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The Ancients
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality
Feb 8, 2024
In this episode, Dr Sophus Helle discusses Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and his encounters with the mysterious sage Ut-napishtim. They explore Enkidu's prophetic dream and deathbed visions, the purpose of sermons, and the climax of the epic. They also delve into the journey of Gilgamesh as he seeks the plant of youth and the themes of storytelling and wisdom in the ending.
37:46
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Quick takeaways
- The Epic of Gilgamesh explores profound themes of death and grief, depicting Enkidu's prophetic dream revealing the inevitability of death and Gilgamesh's quest for immortality as a reflection on the nature of death itself.
- Throughout the epic, the importance of storytelling and wisdom emerges as significant themes, showcasing the power of storytelling as a form of immortality and the pursuit of wisdom through ancient tales passed down through generations.
Deep dives
Gilgamesh's quest for immortality
In this episode, the second half of the epic of Gilgamesh is explored. Enkidu has a prophetic dream that he must die, revealing that the adventures and victories of Gilgamesh and Enkidu were not blessed by the gods. Gilgamesh initially tries to appease the gods through offerings, but soon realizes that Enkidu's fate is inevitable. Enkidu dies, and Gilgamesh mourns deeply, questioning his own identity and purpose. He embarks on a quest to find immortality, seeking knowledge from Utnapishti, the only known figure who has achieved immortality. Gilgamesh hears the story of the cataclysmic flood from Utnapishti and learns that he cannot achieve physical immortality. However, he gains wisdom and storytelling abilities. The epic concludes with Gilgamesh returning to Uruk and narrating his own story, gaining a form of immortality through his written legacy.
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