Epic of Gilgamesh

Epic of Gilgamesh is an impressive epic talking about Gilgamesh, a powerful king of Uruk in Babylonia. There are many myths and stories written about Gilgamesh; however, the Epic of Gilgamesh is of the most popular. A story begins at Uruk in Mesopotamia, the most important place of the Western Civilization. The poem describes lives at that time very specific. For example, Gilgamesh is a king, so he has right and power to sleep with young women. Also, prostitution, lust and powerful are mentioned. Besides, at the last tablet, tablet number eleven, the poem mentions about the huge flood happens at Uruk area. Then, this idea links to the flood that usually occurs at Mesopotamia region as I have learned from the history class. In addition, the poem brings up Utnapishtim who builds a boat to survive over the flood and repopulate the earth which is bond to what I have read from the text book. Moreover, there is an interesting thing is a snake slithers up and eats the magic plant at the last tablet. In my opinion, I think this is a reason why snakes shed their skin that also is a connection from the reading to modern life.

Furthermore, Epic of Gilgamesh is the earliest literature of the world, so it is the most essential reading in Western Civilization. It is the pioneer for other poetry, songs and art which influences other region such as Greece, Egypt, and so on. For instance, this story is talking about heroes, Gods, Goddess, demons and exploits that inspire to Greek's epics hero such as Oddysseus and on and on. Moreover, the epic of Gilgamesh contains many values of life such as love, erotic, friendship and motivation. For instance, Enkidu changes Gilagamesh from a tyrant to a hero, a superior king. Therefore, after Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh's grief forces him to find immortal life. The erotic love which drives Enkidu to Uruk also makes Gilgamesh in trouble because of repudiation Ishtar's love, the goddess of love. Even though I read this epic four thousand years after it was written, I have learned the meaning of life, values and lessons that the epic carries. This epic is the first written of human being, so it has affected other literatures occur later as well as today in modern life.

In short, Epic of Gilgamesh is a great epic with helpful lessons that also is similar to many epics and mythological tales I have read. However, it is the earliest and the first literature of human, so I think it is so special because its influences still maintain in nowadays. According to me, Gilgamesh is a good king. Even though, he fails in seeking external life, he has made a prosperous city by his exploit. Also, Gilgamesh is such a wise king since he denies goddess Ishtar's love regardless of her powerful. Even though she is a goddess, she is very cruel. She abuses her lovers; for example, she hits her lover, 'Little Shepherd' bird and breaks his wing. Besides, he is a hero with countless courage when he confronts with