Meaning of Life (in account to Gilgamesh’s story)
Long time ago, when I was perhaps in 4th grade, to the teacher’s question about the meaning of life one of my classmates answered that the meaning of life for him is establishing a monument. Certainly different values are perceived by many people, and this little child’s perception does not differ much from anyone else’s. Life is meaningful when one’s works and personal growth and transformation are recognized by others in a way of honor and appreciation. The same growth and transformation we perceive in the story of Gilgamesh.
The main character in the beginning is indifferent, uncompassionate to the people under his rule, and is spoiled in a way of being at the low state of personal growth that causes damage to the society in the way of disregarding the morality. Each personal growth starts with the lesson that must to be learnt.
The transformation begins with meeting a person of different background, perceptions and attitudes.
Having a close relationship is a pretty common component of the meaning of life, since it brings a feeling of care and compassion to the individual, whose soul would be empty without this and would not transform much to the desirable state by moral standards. Loosing a close and dear person makes this feeling even stronger and viable, but brings pain and suffering to the soul. Therefore, a rhetoric issue of choice follows between being happy but morally not developed or transforming into a moral human being but experience suffering and pain. Pretty often life makes this choice for us and it is the matter of how we act in regard to the meaning that life or God delegates to our existence.
In the case of Gilgamesh society played an important role in shaping his personality. The transformation of Gilgamesh’s personality was vital for this particular society and partially became the meaning of their lives. Each person has meaning of his/her life and everyone can work and cooperate in the achievement of life meaning by other individuals. Gilgamesh was saved from the moral failure and, therefore, a breakthrough to a better living and healthier relationships in that particular society followed. The transformation of the whole society follows after one is being transformed.
To conclude, everyone perceives the meaning of life according to their individual perspectives and attitudes. What I can say is that meeting and having people, who can teach and transform one in a way of moral growth, adds to the meaning of life a lot. The role of individual in this case is to accept these God’s gifts and being open to the new feelings that are to be taught by these people. Life is a long-term lesson and individual’s role is to learn as much as possible and to direct this knowledge to the spiritual and material wealth of the society even though it does not bring much fun to him or her. I perceive this is the meaning of life for every individual as in regard to Gilgamesh’s story of transformation and learning.
Tags: life, meaning, purpose., relationship
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May 14, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I agree that person wont find much satisfaction in his life if he will be concerned and focus only on himself not seeing and searching for ways to be of help to others around him.
May 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm
The Problem of life and death always worried the mankind. But for the first time in world history its was been shown at Epic Poetry, and it will continue at future.