Summary of the Epic of Gilgamesh
In case it might be helpful, here is a very brief summary of the four main sections of this epic below:
Creation and civilization of Enkidu : Gilgamesh is powerful and arrogant so gods create his equal at the behest of praying humans: Enkidu. He begins totally uncivilized and they fight. Gilgamesh wins and they fight but become fast friends!
Quest for fame through deeds of prowess. This includes an episode in which Gilgamesh rejects the goddess Ishtar and she sends the Bull of Heaven in retribution. Enkidu and Gilgamesh kill it.
Enkidu's death. Enkidu dies after gods give him a sickness for killing Bull of Heaven; Gilgamesh laments.
Quest for Immortality. Gilgamesh travels in search of immortality to find Upnaptishtim and his wife, the survivors of the great flood and the only mortals to whom immortality has been granted. He fails the “test” that would give him immortality, but is given a “runner up” prize at the wife's urging: a plant that returns one's youth. Sadly, it is eaten by a snake at a well's edge. Gilgamesh returns home empty-handed. The epic ends with the praising the walls of Uruk.
Creation and civilization of Enkidu : Gilgamesh is powerful and arrogant so gods create his equal at the behest of praying humans: Enkidu. He begins totally uncivilized and they fight. Gilgamesh wins and they fight but become fast friends!
Quest for fame through deeds of prowess. This includes an episode in which Gilgamesh rejects the goddess Ishtar and she sends the Bull of Heaven in retribution. Enkidu and Gilgamesh kill it.
Enkidu's death. Enkidu dies after gods give him a sickness for killing Bull of Heaven; Gilgamesh laments.
Quest for Immortality. Gilgamesh travels in search of immortality to find Upnaptishtim and his wife, the survivors of the great flood and the only mortals to whom immortality has been granted. He fails the “test” that would give him immortality, but is given a “runner up” prize at the wife's urging: a plant that returns one's youth. Sadly, it is eaten by a snake at a well's edge. Gilgamesh returns home empty-handed. The epic ends with the praising the walls of Uruk.