Gilgamesh And Oedipus Analysis

The understanding of mortality as seen in the The Epic of Gilgamesh and the plays of Oedipus have a very significant role. By looking more closely at the travels of both Gilgamesh and Oedipus, one can identify at a greater level the individual culture's view of immortality. To begin with, one should examine the preparation of these characters in light of their circumstances. At the beginning of the epic, Gilgamesh is so engrossed with his own life that he does not have the foresight to see his own death as an actuality. Ironically, he was well acquainted with the concept of death – only with other creatures. After the death of his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh is struck with the reality of life that humans do indeed die. With desperation and mourning, Gilgamesh states the fact that, “'I am going to die!--am I not like Enkidu?!'”(p. 31). Gilgamesh sets out to find immortality, and his preparation is based on his knowledge of the
At the conclusion of the epic and the plays of Oedipus, there are very clear instances of immortality. Gilgamesh gains immortality by what he did for his city. As he said to Urshanabi the ferryman, “'Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly...”(p. 45). His immortality is found in his establishment of the city because he showed the culture how community living is beneficial. On the other hand, Oedipus achieves immortality through what the city did for him. As seen in Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus was quite literally at the bottom of the societal ladder. Then, at the lowest point of his existence, Oedipus was extended citizenship of Athens by its king. No longer was Oedipus a castaway, but rather he was divinized through hero cult at his burial place. Instead of dying the death of a vagrant wanderer, Oedipus ascended back to, and even past his previous status as king. He was exalted to the point of immortality because of the blessing given by King