Utnapishtim Replies

 Humanity has never been able to stay the same for very long, and is constantly evolving. Since the beginning of time, humans and their lifestyles, environments, and cultures have been changing and adapting to these new situations. This concept is most accurately summed up by Utnapishtim when he tells the anxious Gilgamesh “There is no permanence.” This notion of impermanence would continue on for all of eternity. But what does living in impermanence even mean? When looking back at human history, no two eras or time periods are too similar; advancements within technology, society, politics, and more help to rapidly change the environment we exist in, therefore affecting the cultural and social reactions that spring up in the wake of such events. Take the beginning of human history, for example; we were once nomadic hunter-gatherers who roamed entire continents, having no one place to settle down. Our food supply was obtained on a day to day basis, and groups of natives traveled along their food source. This changed relatively quickly, and within a short time civilizations were popping up, changing human life forever. They now lived in permanent communities, and could store a surplus of food for longer periods of time. The advent of civilizations brought all things modern: agriculture, beer, specialized tradesmen, a written language, class system, and so much more. This is obviously a huge change in their way of life, and these small civilizations eventually grew to huge empires, another change in lifestyle.The longer these civilizations existed, the advanced they became, in all aspects of their life. This trend occurs all throughout history: people begin to get comfortable with the established way of life, when it begins to change again. It is natural for humans to resist change, and this shifting environment does little to help that uneasiness. Humanity has constantly been at odds with each other, and humans are each other's own worst enemy. We have a constant need to prove our own superiority, and we always want what others have; a great example of this is the Space Race- the U.S. government had no previous intention of traveling to the moon until Soviets beat them to space with a satellite. We just had to one up them. Additionally, battles over land and wealth have been present all throughout history, and modern day terror groups still seek power and dominance over others.  However, life is constantly changing in a more conceptual and individual way as well. 

    Peoples’ identities are always minorly evolving and shifting, depending on their life experiences. We cannot always control the events we are faced with, but we can control how we respond, which is something Gilgamesh seems to struggle with. He professes his uncertainty about what to do next, exclaiming “. . . my brother whom I loved, the end of mortality has overtaken him. I wept for him seven days and nights till the worm fastened on him. Because of my brother I am afraid of death; because of my brother I stray through the wilderness. His fate lies heavy upon me. How can I be silent, how can I rest? He is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the Earth forever.” This confused despair expressed is not unique to just Gilgamesh however- major events or losses can have this depressing effect on people even today, leaving them unsure about where to go from there. Whether it’s a major experience like the death of a loved one, or something far more minor such as a bad test score, nearly everything that happens around people affects who they are, or their idea of who they are; and when this image of themselves becomes apparently different, it can be uncomfortable to say the least. Humans are left wondering what the meaning of life is, if it is just so full of change and sorrow, having nothing permanent. I believe the answer to this includes several aspects, but mostly it is made up of having a sense of purpose and belonging. This sounds ironic, in a world where nothing stays the same, but it has been said that happiness is a choice; it takes work to make yourself cozy in the life you have and to feel like you fit in. At the end of the day, a feeling of belonging can make one feel more comfortable and confident in their environment, and purpose will give them the drive to get through the uncomfortable days. However, what do we do when we have neither?

It’s been established that life is constantly changing and unpredictably unstable. However, the one thing that stays stable, I believe, are relationships. Although keeping a consistent, solid relationship with someone takes time and effort, I believe experiencing such a bond with someone on a daily basis helps to add structure and order to our lives. Caring about one's family, friends, or significant others give us something to live for, and bring us happiness; having these positive influences in our lives encourage us to push past what troubling scenario we’re currently involved in, and help us to realize not everything in our lives is changing or unstable. Much like having a sense of belonging and purpose, having healthy relationships helps one cope with reality better. These people we love are more than just characters in our lives, and each one has a profound impact on us; seeing them each day or a simple conversation can aid in grounding a person, as that relationship is something consistent in one's life that remains stable among all the change. With all the things that shift around us, it’s comforting to have a few aspects that act as an escape from life’s confusion. This stability is what humans yearn for, as the beginning of each new day is a surprise; it is naive to expect to follow the same routine each day, or to think you will never experience a tragedy. It is impossible to know what is coming on each day that rises, except the people you have chosen to keep by your side. Gilgamesh shows us several examples of this beneficial relationship, the most prominent being his mother. Before Enkidu and him embark on their long and perilous journey, they visit Ninsun, mother of Gilgamesh, to seek knowledge and advice. Gilgamesh’s mother provides his mind some peace, by giving him advice and blessings. He and Enkidu take off towards Humbaba, fueled by their mother’s support. Most relationships today have this key component of encouraging each other to grow as individuals, and helping each other be successful. This consistent stream of positivity, sometimes more noticeable than others, is what keeps order in one's life, and what gives meaning to one's life.

As humans struggle through this journey called life, they are not sure of anything. The world is constantly changing around them, and it is impossible to know what will remain and what will go; in this confusion, humans must attempt to make meaning of their lives, by relying on each other and their environment, and finding their purpose and a sense of belonging. Humanity has seen it’s fair share of struggles and hardships, but that does not mean all hope is lost. Together, humans can get through anything.