he heroic Gilgamesh, who slew the Celestial Bull and the terrible Humbaba, is now afraid of mere lions? This shows that Gilgameshs heroicism was undertaken without any real understanding of the consequences. Now that he knows the harsh reality of death, he sees it everywhere. But, a fellow like Gilgamesh cant sit around for long. He takes a journey, this time not to slay some menacing demon beast (that could get him killed!), but rather to understand the problem of Life and Death. The first thing he must do is endure the irony of the Road of the Sun, the passage through the mountains where no light reaches. This is the dark night of the soul, a journey through the very depth of sorrow. Dense was the darkness, light there was none. Neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see. Here time dissolves and one is truly alone. It is through just such an ordeal of darkness that one discovers the spark of life still burns within. Though it be in deep pain and sadness...I will go on. Gilgamesh expresses the great resiliency of life. He continues on to put his question before Utanapishtim.Utanapishtim chides Gilgamesh, showing how his morbid fascination is a self fulfilling prophecy. For how long do we build a household?...For how long do brothers share the inheritance? How could anything get done if people thought only of the inevitable destruction of that which they produce? For how long could humanity maintain their bond with one another, knowing they will be torn apart? For how long has the river risen and brought the overflowing waters? Utanapishtim is reminding Gilgamesh that though things must fade away, like the rivers in Winter, they also must return, though always a little different. He then recounts the Story of the Flood to elucidate this point. Mankind was once wiped out on earth, but they cover it once again. Utanapishtim then, very cleverly, gives Gilgamesh a chance at immortality, provided he does not sleep for seve...
