Gilgamesh and the Quest for Immortality Essay - 1045 Words

Gilgamesh and the Quest for Immortality The stories of the hunt for immortality gathered in the Epic of Gilgamesh depict the conflict felt in ancient Sumer. As urbanization swept Mesopotamia, the social status shifted from a nomadic hunting society to that of a static agricultural gathering society. In the midst of this ancient renaissance, man found his relationship with the sacred uncertain and precarious. The Epic portrays the strife created between ontological nostalgia for a simpler time and the dawn of civilization breaking in the Near East. In this Epic, Gilgamesh is seen trying to achieve immortality through the methods of both the old and the new. His journeys through the sacred and the profane in many ways characterize†¦show more content†¦69). The next chapter finds Gilgamesh growing restless to establish his name stamped on bricks as his destiny decreed (pg. 70). He then decides to hunt the giant Humbaba, who is responsible for keeping the forest orderly. Gilgamesh and Humbaba are equally equipped with chaotic weapons supplied by the gods, but Gilgamesh also arms himself with the weapons of civilization (pg. 75). When the first cedar is felled creating chaos Gilgamesh falls with weakness and is overtaken by sleep (pg.76,79). It is at that point that the god Shamash deserts him creating profane space. It is only by the mention of his mother, the goddess Ninsun, and the city square that Gilgamesh regains consciousness of the sacred. Shortly thereafter, the battle between Gilgamesh and Humbaba ensues, and by the weapons of the gods Humbaba is beat into submission. Enkidu, who was committed to changing the old order (pg.68), petitions Gilgamesh not to leave Humbaba alive and together they use the weapons of civilization to ov erturn the old order. From the resulting chaos, Enlil curses the food stuffs of life and distributes the splendors of Humbaba back to the sacred, thus robbing Gilgamesh of his immortal glory (pg.83-84). It is then that a subtle shift occurs in the story. Gilgamesh, now that he has been condemned to profane space, is no longer the hunter but the hunted. Beginning when he is beckoned by the fickleShow MoreRelatedGilgamesh Essay Paper728 Words   |  3 PagesEnglish 3, 4 7 October 2012 The Quest for Immortality In the â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† translated by N.K. Sanders, Gilgamesh completes a series of many challenges and obstacles, fulfilling the conditions of an archetypal quest story. In order to fulfill an archetypal quest story, the hero or protagonist must complete a series of hurdles, on their way toward achieving their goal. In the â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh†, Gilgamesh hunts for his main obsession, immortality, while he battles off monsters, with theRead MoreRoles Of Gilegosh And The Power Of Women In Gilgamesh1440 Words   |  6 Pagesthat the power of women is very potent. 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