Gilgamesh

Thesis: Gilgamesh, a modern day hero, displays strength, bravery, and determination.

Along Gilgamesh’s long journey to find eternal life he uses his strength to combat difficult obstacles. One of the many difficult tasks Gilgamesh faces occurs at the mountain pass. At the mountain pass Gilgamesh prays to the moon god, Sin, for protection. Then he sleeps until lion’s rudely awake him from his somber sleep. Then Gilgamesh takes his axe his sword “… and [strikes] and [destroys] and [scatters] them.” (Sanders 7). Besides just using his strength to vanquish lions, Gilgamesh also carries his dead friend Enkidu for a whole week. He does this in hope of finding a way to reverse the effects of death. Gilgamesh equally shows his might when he builds a boat from scratch. First Gilgamesh chops down trees for the base of the boat. Then he uses his clothe as a sail, and eventually uses his own body in the boat. The obstacles that Gilgamesh overcomes without a doubt exemplify exactly what it’s like to have strength.

Though strength may be a very important quality it’s not Gilgamesh’s only one. He also exhibits bravery. Bravery, a key element to Gilgamesh’s survival, allows him to continue on his treacherous trek for eternal life. The first challenge Gilgamesh faces happens when Gilgamesh encounters two giant men that “… stand guard, half man and half dragon; their glory is terrifying, their stare strikes death into man …” (Sanders 8). A man of normal courage would run home crying to their mother, but not Gilgamesh. He firmly strides towards the two behemoths in a very fearless manner. By being so fearless the Man-Scorpions allow Gilgamesh to access the Mashu Mountain. Gilgamesh again shows his valor when he dives for the thorny plant that can grant him eternal life. Without hesitation he latches a rock to his legs and jumps into the water. He retrieves the plant and triumphantly returns to the surface. Besides the other obstacles Gilgamesh overcomes he also courageously travels through twelve leagues of darkness. That’s just about thirty-six miles in the dark by himself. To accomplish tasks, such as the ones Gilgamesh did, you would have to truly be brave

In addition to Gilgamesh being strong, and brave; he also displays determination. Without this he would have surely died. First Gilgamesh carries his dead friend Enkidu for a week in hope to find him eternal life. Unfortunately Gilgamesh leaves his goal unfulfilled. Another show of Gilgamesh’s fortitude occurs when he’s told he will fail in his journey for everlasting life. The god Shamash clearly tells Gilgamesh that “You will never find the life for which you are searching”, but this doesn’t stop Gilgamesh; for he knows that if he continues his search he will be handsomely rewarded (Sanders 9). Lastly Gilgamesh shows his perseverance when he makes a boat out of his clothes and timber. Instead of turning around and excepting defeat, without a boat, he builds his own boat, creating a solution for a problem that seems impossible to answer. Gilgamesh obviously shows his determination through the trials he must endure to get to Utnapishtim and with him eternal life.

Work Cited “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” Trans. N.K. Sanders. __The Interactive Reader Plus: World__ __Literature.__ Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2006. 3-22.

Thesis: Gilgamesh, a modern day hero, displays strength, bravery, and determination. Outline I. Strength A. Kills lions B. Carries dead friend for a week C. Builds boat II. Bravery A. Approaches half man half scorpion people B. Dives for thorny plant C. Travels through 12 leagues of darkness III. Determination A. Carries dead friend for a week hoping to bring him back to life B. Continues on adventure even when told he will fail C. Makes boat out of cloths and timber