Gilgamesh (Book IX-Book XI)

      Books nine through eleven encompass the climax and ending of the epic. In book nine Gilgamesh responds to Enkidu's death with fear. He is terrified of dying even to the point of looking for ways to become immortal. Eventually Gilgamesh arrives at Twin Peaks. This area of land is guarded by the scorpion people. These people tell him how to get through Twin Peaks, but also inform him of the dangers. By going through these mountains Gilgamesh will be able to visit Utnapishtim. This man is the only known human being that became immortal. The tunnel that runs through these mountains is pitch black all around. The epic makes sure to repeat this idea numerous times throughout the selection. Gilgamesh is able to make it through the tunnel barely in the nick of time. He was forced to run for 12 hours straight in full darkness.
        Book X introduces the character of Shiduri, a tavern-keeper. She owns an establishment on the other side of the mountain for all those brave souls who make it through the peaks. Interestingly enough, every time Gilgamesh introduces himself he starts with the same two lines but adds different facts and ideas to the end. Shiduri is a honest character. She blatantly tells Gilgamesh the ridiculousness of  his journey and how he should feel blessed for all that he has in his life. Shiduri also tells Gilgamesh about Urshanabi, who is the only one to cross the water in order to see Utnapishtim. After destroying Urshanabi's crew Gilgamesh is obliged to help him return to the other side of the ocean. Once on land Utnapishtim starts talking to Gilgamesh with the same passage that Shiduri began her introduction. Ironically enough Gilgamesh has the same lengthy response. Utnapishtim is able to explain to Gilgamesh the preciousness of life and how he needs to quit grieving. Both Utnapishtim and Shiduri remind me of Rafiki in The Lion King. They give Gilgamesh wisdom to be used in his life, but like Simba it takes Gilgamesh some hard love to fully understand.
     In Book XI Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of how his wife and him became immortal. The story is almost exactly like that of the Great Flood story in the Bible. After the story Utnapishtim challenges Gilgamesh with how he will bring the gods into council for his immortality. When Gilgamesh has no solid answer, Utnapishtim gives him test to prove that he can outwit death. Sleeping is the closest to death a mortal being can come to, thus Utnapishtim wants Gilgamesh to stay awake for seven days. After having traveled so far Gilgamesh falls fast asleep right when he sits down. This piece of text is rather important amongst the ideals of the epic. In the beginning Gilgamesh was known for going days without sleeping. It is only after having experienced such companionship and desperation that Gilgamesh becomes weary of his human burden. After sleeping for seven straight days Gilgamesh wakes up to defeat. Utnapishtim has Urshanabi clean Gilgamesh up to look like a king. For all of his hardships Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh of a secret plant that will give him youth. After going through the trouble of finding the plant, it is stolen by a snake.

http://exilioss.blogspot.com/2012/03/epic-of-gilgamesh-mesopotamia.html

This imagery alludes to that of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The story ends with Gilgamesh introducing the city of Uruk  to Urshanabi. This presentation references back to the prologue helping the reader to make a full circle of the story.