THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

A. HOW WELL DOES THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH FIT IN THE DEFINITIONS OF

The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving known literature works in the world,
composed over four thousand years ago in the ancient Mesopotamia. It tells a story of Gilgamesh
a powerful king who seeks immortality and ultimately learns the importance of wisdom and the
inevitability of death. The poem is considered to be the foundational work of epic poetry and
contains many elements. It is therefore the aim of this essay to discuss how well the epic of
Gilgamesh fits in the definitions of epic as defined by Wikipedia and Merriam-Webster’s
dictionary.

According to Wikipedia an epic is a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary
deeds of extraordinary characters who in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces gave
shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. In the epic of Gilgamesh the story is about a
legendary hero Gilgamesh who dates back to the ancient Mesopotamia. His story is full of
supernatural beings and events such as the gods and demons and it features a grand scope
covering topics along the lines of mortality, friendship, love, the meaning of life and the nature
of power. The poem is also written in an elevated style and contains certain characteristics
common to epics such as a larger-than-life hero, a series of challenges and obstacles and a focus
on the moral and ethical implications of the story. It is therefore safe to say that the epic of
Gilgamesh is a classic example of an epic and fits well within the definition of an epic as
presented on Wikipedia.

On the other hand Merriam Webster dictionary defines an epic as a long narrative poem in
elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero. This definition fits with the
epic of Gilgamesh in several ways. Firstly, the epic of Gilgamesh is a long narrative poem
consisting of twelve tablets with a total of over three thousand lines of text. The poem is also
written in elevated style using formal language and vivid descriptions to convey the grandeur and
importance of the story being told. In addition the epic of Gilgamesh recounts the deeds of a
legendary hero namely Gilgamesh who is the king of Uruk. The story follows his quest for
immortality and his adventures, battles with monsters, exploits and his journey to the
underworld. Lastly the epic of Gilgamesh is set in a historical context as it reflect culture, beliefs

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and values of ancient Mesopotamia. The story features gods and goddesses as well as historical
events like the construction of the walls of Uruk.

In conclusion the epic of Gilgamesh fits the definitions of an epic as presented by Merriam
Webster dictionary and Wikipedia in terms of length, complexity, grandeur and style. This has
been seen in the paragraphs above that aimed at discussing how the epic of Gilgamesh fits in the
definitions of an epic.

B. WHAT ASPECTS OF THE EPIC ARE RELEVANT FOR THE PEOPLE TODAY?

Despite being over three thousand years old the epic of Gilgamesh still offers timeless themes
and messages that resonate with the people in the present world. It is therefore within the scope
of this paper to discuss some of the aspects of the epic of Gilgamesh that are relevant for people
today.

The search for meaning and purpose is the first aspect to be discussed. As portrayed in the epic,
Gilgamesh who is the protagonist of the poem goes on a quest for immortality after the death of
his beloved friend Enkidu. This quest can also be seen today as the humans desire for meaning
and purpose in life by searching for ways to transcend the limitations of mortality. For instance
although the world often feels chaotic and meaningless people still yearn for a sense of purpose
and direction that continues to shape human experience1.

Secondly the importance of friendship is another aspect of the epic that is relevant up to date.
The friendship of Enkidu and Gilgamesh is a central part of the epic and their bond is portrayed
as being powerful. It is therefore because of their strong bond that they were able to overcome
challenges and find meaning in their lives. This can also be seen today as people continue to seek
strong and meaningful relationships in their lives. For example, although the social media and
technology nowadays connect people, many still struggle to find meaningful connections with
others. People are constantly reminded about the importance of true powerful friendships by the
bond Gilgamesh and Enkidu had that they realise that most relationships they built are
purposeless (kriwaczek2010).

1
https://www.britishmuseum.org

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The epic of Gilgamesh has also taught the present world the dangers of arrogance and pride.
Gilgamesh is initially portrayed as a powerful and arrogant king who believes he is invincible.
For instance he killed Imbaba who had no harm to him nor his village just to get fame. However
his journey proves him otherwise as it taught him humility and the importance of recognising his
own limitations. It is because of his arrogance and disregard for the gods that led to his downfall.
This lesson is relevant today as people continue to struggle with the dangers of pride, ego and
arrogance. For instance a world that promotes personal success above all else is prone to fall and
be unsuccessful. The epic is a reminder that true wisdom comes not from self-aggrandizement
but from humility and self-awareness (foster2001).

In addition the epic taught the world today the impact of grief and loss. The death of Enkidu led
Gilgamesh to question the purpose of life and seek ways to transcend mortality. This is still
relevant today as people still continue to grapple with the pain and loss that comes with death
and search for ways to cope and find meaning in the face of loss. In this present world loss and
death is too common and the epic offers a reminder that there is life after loss we just have to
search for our purpose in the face of mortality (George2003).

Lastly the epic of Gilgamesh has a historical, mythological and literary value to the present day
world. The epic is considered to be one of the earliest known works of literature that provides the
world with insight into the ancient Mesopotamian culture, beliefs and values. For instance it
reveals the importance of kingship and the role of the gods in supporting or challenging the
king’s rule. The epic has a mass collection of mythological tales that have influenced storytelling
traditions in the Middle East and beyond. Its themes and motifs along the lines of the hero’s
journey, the roles of the gods in human affairs and search for immortality have inspired countless
works of literature, art and film. For instance the films like the lord of the rings by Tolkien’s and
marvel comics are influenced by the stories in the epic of Gilgamesh. It is also vital to note that
the epic as a masterpiece of ancient literature with poetic language and vivid imagery continues
to captivate readers in the present world (kovacs1989).

To sum up everything that has been said so far the epic of Gilgamesh is a fascinating and
significant work of literature that has stood the test of time. Its historical, mythological, literary
and psychological relevance can be seen in many areas in the present day world. Its universal

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themes and messages continue to resonate with people today making it a timeless masterpiece
that has enriched human beings with culture for thousand years.

REFERENCES

http://www.misterdann.com/mythasgigameshstudy.htm
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.britishmuseum.org/learn/schools/ages-7-11/ancient-
civilasations/mesopotamia/epic-gilgamesh

Foster, B. (2001). The epic of Gilgamesh: a new translation. ww Norton and company press.

George, A. (2003). The Babylonian Gilgamesh epic: introduction, critical edition and cuneiform
texts. oxford university press.

King, K. C. (2009). Ancient epic. A John Wiley & sons Ltd publication.

Kovacs, M. (1989). The epic of Gilgamesh . Stanford university press.

Kriwaczek, P. (2010). Babylon: Mesopotamia and the birth of civilisation . macmillan press.

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