For ever and ever

The Epic of Gilgamesh’s commentary on human nature divulges that the search for preservation, be it through flesh or legacy, is constantly present in the thoughts and actions of mortals everywhere. Gilgamesh initially fears that his legacy won’t live on forever, spurring him into quests for fame and glory. He fondly imagines his people praising his name and telling the tales of his epic deeds to their children, immortalizing him through his actions. Later after witnessing the death of Enkindu, Gilgamesh takes his goal a step further, trying to preserve his life forever in addition to his legacy. This leads him to search for eternal life, which he ultimately finds to be unobtainable.
Many other famed figures tried and failed to gain eternal existences through a number of methods. Pharaohs built their tombs not as places of rest, but as monuments to their lives and reign. Chinese emperors unknowingly drank poison thinking it would extend their fragile lives. Even Voldemort went through many tribulations trying to stay in power forever. On a metaphysical level, many religions promise eternal life in paradise for living moral lives and proper worship. Gilgamesh clearly was not alone in his desire to live forever. And though his story, the authors express an important and inexplicable element of human nature.