Are humans inherently imperfect? Is there something fundamentally flawed in human nature? These questions were asked by philosophers as early as 2000 BCE, when the first book ever written, Gilgamesh, was transcribed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Gilgamesh is an epic poem written by the Sumerians and eventually translated into other languages ​​in the 1900s. The epic tells the story of Gilgamesh, a man who is ⅔ god and ⅓ human. He reigns as king of Uruk and hero of the epic. The poem delves into the transformative journeys he experiences, through love, death and heartbreak. Gilgamesh, as a character, although powerful and strong, struggles with some of the greatest tragic human flaws in the story; he is arrogant, selfish and greedy. This type of character is the mirror of the imperfections of humanity. According to Gilgamesh, the human condition is defined by our flaws. This poem expresses the imperfect nature of humanity through Gilgamesh's excessive pride, taking his friend for granted, and his desire for immortality. Gilgamesh's pride is presented as a fatal flaw and one that leads Gilgamesh to make harmful decisions that lead to his downfall. The concept of excessive pride can be identified when Gilgamesh believes he can kill Humbaba, a powerful protector of the gods, without any repercussions. Gilgamesh is a divine man who never lets death discourage him. His unwavering pride is evident when he sets out to kill Humbaba, a clearly formidable enemy, described as the "Bad One", a dangerous giant and nature deity, known for killing all who enter his forest. This attack is completely unprovoked, since Gilgamesh decides to do it simply because he can. Although many are aware of the peril that Humbaba will pose to Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh declares: “I will fight Humbaba, / I will cut down his cedars…. I can’t wait and I can’t wait long.” Gilgamesh says this in defiance of those who tell him he will fail, which highlights his casual mindset in the face of danger. He even goes against the warnings of his friend Enkidu, who once lived in the forest and knows intimately the danger Humbaba poses. Gilgamesh's childish desire to prove his power and assert his dominance over the gods blinds him from the truth of the dangerous situation he creates not only for himself but also for Enkidu. As Gilgamesh and Enkidu attack Humbaba, Enkidu suffers a serious injury which ultimately leads to his death. Gilgamesh's decision to attack Humbaba, and the ultimate consequences, draws an analogy to a fundamental flaw that resides in humanity: dangerous and exorbitant pride. Another flaw that humanity exhibits is a tendency to take others for granted. It is the mistake of many to not appreciate our loved ones when they are among us. This concept is presented in Gilgamesh as Gilgamesh's best friend Enkidu dies from an injury caused by a powerful giant. His death leaves Gilgamesh sinking into grief and sadness. The narrator expresses what Gilgamesh feels when he writes: “Hovering around his lips/Or arguing to haunt/The memory of what was left unsaid,/Until we learn to accept the silence…” (Mason 54). This quote highlights the feelings Gilgamesh experiences during his time of mourning for his friend. The narrator demonstrates the universal human feeling of regret over the loss of a loved one. Regret is equated with the things Gilgamesh will never be able to say to Enkidu while he is alive, and the appreciation he has for Enkidu who?