Reflection Essay on Gilgamesh
Rudia Jung
Mielke
English 2 HP
February 5, 2013
Reflection on Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Mesopotamia about a king who changes his ways through friendship and self-realization. Gilgamesh, the Uruk king, transforms from a tyrannical despot to a man that appreciates his kingdom while on a journey to find immortality. Gilgamesh returns to his kingdom empty-handed, but still satisfied. He had come to the realization that he does not need immortality. He becomes content with what he has which is how the rest of the world should feel. Instead of being greedy to have more, you should be thankful for what you already have. You won’t have time to appreciate the little things that are already in your life if you are too busy chasing foolish desires. This applies to my own life because I am not an immortal being. Therefore, I must make a legacy for myself so that people for generations to come will remember me for what I have done. People in the same way should create goals for themselves to achieve in their lifetime. I cannot be the king that Gilgamesh was; however, I can make impactful friends like Gilgamesh’s friendship with Enkidu. Humankind should do the same and be kind to one another while here on Earth. Your friendship with others should be treasured because they do not last forever. We learn from this epic narrative that with a memorable life, you will have a better afterlife. This should motivate people to do better things in this world now so that they can have a better time after they are dead. Once dead, the things you have done on Earth are irreversible so we should be putting our best foot forward all the
Mielke
English 2 HP
February 5, 2013
Reflection on Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Mesopotamia about a king who changes his ways through friendship and self-realization. Gilgamesh, the Uruk king, transforms from a tyrannical despot to a man that appreciates his kingdom while on a journey to find immortality. Gilgamesh returns to his kingdom empty-handed, but still satisfied. He had come to the realization that he does not need immortality. He becomes content with what he has which is how the rest of the world should feel. Instead of being greedy to have more, you should be thankful for what you already have. You won’t have time to appreciate the little things that are already in your life if you are too busy chasing foolish desires. This applies to my own life because I am not an immortal being. Therefore, I must make a legacy for myself so that people for generations to come will remember me for what I have done. People in the same way should create goals for themselves to achieve in their lifetime. I cannot be the king that Gilgamesh was; however, I can make impactful friends like Gilgamesh’s friendship with Enkidu. Humankind should do the same and be kind to one another while here on Earth. Your friendship with others should be treasured because they do not last forever. We learn from this epic narrative that with a memorable life, you will have a better afterlife. This should motivate people to do better things in this world now so that they can have a better time after they are dead. Once dead, the things you have done on Earth are irreversible so we should be putting our best foot forward all the