Catalano 1

I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh (Gilgamesh 12). This epic
poem, filled with repetitions and verbose descriptions, reflects an obvious connection to
its aural roots. Nevertheless, amid all of this excess wordage, we find a deliberate
message the narrator wishes to convey, thereby shedding light on the deeds of our
hero, Gilgamesh. Although the epic of Gilgamesh appears to be a disconnected telling
of events, the theme of the human quest for the meaning of life clearly presents itself in
Gilgameshs search for renown, in his doomed pursuit for everlasting life, and finally in
his reign and development of Uruk.
In Gilgameshs search for renown, we find his first attempt to carry out a
meaningful task, leaving behind his days of debauchery. Enkidu is the necessary
counterpart who initiates Gilgameshs quest for the meaning of life. In a declaration of
Gilgameshs purpose, Enkidu proclaims, [Enlil] has given you power to bind and to
loose, to be the darkness and the light of mankind (17). One can see that Enkidu has
transformed Gilgamesh into a man with a mission, drawing him away from his unruly
past. Gilgamesh now begins his quest along side his newly found companion. Touched
by Enkidus inspiring words, Gilgamesh develops a plan of action, citing how his quest
shall unfold. He declares, I will set up my name in the place where the names of
famous men are written, and where no mans name is writtenI will raise a monument
to the gods. Because of the evil that is in the land, we will go to the forest and destroy
the evil (17). As a changed man, Gilgamesh now has a purpose, a goal to lend
meaning to his entire existence. What is more, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu believe that
they will leave behind an enduring name by going off to kill Humbaba and later the Bull
of Heaven. Enkidu asserts, We boasted that we would leave enduring names behind

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us. Now thrust in your sword between the nape and the horns (26). As a result, the
two friends blind themselves with zealous pride. Yet, while talking with Enkidu on his
deathbed, Gilgamesh finds himself desperately searching for answers, uncertain as to
where his next move should be. Realizing the foolishness of his prideful actions,
Gilgamesh says, The end of life is sorrow, thereby revealing his apparent need to
encounter an immortal solution. Discussing his longing for Enkidu with the ManScorpion, Gilgamesh sadly remarks, I thought my friend would come back because of
my weeping. Since he went, my life is nothing (31). Consequently, Gilgamesh must
adjust to this void created by the death of his companion and search for Utnapishtim in
order to find the secret to eternal life.
In his doomed pursuit for everlasting life, Gilgamesh still unknowingly continues
down the road that ultimately leads to wisdom. In spite of receiving explicit instructions
not to embark upon the journey, he trudges onward to find Utnapishtim. At this point,
Gilgamesh cries out, How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair is in my heart.
What my brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead. Because I am afraid of death I
will go as best I can to find Utnapishtim (30). Instead of acquiring life everlasting,
Gilgamesh receives an enlightened message from a genuine possessor of wisdom.
Utnapishtim claims, [In life] there is no permanence When the Anunnaki, the judges,
come together, and Mammetun the mother of destines, together they decree the fates of
men. Life and death they allot but the day of death they do not disclose (35). Hence,
Gilgamesh once again must humble himself and understand that his quest for the
meaning of life will not include the acquisition of immortality. Moreover, Utnapishtim
enforces his point by asking the question, What is there between the master and the

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servant when both have fulfilled their doom? (35). Using this example, Utnapishtim
hopes that Gilgamesh will see that his own destiny and purpose can be achieved within
a finite lifetime, far from the reaches of immortality. Utnapishtim then relays to
Gilgamesh a priceless piece of knowledge by saying, I will reveal to you a mystery, I
will tell you a secret of the gods (35). Utnapishtim goes on to recite the story of the
Flood, thereby passing on invaluable knowledge. However, Gilgamesh ultimately fails
the definitive tests for attaining everlasting life, further confirming that his true purpose
lies elsewhere. Thus, Gilgamesh must find yet another path to follow in his search for
the true meaning of life.
The final stage of his quest begins when he returns to the city of Uruk. Here
Gilgamesh discovers the meaning of life through the attainment of wisdom, thereby
ending his pursuit. In an effort to emphasize this point, the narrator asserts,
[Gilgamesh] was wise, he saw mysteries and knew secret things, he brought us a tale
of the days before the flood (40). Hence, we now have confirmation that Gilgamesh
has reached his pinnacle achievement as a king. Furthermore, we find that Gilgamesh
does indeed achieve a certain degree of immortality when the narrator reveals,
[Gilgamesh] went on a long journey, was weary, worn-out with labour, and returning
engraved on a stone the whole story (40). As such, this permanent legacy will
transcend time, forever taking with it the name and legend of Gilgamesh. In a final
proclamation of this eternal fame, Enlil, the father of the gods, tells us, Men will say,
Who has ever ruled with might and power like him? As in the dark month, the month of
shadows, so without him there is no light. O Gilgamesh, this was the meaning of your
dream. You were given the kingship, such was your destiny (40). Accordingly,

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Gilgamesh at last becomes a wise king, a permanent standard to his people to be
admired for all time.
In any event, the epic of Gilgamesh indeed displays an accumulation of
adventures marking its creation over a span of 1000 years. Yet, the quest for the
meaning of life as seen through Gilgameshs search for renown, along with his doomed
quest for everlasting life, and his reign and development of Uruk depicts an obvious
theme that should not go unnoticed. In the end, Gilgamesh is a true possessor of
wisdom and succeeds in his quest by bestowing this virtue upon mankind, a purpose in
life truly worthy of a noble king.

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Works Cited
Gilgamesh. Trans. N.K. Sandars. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Sarah
Lawall et al. 2nd ed. Volume. A. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2002. 10-41.