The Epic of Gilgamesh and Contemporary Social Issues - Essay Example

The audience that the story can shape is a religious group in society. In religion, immortality is taught as an aspect of the deities which is supported by the epic story. Additionally, the ability of the deity to interact with the lives of humanity and cause changes in behavior and character is elaborated in the story with utmost clarity (Jastrow, Clay, and Tice, 65). The direct association of the deity with humanity is addressed in the use of characters, such as Enkidu, sent to help in solving a problem in the universe by the gods (Jastrow, Clay, and Tice, 32). The story emphasizes the philosophy or religion of the existence of divine action in human life.
The story presents several vital issues that affect contemporary society. In the story, the actions of the king of Uruk are still practiced in contemporary society but may have been transformed that they cannot be directly visible. First, the king is an oppressor and sex addict with no restraints. He uses forced labor and does not value justice. The case is not different in society because oppression still exists in different forms. Managers oppress the junior staff by giving them a lot of work, which is contemporary slavery. Some managers even solicit sexual favors from the employees to treat them better or give them promotions. Such contemporary behavior is directly related to the action of the king of Uruk, though the magnitude may be lower compared to the action in the story (Jastrow, Clay, and Tice, 22). The oppression in society is diverse and may take many forms compared to the form depicted in the story. Contemporary society has other types of oppression such as information limitation, educational elimination by use of grades, and selected preferential treatment of some members of the society. The government leaders are treated with care while the civilian is not given the necessary care.
Justice in society is one more factor affecting contemporary society. Social injustices exist that create the need for equity and require legalization to be done. Equity in resource sharing and usage is a common idea spread by the local leaders. Oppression and lack of justice in society can be evaluated using the events in the Epic of Gilgamesh plot (Jastrow, Clay, and Tice, 23). The desire of the gods to free the people of Uruk from the oppression of King Gilgamesh is the same approach used by humanity. Several human rights organizations have been developed to enforce the rights of the people. In addition, several legislations have been developed in contemporary society to facilitate the rights of the people. Currently, issues of gay rights, child rights, and women's rights are the focus of liberation and justice enforcement.
The concept of immortality is being used in contemporary society to depict supernatural characters or deities. Humanity longs for immortality; the longing is depicted in scientific movies produced touch on the ability to transform. Likewise, religion teaches immortality, which is a concept depicted in the book. Humans wish they could cheat death, but the achievement of the wish has been impossible. Despite the inability to achieve the wish, some religions, for instance, Christianity, have used the concept to develop the belief in the existence of heaven. Immortality is a concept that is realized in times of crisis such as death. During such times, religions teach of the transformation of the dead to supernatural and immortal beings. The concept is supported by the Epic of Gilgamesh in which the immortal gods plan the rescue of humanity (Jastrow, Clay, and Tice, 98). The existence of the two worlds is supported by many other religious beliefs in contemporary society.
The sexual addiction of King Gilgamesh is a factor that affects justice. Temperance in all things is not present in the story, just as it is not available in contemporary society.  The obsession with beauty for women and consequently the admiration of women by men is prevalent in contemporary society. Today several addictions exist in society, such as an addiction to shopping and fashion, which may lead to depression and poor health. In conclusion, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a story covering almost all the contemporary issues in society because it deals with behavior beliefs and culture.