Lesson in Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of a long lesson learned in suffering and sorrow. Gilgamesh, the one who has problems of friendship and death, spends the last few tablets searching for an answer. After finishing the epic, the ending felt like nothing but a disappointment: unbearably tragic. Throughout the story, I have learned to like the character Gilgamesh as the story progressed, despite his monstrous behavior in the beginning. Losing his friend, Gilgamesh journeys far to avoid his own death. It is in this part of the story when I finally felt Gilgamesh's utter desperation and pity for Gilgamesh. The emotions in this portion of the story strongly teach an important lesson about life.

In spite of going through a long life of learning, suffering, and emotions, Gilgamesh's final journey of desperation to find immortality fails. Like Gilgamesh, not everyone can get what they deserve, despite effort and determination. One can endure incredible emotional and physical pain for an extended period of time, hoping to reach their goal, yet still failing to succeed. It is a fact of life, learned in time and pain.