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   hi1954 Teacher
   

   eNotes Editor

   Gilgamesh learns in the end that death is the fate of all humans, this life is transitory and what passes for immortality is what one leaves behind.  The epic begins with the author inviting us to look at the great city founded by Gilgamesh, and then proceeds through the tale of the king, his friend Enkidu and their adventures.  In the aftermath of Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh experiences fear and depression and seeks immortality.  After failing at that quest, on his return to his city he tells his companion to look at the great city he has built, repeating the opening scene of the text.

   Whether Gilgamesh found peace in this point of view or whether he still feared death the story doesn't tell us.  But the Gilgamesh we see at the end is not the bold, overconfident young man from the beginning of the story.

   Sources:

   http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/

   http://www.enotes.com/gilgamesh-mans-qn/

   http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/GILG.HTM

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   Posted by hi1954 on Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 1:56 AM