The Epic of Gilgamesh, Sex, and the Fear of Death

             The Epic Gilgamesh is based on Mesopotamian culture. The first known author wrote the epic of Gilgamesh which is pretty cool his name was Shin-Eqi-Unninni. The story is about the transformation of an awful king into a wonderful king who leaves behind his legacy- the walls of Uruk. Gilgamesh is sleeping with and raping the women of his kingdom and isn’t respected by his people. Gilgamesh is abusing his power as king. He is sleeping with men’s wives right after they get married so instead of the married couple enjoying their first night together Gilgamesh is coming in and consummating the marriage himself.  But then he goes on to have a complete change of heart and become a better king that others admire. Gilgamesh’s sidekick Enkidu first starts out as a wild man and then after having sex with a temple prostitute he becomes a civilized man. The thought of sex civilizing a man was kind of funny to me. I don’t really see sex as a way to civilize a man but hey that’s just my opinion.  I think once a guy finally has sex he is constantly trying to do it again and when a man hasn’t had sex yet he is continuously trying to find someone to have sex with. Or maybe this is just guys now days but any ways I see sex as something that frequently has a man’s attention and something that has a never ending cycle. Don’t take it the wrong way I am not trying in any way to talk badly about men. J

Gilgamesh is afraid of death he goes to great lengths to escape and avoid death especially after his sidekick Enkidu’s dies. I’m sure for most of us after someone we know has passed, think more and more about death and it freaks us out even more.  It is understandable to fear death. It is scary to think about not being here. No one really knows what happens when you die and that leaves an uneasy feeling in people.  Maybe it is the simple fact that once you die that’s it there is no coming back and you do not know what to expect from the afterlife.  People have to accept the fact that life comes with death.  Death is inescapable and inevitable. I think most people fear dying without finishing their lifetime goals and dreams. We want to live as long as we can so we can experience all that life has to offer, I know I do.  But once we accept death as something that is going to happen no matter what it might be easier to deal with.          

Word Count: 442