Death is inevitable, maybe in Gilgamesh’s era immortality seemed like a possibility, we know it will reach us eventually. The true mystery is, how would we approach the unescapable future and what would we leave behind as our legacy? Many people face this dilemma, and we can’t avoid it. Gilgamesh, who was so closed to being considered a God, has everything in life that a man can wish for, but he’s not your typical human. The two-thirds of a God, which he has in him, is missing a very important piece, immortality. Any man in their normal state of mind would not even think of achieving the impossible, but not Gilgamesh. What is the reason for such tremendous need for immortality?

As Utnapishtim said “No one sees death” (Page 142 line 228). We are all afraid of the unknown, but could the mighty king’s one-third human side be feeling the same fear we feel, “grown afraid of death” (Page 134 line 5)? Or is it because of seeing his equal, Enkidu, be brought down so spontaneous and unexpectedly? If you believe Enkidu is the reason for his initial search of immortality, then why does he crave it much prior to the downfall of Enkidu, “I must establish eternal fame” (Page 110 line 191). Could it be because he wants to forever remain as the greatest kings, or maybe it’s because he realizes that after he passes away he will leave nothing behind, not even a child to continue his legacy, or is it just a simple human fear of death?