of his friend Enkidu. He thought that he was also going

to die like his brother. So he went to see Utnapishtim who has everlasting life. So he went

out looking for it and came to a great mountain named Mashu. At the front of the moutain

stood two men-scorpion. they saw courage and strength in Gilgamesh and let him through

the moutains. They told him that in the valley of the moutain was completely dark, and

that lasts for twelve leagues. Gilgamesh then proceeded and at the end of the eleven

leagues the light began to shine through. He then entered the garden of the gods. There he

met Siduri and she told him that he needs to go to Urshanabi the ferryman. Urshanabi then

took him to Utnapishtim. Gilgamesh then asked Utnapishtim about life and death. He told

Gilgamesh about how he got everlasting life.

The return

Utnapishtim gave Gilgamesh a test, and it was to not sleep for six days and seven

nights. Then Gilgamesh fell asleep then Utnapshtim?s wife baked a loaf of bread for every

day that Gilgamesh was asleep. When Gilgamesh woke he found that he slept for seven

days. Utnapishtim told Ursanabi to take Gilgamesh to the water and clean his body and

hair and give him new clothes that would look new for his return to Uruk. Urshanabi took

Gilgamesh home, but before they left Utnapishtim told Gilgamesh that there is a plant in

the sea that will give your youth back. So Gilgamesh went under the sea and got it. On the

way back they stopped for rest, and Gilgamesh went for a bath and a serpent took the

plant. They then returned to Uruk and wrote a story of the trip on a rock.

The Death of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh returned home safely and died. It was his destiny was to be a great king. His

destiny was not to achieve everlasting life.