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Theme Of Immortality In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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Theme Of Immortality In The Epic Of Gilgamesh
(Claim) In the epic Gilgamesh, the hero Gilgamesh learns that immortality is unattainable for him and he gains wisdom because of his journey. (Evidence #1) At first, when Gilgamesh is adamant about contradicting mortality Utnapishtim (the mortal that turned into a god) brings forth a test to Gilgamesh and says, “I will show you that, like all human beings, you are weak… I want you to… stay awake for seven nights and six days” (212). (Warrant #1) Gilgamesh then flunks Utnapishtim’s test, consequently forcing Gilgamesh to accept that he is weak. Seeing that he can not defeat sleep, let alone death. (Evidence #2) Gilgamesh, right after knowing he has failed the test presented to him previously, fears death. In his own words, “the robber of death
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