Gilgamesh is an epic that has been passed down for thousands of years. The epic
narrates the legendary deeds of the main character Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is
two-thirds immortal and one-third mortal; however, he cannot accept his fate
that one day he too will die. The entire epic tells the story of Gilgamesh’s
life and searche for immortality. Through his many trials and tribulations,
Gilgamesh proves that he has great physical strength. However, throughout the
epic Gilgamesh also shows he is emotionally unstable and immature. The author
created Gilgamesh with this flaw of immaturity so that he would be a more
believable character. The depth of Gilgamesh's physical strength first appears
to the reader in the prologue. Gilgamesh is said to be "the man to whom all
things are known". The gods created him with great care giving him beauty
and courage. "The great gods made his beauty perfect, surpassing all
others, terrifying like a great wild bull". Furthermore, his beauty and
power were like that of no other man. The story begins by stating that Gilgamesh
is an overbearing king. He never sleeps due to his over indulgence in life.
Gilgamesh keeps the city in disruption involving anyone he pleases in his
corrupt demands. He sleeps with all the virgins before they are married,
therefore, making them impure before their husbands have a chance to sleep with
them. If Gilgamesh were a mature king, he would see no reason to show he is the
most powerful. He would lead his people with only good intentions and rule the
land justly. Even though Gilgamesh demonstrates great physical strength in
defeating Humbaba and by killing the Bull of Heaven, his emotional strength is
put to the test when Enkidu, his companion, dies. Gilgamesh wants everyone and
everything to mourn his death. He could not accept Enkidu's death. "Seven
days and seven nights he wept for Enkidu, until the worm fastened on him".
His irrational actions prove Gilgamesh is emotionally unstable and immature.
Another example of Gilgamesh's immaturity is his infatuation with immortality.
He abandons his normal way of life, leaves Uruk, and begins a new life as a
hunter. Gilgamesh goes on a long and dangerous journey to find Utnapishtim, a
man who was given eternal life by the gods, to find out how he escaped death.
However, Gilgamesh soon finds out that death is unavoidable. Throughout the epic
of Gilgamesh, the characteristics of immaturity are very apparent to the reader.
Most stories have a heroic character that does not have any flaws, and the
hero's attributes are unattainable by normal humans. However, because Gilgamesh
does have imperfect characteristics, he seems more believable to the reader. The
reader is able to relate to him and compare fears and sorrows. For instance,
many people are scared of death or how they will die. Through this fear of
dying, they can relate to Gilgamesh. Therefore, Gilgamesh's weaknesses add to
the story and make Gilgamesh a more realistic character.