Remember that The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest work of heroic literature on the planet, dating back to Ancient Mesopotamia. Cultures that far removed from our own time would have been deeply alien in their customs and understanding of the world around them compared to the way of life we know today. Therefore, with a question like this one, I'd suggest you ask yourself which elements and themes within the poem still ring true in the present, even in a post-industrial, digital society rather than the ancient, agrarian world from which Gilgamesh arose. It is in those places that you will find the universal.

In any case, I think this poem speaks deeply to the human condition. When reading it, I suggest you look carefully into the characterizations of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and their relationship with one another. There is a very strong theme of friendship, one which ties much of the narrative together and is critical in shaping Gilgamesh's own journey as a hero.

Furthermore The Epic of Gilgamesh is a poem about mortality and death, with Gilgamesh's most important quest being his search for the secret of immortality. I would suggest you think about what motivates Gilgamesh to embark on this greatest adventure, while also considering how it ends. What does all this suggest about the human condition where the subject of mortality is concerned?