eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. According to Gilgamesh, the human condition is defined by our flaws. He was happy to eat grass and share the animal 's water hole. He acted as he did. Let me harness you chariot of lapis and gold, its wheel shall be gold and its horns shall be amber. His actions showed him to be arrogant, conceited, vain, and egotistical, and other gods were disgusted by his behavior. After meeting Enkidu he seems less arrogant to the people of Uruk and becomes their hero. How do we know he's immature? Unlike Gilgamesh, Enkidu was the ideal leader. We think Gilgamesh here is like the leather-jacket-wearing "bad boy" who races his motorcycle in the rain after he's been drinking whiskey all night: he may say he isn't afraid, but anyone with any sense would be afraid for him. Discount, Discount Code Renews March 11, 2023 After losing the plant of eternal life, Gilgamesh returns to his kingdom of Uruk. She, Shamhat, is sent by Gilgamesh to Enkidu in order to gain control over this wild man named . Throughout the epic, he leaves his society in hopes of gaining everlasting life, yet only returns with wisdom that becomes beneficiary to his people. He is too smart and too strong, and no one can be his equal. Gilgamesh, human son of the Goddess Ninsun and King Lugalbanda, was named the 5th king of Uruk in Mesopotamia around 2700 BCE, and reined for 126 years. (Even if it might not actually work.) Now, in this story Enkidu serves as a very valuable companion to Gilgamesh. However, Gilgamesh is often unstable. Without a prior ordinary world, Gilgamesh was born one third human and two third god. When Gilgamesh realizes that Enkidu is really dead, he tells Urshanabi: "I was terrified by his appearance, I began to fear death" (10.137-138). Whilst this is correct in some points there are other things involved that prove differently. Enkidus friendship calms and focuses him. Even more than most ancient heroes, Gilgamesh's behavior is not particularly heroic by modern standards. Eesh, Gilgamesh, a simple "Excuse me, do you happen to know where I might find Utanapishtim?" Gilgamesh is the handsomest, strongest, and most powerful man in the world. A good king can lose the favor of his people because without them, the glory of being a monarch diminishes, losing the respect and loyalty from his subjects. To add to their treachery, they mock the gods by laying Humbabas head before Enlil, the god who created Humbaba. The goddesses made Gilgamesh strong and near perfect in order to become the King of Uruk. I noticed that Gilgamesh and William Shakespeares character Macbeth have many similarities. When Gilgamesh decides that he wants to fight Humbaba, he refuses to listen to Enkidus worries and protests, You [Enkidu] speak unworthilyI must set my hand to cutting a cedar tree,/I must establish eternal flame (Putchner et al 111). With the power Gilgamesh had. The two are scolded by Enlil, who is mortified that Humbaba has been killed and in the manner that it happened. You are also the handsomest, strongest, and most powerful man in the world (and, don't forget you're also 2/3rds god). Maybe we shouldn't give Gilgamesh such a hard time for being an insufferable bully; he seems to have come by it honestly. People of Uruk suffered from tyranny and were brutally oppressed. In fact, it's crucial. He forcibly takes, for his sexual satisfaction, the "the daughter of the warrior" and "the bride of the young man" (1.75). We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Mulan is a girl that grew up in Ancient China. Gilgamesh is a terrific example of how the human needs can surpass the desires and wishes of other humans, and how the humans can attack and destroy the nature for its own satisfaction and fulfillment. Throughout the epic, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kiss and hug each other frequently. The Epic of Gilgamesh can be compared to the hero tale, The Odyssey. He, looked at the walls, awed at the heights his people had achieved (92). Most scholars see him as a historical figure, but I myself think . 20% And, shortly thereafter the story is over. Be you my husband and I your wife! | These traits are shown in the epic when the elders describe the two characters stating, Always encountering success, Gilgamesh was once a tyrant to his people. A forest journey: the role of wood in the development of civilization. Not being willing to share. How Did Gilgamesh Become Selfish 906 Words | 4 Pages. The men of Uruk gossip and did not trust Gilgamesh. Whether it's conscripting young men into his army, raping women, or having anyone he fancies executed at the drop of a hat, Gilgamesh exercises a tyranny over his people that makes them pray to the gods for relief. Some manage to somehow cheat death and in their adulthood wonder "what the heck was I thinking? They complained to Aruru, the goddess of creation, that she must make someone stronger than Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh enjoyed proving he was worthy any chance he got. For example, the harlot in Tablet 1 of the Epic of Gilgamesh. In this case the two characters being Gilgamesh and Ishtar. Gilgamesh was regarded as great hero in the people of uruk because of his wisdom and braveness. In other words, this makes him a supernatural hero. The other, a man named Gilgamesh, a strong and handsome man from an epic story of the Ancient Babylonian time. However, Enkidu displays several acts of disobedience and trickery toward the gods, which mark him as the least religious character. She took it upon herself to disguise herself as a man, and take her father's position in the army due to his advancement of age and fragility. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. To be sure, it is the gods' intention that Gilgamesh will still be a king, and a very powerful one at that, but with the crucial difference that he'll be a wise, benevolent king, someone who will inspire respect among his subjects rather than fear and terror. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, what does Gilgamesh gain from his epic quest? Selfish behavior is often described as . They viciously murder Humbaba even after he pleads for mercy. (I). Never being prepared to do a favor unless you are getting something in return. Abruptly abandoning glory, wealth, and power, all of which are worldly aspirations that he as king had once epitomized, he begins a quest to learn the secret of eternal life. Since he finally knew what it was like to have a companion and someone of his level of greatness, he no longer terrorized his city as he did before, and is still aware that death is inevitable. Even though he is created by the Gods to be perfect, he misuses his powers and gifts for his own earthly pleasure. Hairy and brawny, Enkidu lived with animals in the wilderness. $24.99 Mother always knows best? Yet, after Enkidu passed away, Gilgamesh becomes so distraught, he becomes obsessed and fearful of death, and seeks the secret to immortality from there on. He helps destroy Humbaba and then he kills the Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh had a lot of powers, but he was not wise as he was not content with what he had, and attempted to live forever. Anyway, in these dreams, Gilgamesh passionately embraces, first, a giant meteorite, and, then, a giant axe. The events in the characters life do indeed cover a broad range of heroic epic encounters; however it is the character and psychological or emotional, In the epic we have seen that Gilgamesh was strong , powerful and important among his people . Gilgamesh and his best friend Enkidu killed the creature with a sword and ripped out its heart. This might be true when describing Gilgamesh and his heroism, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, but he is also considered a hero because he follows the model of the mono-mythic quest. As punishment, Enkidu was sent to death by the gods. Latest answer posted September 04, 2020 at 7:01:47 PM. Gilgameshs behavior is not one of a. Gilgamesh impresses his people with his unusual abilities and strengthens by predicting the coming flood and building a magnificent wall around Uruk. In other words, it isn't that he is simply picking on the "servant" class or somethinghe treats the warriors, the nobles, and the servants as equally beneath him. He never wanted more, possibly because he did not know how much more the world had to offer. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. In the beginning, Gilgamesh was seen as a strong ruler, but he was also seen as some what a selfish tyrant going around taking what he wanted, when he wanted it. This is where all Gilgamesh journeys began and where they would all bring him back to in the end. In one part of the epic, Gilgamesh defeats, The story opens on Gilgamesh, a two-third god and one-third man, a hero, more beautiful and courageous than any ever known, and whose undertakings embody our own. Finally, he accepts his mortality on his way back to Uruk with the boatman alongside him: O Ur-shanabi, climb Uruks wall and walk back and forth! Gilgameshs strong will helps him through the trials he must face to reach immortality. Whether they may be visual or audio, one is bound to find similarities that match their criteria of misery or happiness. In the epic Gilgamesh, the characters traits of both Gilgamesh and Enkidu help to build a lasting friendship through their differences. Oppressed by [the] idleness, Enkidu and Gilgamesh sets off on a journey to kill the giant Humbaba who has seven fearsome splendors as weapons, with their axe, bow and shield. However, he has some qualities that gets him into trouble, such as his overconfidence and his violence. And Gilgamesh is just the man for the job. But when they finally arrive back in Uruk, Gilgamesh seems to have gotten control of himself. At the beginning of his journey, he continues to act like his jerky pre-Enkidu self. Shamashs help is given despite the fact that the killing of the beast will enrage Enlil. We aren't sure quite what it is because the tablet is broken in this part, but we know it is not anything that would contribute to the safety, security, or eminence of Uruk, since the people claim that Gilgamesh is "arrogantly" forcing the activity upon them "day and night. When Enkidu advises against this perilous quest, Gilgamesh simply replies with, Where is your courage?/If I should fall, my fame will be secure. Everybody who reads this story, or hears it is supposed to realize that Gilgamesh is actually you the one who read it, and his journey is a representation of adversity that we must all overcome in life. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, https://www.enotes.com/topics/epic-gilgamesh. in China. He had many extraordinary qualities, and heroic characteristics. After losing the plant of eternal life, Gilgamesh returns to his kingdom of Uruk. He was physically beautiful as well as strong. One of the earliest stories of Gilgamesh is developed from Sumerian texts, one of the most influential and well-known poems (Michelakis & Pantelis 2007). And, that is the camp that our boy Gilgamesh is in. Odysseus mercilessness to his townsfolk is a stark change from his dedication to his crew members earlier. Gilgamesh is so strong willed he seems arrogant, he, In the beginning Gilgamesh is said to be two-thirds god and one-third man. When his new, beloved friend dies, Gilgamesh realizes there's no room in life to be a cocky, selfish king. Gilgamesh and Enkidu ruthlessly triumph over Humbaba and in their celebration. At the beginning of the epic, Gilgameshwho is two-thirds god and one-third manis described as being the most powerful ruler on earth. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. This shows that Gilgamesh is no longer selfish and only cares about himself, but also that he learns to care . He is the greatest of all men, and both his virtues and his flaws are outsized. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This journey takes him into various leagues of darkness. I could've killed myself!" Gilgamesh is very strong. After he gained justification from the Gods, Gilgamesh and Enkidu did in fact destroy the beast, but a curse was set in place. Abused by Gilgamesh, the gods creates his second self, an uncultured wild man, Enkidu. Gilgamesh was a selfish, mean person who tormented his people. 394 Words2 Pages. He says that we'll all die, but he doesn't realize what that actually means until after Enkidu does die. He was known for killing the sons of his own people and raping their daughters. He leaves his people and embarks on a dangerous journey in the wilderness to "find out how death could be avoided" (1.9.48). The two are scolded by Enlil, who is mortified that Humbaba has been killed and in the manner that it happened. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 We know that once he returned with Urshanabi to Uruk, Gilgamesh set about "restoring the sanctuaries (or: cities) that the Flood had destroyed" (1.42). Gilgamesh is a terrific example of how the human needs can surpass the desires and wishes of other humans, and how the humans can attack and destroy the nature for its own satisfaction and fulfillment. Another event that changes Gilgamesh's character is the death of Enkidu. And he became a "hero," a leader, a trusted companion, a protector of his peoplein short, no one could "compare with him in kingliness" (1.29-43). He had many extraordinary qualities, and heroic characteristics. There are many factors in which Gilgamesh is considered an epic hero. Gilgamesh was selfish; leaving his people to find everlasting life. On the contrary, Gilgamesh plans to use the Plant of Heartbeat and [] feed some to [an ancient] (Gilgamesh, 98). Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Or does he simply think a quest will provide him with lots of quality time with his new best bud? Gilgamesh is an epic that has been passed down for thousands of years. The gods hear their plea and decide to make a companion for Gilgamesh that will be just as strong as he is. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Gilgameshs impatience when asked to think about what he is doing showcases that he is not a virtuous. Aruru listened and made Enkidu. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh grieves deeply and is horrified by the prospect of his own death. He refuses to stop when people ask him to nor will he think about anything else than what he wants to do. At this point Gilgamesh is humbled by the fact that even he could not escape the wrath of death. In sharp contrast, Enkidu was raised in the wild and is foreign to civilization. It is not known what this activity was, but it was described as being forced onto the young men "day and night.". Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Literature and The Epic of Gilgamesh Background, Read about another ancient epic character whose excesses cause strife, Achilles from Homers. He says, "I will go first although I am your lord." (71) This is a good trait of Gilgamesh being a king because he is showing leadership skills and his ability to conquer his fears. It is only after he learns the story of the flood from Utnapishtim, the epiphany that he becomes his most noble and wise self. Published works of art are always found to have similarities with other published pieces. 2. What are the similarities and differences between Enkidu and Gilgamesh in The Epic of Gilgamesh? The text is still not completely understood today., However, Gilgamesh received the response that he was young, foolish, and most definitely not invincible. The most obvious being that he is a king, a man of highest level in society. Since he was two-thirds god and the people of Uruk were frightened of him. He is also tragically heroic after the death of his friend, Enkidu. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of why Gilgamesh feels this inadequacy and how this is a crucial step on his journey to consciousness. One of Gilgameshs many desires is to win fame and glory for himself and his descendants. At the beginning of the epic that bears his name, Gilgamesh is the epitome of a tyrant. Examples Of Archetypes In Shrek. Finally, he accepts his mortality on his way back to Uruk with the boatman alongside him: O Ur-shanabi, climb Uruks wall and walk back and forth! But when Enkidu dies for him, he has a change of heart. We see the definition of "good king" change from "awfully good at killing monsters" to "really good at ruling a city.". After Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh to a contest of strength, they became best friends. After slaying the giant, Ishtar calls upon Gilgamesh, Comparisons between various characters abound in near-eastern Mesopotamian epic and Homeric epics. The Epic of Gilgamesh | Quotes Share 1. Throughout the story, Gilgamesh is portrayed as bravery and courageous, Surprisingly, Gilgamesh is scared, and almost reluctant to fight when he first sees Humbaba. Okay, so at the start of the epic (1.1-50), we hear about how amazing this Gilgamesh fellow is, only to be followed by a detailed description of what a jerk he is. Returning to his kingdom of Ithaca, Odysseus ruthlessly [] [took] dead aim at Antinous throat and shot (Odyssey, 199), killing him before the rest of the suitors, who would meet the same fate. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Dont have an account? Imagine: your mom is a goddess and your dad was the king before you. Selfish people are uncaring and neglectful of other people's needs. During combat, Humbaba begins to plead for his life. The people who lived in the city would tell. Gilgamesh is a king that shows off his power and enviably shows his weak side in most altercations. He was also known and appreciated for building many walls and temples around his city, which no man who followed ever matched. This is not written to simply glorify King Gilgameshs life, its just a story written to entertain the audience while teaching implicit life lessons about becoming an adult and the power of the Gods. Gilgamesh is a tyrant because he kills men and takes advantage of women in his kingdom. At the beginning of the story we see Gilgamesh as someone who thinks he is better than everyone, who treats his people unkindly and who uses people and things unfairly. from Oxford University Ph.D. from St. Andrews University. By the end of both king's quests, they change between being thoughtful to ruthless. The people of Uruk were frightened. This is the result of the environment during the time the piece was being written. Gilgamesh, once believing he was almighty, becomes a greater man and leader through, Through the anonymous mouth, we know that Gilgamesh is one-third man and two-third god. The character, emotional and psychological development of Gilgamesh can be borrowed especially from the ancient heroic perspectives of mortality and death while comparing with Achilles. Latest answer posted November 14, 2018 at 10:04:09 AM. This demonstrates Gilgameshs newfound appreciation for his city and life, and provides the audience with closure of his. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. When other fairy tale creatures, who like Shrek have been shunned from society, arrive at his swamp after being kicked out of the Kingdom by Lord Farquaad . New York: W.W. Norton, 1989. Gilgamesh is very strong. For example, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, a city of culture, and personifies the highest of human virtues, such as fairness, bravery, and courage. The story of Mulan is originally a Ballad. You'll also receive an email with the link. Another change in Gilgameshs behavior is shown when he urges Ur-shanabi [to] climb Uruks wall and walk back and forth! Accessed 4 Mar. Early Mesopotamian people are bilingual, and since there was no unified form of writing, the text is written in Akkadian and Sumerian. Here's where Enkidu comes in. Returning to his kingdom of Ithaca, Odysseus ruthlessly [] [took] dead aim at Antinous throat and shot (Odyssey, 199), killing him before the rest of the suitors, who would meet the same fate. Anu hears the people's cries, and the goddess Aruru creates an opposing warrior out of clay named Enkidu. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. He also wanted to be immortal so he could defeat death and live forever., not have one all well, and that is why they have to be treated in the same way. 3) Selfish people are uncaring towards others. First, he demands to sleep with all of the new brides before their honeymoon. Another obligation of Gilgamesh is to be unselfish. When his new, beloved friend dies, Gilgamesh realizes there's no room in life to be a cocky, selfish king. 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. eNotes Editorial, 15 Oct. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-is-gilgamesh-a-tyrant-in-the-beginning-of-the-381851. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, what is the symbolic significance of Humbaba? You might say that Ninsun has looked at her son's behavior and offered her own interpretation of what is missing in his life: a friend. Yep, we're guessing that Ninsun and Lugalbanda (Gilgamesh's parents) doted on little Gilgamesh and pretty much let him slay whatever he wanted. By the end of the epic, Gilgamesh gains perspective on what it takes to be a remembered leader and returns to Uruk to rule as a benevolent, honorable king. Print., not have one all well, and that is why they have to be treated in the same way., The Epic of Gilgamesh is a third person journey about a mans change from bad to good because of a character named Enkidu. Throughout the story different experiences and journeys lead Gilgamesh to this ending. His triumphs fostered arrogance. What are the moral lessons that we will gain in this epic? Enkidu loses his animal-like strength but gains understanding. Of course, this is all a lot of hubris y'know, chutzpah, audacity, nerve, pretentiousnesson his part. Beautiful to behold, Gilgamesh selfishly indulges his appetites, raping whatever woman he desires, whether she is the wife of a warrior or the daughter of a nobleor a bride on her wedding night. After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh is forced to think about about his death, so he decided he need something that will help him to be immortal, I fear the death, and now roam the wilderness, Gilgamesh said. However, Gilgamesh is often unstable. Gilgamesh, as a character, while powerful and strong, struggles with some of history's greatest tragic human flaws; he is arrogant, selfish, and greedy. Tablet II Enkidu speaks these lines in Tablet II, as he and Gilgamesh prepare to invade the forbidden Cedar Forest and fight the demon Humbaba. Well, when Enkidu does show up, despite an initial fight, he and Gilgamesh soon become completely inseparable, exchanging heart necklaces and running up their immortal parents' phone bill. Throughout the story, Gilgamesh is portrayed as bravery and courageous, Surprisingly, Gilgamesh is scared, and almost reluctant to fight when he first sees Humbaba. After conflicts between the two, they kissed and formed friendship. His mother blames all this seeking glory on Gilgamesh having "a restless heart" inflicted upon him by the gods (3.46). They complained to Aruru, the goddess of creation, that she must make someone stronger than Gilgamesh. Of course, Gilgamesh has his own interpretation of why they must brave danger to go on their quest. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. This ending proves that what made Gilgamesh physically heroic was his bravery to go on a journey, even though it was driven by immortal desire. Several dreams bring Gilgamesh doubts but with the reassurance from Enkidu, he is able to overcome the distress and defeat the demon Humbaba. This is where all Gilgamesh journeys began and where they would all bring him back to in the end. Then he washed his hairy body, anointed himself. He would compel young men to participate in an unknown activity which was despised by them. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all; and is this the king, the shepherd of his people? said: 'Enkidu, this is the food and drink. This very moment is when Gilgamesh sets on a voyage for immortality. Gilgamesh needs help to defeat Humbaba, but his arrogance keeps him from becoming self-aware of his weakness. To him, everyone else paled in comparison. Gilgamesh starts out a mean spirited, bitter, tyrant-like man and turns to a good humble like hero. Sometimes it can end up there. Gilgamesh had the quest where he was wanted to kill Humbaba and gain the eternal fame .This essay will discuss on how Gilgameshs quest shift from wanting the eternal fame to search for immortality., The nature of heroism is defined as the attributes or qualities of a hero and his or her courageous actions. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. He also has to face great evils. As stated earlier, courage is another important aspect of leadership. Does this mean he is sleeping with her? He, looked at the walls, awed at the heights his people had achieved (92). Even with his selfish deeds, the towns people think of him as their hero. In sharp contrast, Enkidu was raised in the wild and is foreign to civilization. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Gilgamesh held no esteem whatsoever for life itself because he had never tasted the bitterness of a friend or relatives death. Examples Of Odysseus Being A Good Leader 784 Words | 4 Pages . In other words, this makes him a supernatural hero. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! He did this for nothing in return, where we can notice that he already had a plan for Enkidu. Of course Enkidu ends up being a good addition to Gilgamesh 's life. Regardless, the two continue to celebrate, immaturely throwing their braggadocio in the gods faces. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. He does whatever he wants, throwing all caution to the wind until the piper comes looking for his payment in the form of Enkidu's life. As a result, Gilgamesh became afraid of his death and started to seek immortality, which is how the call to adventure has. These men were very different but, at some point very powerful times in their lives and then also had some challenging times. Gilgamesh finds his adversary, fights him, only to embrace him and be best friends. As the king of Uruk, he already has what will secure his own fame and glory: a grand city that it is up to him to lead, to rule, to improve, to protect. Traits of Selfish People: Manipulating situations to your advantage. In a way Gilgamesh cannot help but to be the selfish king that he is because, he came into this personality due to his upbringing and surroundings and his overall being. For example, if you open up your emotions to them, they may try to manipulate you to get what they want or make you feel guilty. Anyway, that is the moment that starts to set Gilgamesh on a good path. Gilgamesh, once believing he was almighty, becomes a greater man and leader through, Through the anonymous mouth, we know that Gilgamesh is one-third man and two-third god. Unfortunately, Enkidu dies because the goddesses want to punish him owing to the fact that he and Gilgamesh killed the Bull of Heaven. As a result, Gilgameshs corruption prohibits him from calling himself a great king among other. Whereas some are convinced this was not a crucial step, but only a supplementary step to the beginning to his consciousness, others maintain that this rejection was the crucial turning point in Gilgameshs life and the direct cause to his journey to consciousness. As a result, his people fear him. Gilgamesh was a brutal ruler to his kingdom though. He had seen everything, had experienced all emotions, / from exaltation to despair. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! When he shows up at Siduri's tavern looking like a hot mess, she bolts the door, fearing for her life. This journey takes him into various leagues of darkness. The examples of Gilgamesh displaying good leadership is when he brings Enkidu's humanity back, becomes friends with Enkidu, defeats Humbaba, defeats Ishar and the Bull of Heaven, and when he crosses the Sea of Death. This example shows Gilgamesh's heroism in not only defeating the monster, but in demonstrating his integrity when tempted by Ishtar. Reflecting on his rule, he recalls that, He demanded from an old birthright/the privilege of sleeping with their brides (15). When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh grieves deeply and is horrified by the prospect of his own death. ". Gilgamesh is the handsomest, strongest, and most powerful man in the world. When the epic opens, Gilgamesh is an arrogant and strong man. Yet, after Enkidu passed away, Gilgamesh becomes so distraught, he becomes obsessed and fearful of death, and seeks the secret to immortality from there on. Throughout the story different experiences and journeys lead Gilgamesh to this ending. What made Gilgamesh, from The Epic of Gilgamesh, such an epic hero. After the death of friend (Enkidu), Gilgamesh set out in his quest for immortal life. Gilgamesh's "arrogance has no bounds by day or night" (62). However, Gilgamesh is often unstable. What he finds instead is the wisdom to strike harmony with his divine and mortal attributes.