The Restless Heart
Gilgamesh as a character is so incredibly interesting to me. He is so filled with ambition and pride. He would rather die gloriously than ever risk dying forgotten. I admire his passion and his drive, but based on the reactions of those around him, I can't help but feel that he may tend to take it a bit too far sometimes. When Ninsun is praying for his journey to battle Humbaba, she asks Shamash "...Why did you give this restless heart to Gilgamesh, my son?" (74). The counselors of Uruk also tell Gilgamesh that his courage will carry him too far (73). Nonetheless, Gilgamesh continues to recklessly pursue glory and an everlasting name.
Personally, I can't help but wonder what his motive in this is. Why does he continually reject the counsel of those around him? Does he truly care whether he lives or dies? Is a legacy worth cutting short your life? He pursues fame with abandon, with no regard for the consequences. He sees his goal and nothing else. I feel that this is largely due to the fact that he is two-thirds of a god. His heart is restless, much more so than a normal man's. Eternal life is just barely out of his reach, and that would be so infuriating and frustrating. The next best thing would be a lasting legacy, and the fact that we are still discussing Gilgamesh's story so many centuries later is proof (to me, at least) that his goal was achieved.
P.S. I commented on Phillip and Sophia's
Personally, I can't help but wonder what his motive in this is. Why does he continually reject the counsel of those around him? Does he truly care whether he lives or dies? Is a legacy worth cutting short your life? He pursues fame with abandon, with no regard for the consequences. He sees his goal and nothing else. I feel that this is largely due to the fact that he is two-thirds of a god. His heart is restless, much more so than a normal man's. Eternal life is just barely out of his reach, and that would be so infuriating and frustrating. The next best thing would be a lasting legacy, and the fact that we are still discussing Gilgamesh's story so many centuries later is proof (to me, at least) that his goal was achieved.
P.S. I commented on Phillip and Sophia's
He in an ironic way achieved his goal. From the beginning he wanted his name on brick for all to see. He went to the cedar forest to make a name for himself. I personally think he does not care if he lives or dies in his adventures. He sees his future in his dreams and he feels as if he has the Gods on his side and he himself is 2 parts a god so he has nothing to fear. He may not be alive today but his name lives on and like you said the fact we are still discussing it is amazing, and just proves your point further.
ReplyDeleteI think that is it just human nature to want to be remembered. I'm sure even in Gil's time he saw people die that had no legacy or no one to pass on their life. Honestly, I think Gil is scared that he won't be remembered and thats why he acts out and is so awful. Its like the idea that any publicity is good publicity.
ReplyDeleteFor being such a highly esteemed hero, I have to agree it's a bit shocking in realizing Gilgamesh's character flaws. What drove him in his quest to greatness also causes him to be full of grief and pain. He likely is well aware of what his ambition and drive for glory have already done for him, and much like me when I discovered the sweet taste of cheesecake, Gilgamesh is attempting to indulge his desires for glory and indulge further into his desires , in spite of the depressing consequences.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the problem with Gilgamesh is that he simply doesn't fear death in the begining. He is two thrids god and all of his life he has been the strongest of all the men on earth. Until Enkidu comes along he has had no equal. When Enkidu dies after the gods decided Gilgamesh and Enkidu had to pay a price for killing the bull, Gilgamesh finally realizes his inevitable death. He comes face to face with fear for the first time in his life and doesn't know how to handle it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I found the actual story exceptionally more interesting than the introduction. It's so weird to wonder if he would have achieved his goal even if he would have died. To elaborate on your idea that he put his life at risk to achieve his goal of being remembered forever. I wonder at what point the story could end for him to still be remembered forever. If Enkidu wasn't killed would this still be a great story? If Gilgamesh and Enkidu die to Humambe would we be discussing a great tale of a hero and his valiant effort to slay a great beast? Do we only still talk about Gilgamesh because he succeeded and search for everlasting life after witnessing his friend die?
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