The story of Gilgamesh includes one of my favorite literary passages. I’d like to see if it resonates with you and, if it does, how.
Consider the following passage. Gilgamesh is seeking eternal life, to be like the gods. Siduri, a tavern keeper or “alewife,” a wise female deity, tells him this will never happen, because he is not 100% divine. However, she attempts to console him by pointing out what is so incredible about being human:
“Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to? You will never find that life for which you are looking. When the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping. As for you, Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man.”
First, discuss this with respect to the story. How does Gilgamesh react to this? Does his opinion change? Does he ever live his life following this advice?
Second, find another passage that supports OR is the opposite of this quote. How does the quote you selected support Siduri’s advice or fail to support it? If it fails to support it, what does your passage support?
Third, I’d like to hear what you think about this personally. Is this the purpose of life? What is it missing? What should not be there? Basically, I’d just like to hear how you feel about this quote.
Make sure you use MLA format. Use quotation marks for quotes and indicate the page number where the quote is located.
Hear The Epic of Gilgamesh Read in the Original Akkadian and Enjoy the Sounds of Mesopotamia
