Definition of epic (Reid):"A long narrative poem about a hero's struggle with his destiny.
The epic derives from Sumerian oral tradition dating to ca. 2000 BCE. It was told and retold for centuries. Our version is from Akkadian cuneiform tablets, 7th c. BCE. .
Gilgamesh is a true ruler who was king of Uruk around 2600 BCE. Uruk is a Sumerian city founded around 3500. .
The narrative begins with Gilgamesh, the best and brightest in the city of Uruk, running rampant with antisocial and violent behavior against men and women. The g-ds create Enkidu, the hairy wildman, to provide a counterweight. They fight, become friends, and perform heroic exploits such as the slaughter of Humbaba, the forest demon. This great exploit attracts Ishtar, who proposes marriage. Gilgamesh spurns the g-ddess because of her treatment of her past lovers. Ishtar asks the g-ds to give her retribution by having the two heroes attacked by the Bull of the Sun. They kill it, which angers the sun, who requires the death of Enkidu as expiation of property damage.
The major issue treated is mortality. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh leaves in search of an answer for mortality. The advice of Siduri, the divine barmaid (Reid p. 17), to enjoy life, is too naive for Gilgamesh:.
"Gilgamesh, whither rovest thou? The life thou pursuest thou shalt not findÉ Let full be thy belly. Make thou merry by day and by night. Of each day make thou a feast of rejoicing. Day and night dance thou and play! Let thy garments be sparkling fresh. Pay heed to the little one that holds on to thy hand. Let thy spouse delight in thy bosom. For this is the task of mankind!-.
For Gilgamesh, everyday life is soured by the realization that he, too, will die:.
"Why should not my cheeks be starved and my face drawn? Despair is in my heart. My brother whom I loved, the end of mortality has overtaken him. Because of my brother I am afraid of death. How can I be silent, how can I rest? He is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the earth forever.