Essay/Term paper: Immortality

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Position Papers

Immortality - (a) the quality or state of being immortal. (b) never ending existence.
Although that is the Webster definition of immortality, what is never-ending existence?
That question has a different answer for everyone. Some people believe that never-ending
existence happens by never physically dying, and others believe that immortality can be
obtained through your children. I personally feel that your children cannot give you
immortality nowadays because of all the influences outside of the home. What I mean by
this is that children are not striving to be "chips of the old blocks" anymore. They spend
more time with their friends, or watching, TV, or listening to music, not following their
parents around. To become immortal, you must either live forever, which is not very
likely, or do something that is historically noteworthy like George Washington, or Abe
Lincoln.

Gilgamesh is an epic story about our hero Gilgamesh, and for a short time, his
friend Enkidu. In the beginning Enkidu is one which animals; Later, however, he and
Gilgamesh fight and become close friends. Together, they fought wars, and ruled the city.
Eventually, the goddess of war asked Gilgamesh to marry her but he refused, making her
very angry. She retaliates by sending the bull of heaven down to attack Gilgamesh and
Enkidu. In the battle, they killed the bull, but Enkidu injured his hand; he eventually died
from his wound. After Enkidu died, Gilgamesh went on a quest for immortality.

Gilgamesh was trying to find immortality for both Enkidu and Himself. After
gilgamesh got the "immortality" plant and scratched himself with it he was bathing and a
snake ate the plant. As soon as that happened Gilgamesh started to cry. Since he had
already used the plant on himself, it was evident that he still wanted the plant for Enkidu.
Another example occurred during Gilgameshes conversation with the boatman. The
boatman asked Gilgamesh to discuss his story about Enkidu. Gilgamesh said "Don"t ask
me to retell my pain, I only want to bring him back to life."
Gilgamesh never received the immortality he was searching for, but he got
immortality of a different kind. When he returned to his people he ruled differently,
kindly. Because he changed his evil ways of ruling, he will be lived on through the fond
memories his subjects will have of him.