Abstract
This paper examines the epic of "Gilgamesh" and focuses on how it deals with immortality on many levels, and at the same time points back to mortality, trying to discover a reason for living and dying. It discusses how the story put over the message that life is only significant because it is limited, and a life of immortality would ultimately be worse.

From the Paper
"Unlike in the physical world, immortality is regarded as typical of Gilgamesh's spiritual world. This does not appear to be entirely true, through. When the Bull of Heaven is sent to Uruk from the gods, Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay it by stabbing a sword into the Bull's neck. If the Bull of Heaven is a god, then clearly the gods can be killed. Later the story describes a flood-weapon that gods are actually fearful of, maybe because it could bring about their death. This makes an interesting distinction between immortality and invincibility; although life might continue forever if left alone, it is not necessarily incapable of being stopped. "

Tags:mortality, Enkidu, death, rebirth

Abstract
This paper reviews "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The paper discusses the problematic issue of the paradox between mortality and immortality as being inconsistently represented in regards to the title of Mary Shelley's short story. The paper argues that the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story.

From the Paper
"This literary study will examine the theme of immortality in "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley. The problem of age is a critical error in this tale, as immortality implies a deathless state for the main character. Shelley does not provide an accurate depiction of how immortality is a possibility in the text, since many of her descriptions of time do not correspond with a personality that could possibly exist beyond the realm of death. In essence, the problematic theme of immortality is not rationally explained within the characters history and timelines Shelley's main character describes in this short story. Shelley, in the beginning of her short story provides a first person narrative that defines the age of her main character in relation to the ageless myth of the "Wandering Jew." "

Tags:shelley, mortal, immortal

Abstract
The paper compares the texts "The Odyssey" by ancient Greek writer Homer, with "Gilgamesh", an old Babylonian epic poem written by an anonymous author. This paper makes the claim that the gods in "Gilgamesh" and "The Odyssey" are not perfect. They are less flawed, however, than the human characters present in both novels. It also discusses the differences between polytheism and monotheism. Several specific examples are given from each story to support this claim.

From the Paper
"Polytheism is a norm in the everyday life of Eurydice. He lives in ancient Rome and never thinks twice about worshiping the almighty Zeus, Athena, and all the rest of his gods. After all, how could one god possibly possess all the traits that these gods have, and possess them to perfection? One can take the view that man created the gods of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey in his own image or in an image thought much greater. No matter which of the two, the image of these gods in Gilgamesh and The Odyssey was truly fashioned by man, and man is imperfect. Man is imperfect in thought and in action. Therefore, the gods of these two stories must be flawed as well. Nevertheless, despite a few flaws, the gods' characters and actions are certainly nobler and less suspect than those of either Gilgamesh or Odysseus."

Tags:athena, christian, enkidu, humbaba, odysseus, poseidon, religion, troy, utnapishtim, zeus

Abstract
The paper examines Mary Shelley's haunting short story, "The Mortal Immortal" that is a grim tale about a man given immortal youth who finds that his boon has really become a prison from which he cannot escape. The writer chose this short story because it captures better than most the unforeseen consequences of human impulsivity.

From the Paper
"Winzy - furious at the coquettish nature of his fickle love - drinks his master's elixir in the expectation that it will cure him of loving her evermore. Instead, he discovers that he has been more cursed than blessed: by taking the elixir, the hapless assistant Winzy makes himself a monster among men who is unable to establish meaningful relationships with other human beings because they are ephemeral and prone to the vicissitudes of nature while he never grows old."

Tags:response, mortal, immortal

Abstract
"The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne and "The Mortal Immortal" by Mary Shelley are stories that deal with mystery and love. The predominant theme in each story focuses on the dangers of unexplored science. Additionally, both authors employ elements setting, mood, plot, and character to enhance their themes. This paper examines how Hawthorne and Shelley use these techniques to craft incredible stories.

From the Paper
"Additionally each plot centers on the hope that a mysterious elixir will improve one's place in life. Aylmer is convinced that he can correct what nature made imperfect by removing Georgiana's birthmark. He becomes so obsessed with it that Georgiana has little choice in the matter. Similarly, Wenzy is provoked by the "Jealousy, with all its venom, and all its misery that consumed him" (Shelley). The pursuits of science and the false promise of the future heavily influence both situations. "

Tags:Aylmer, Winzy, Georgiana

Abstract
This paper examines how the epic "Gilgamesh" is irrefutably a multifaceted tale of a villain turned hero whose story is equal in tragedy and fortune. The paper explains thtat "Gilgamesh" deviates from the expected fairy-tale endings of typical hero epics and often surprises the reader with a perplexing change of events. In particular, the paper discusses how the walls of Uruk represent a range of symbols throughout the epic including signifiers of beginning and endings in a cycle, as well as mortality and immortality to Gilgamesh.

From the Paper
"Throughout the epic, a recurring motif emerged as a significant underlying concept. Cyclical patterns or general cycles were emphasized and repeated on several occasions, namely appearing as the beginning and ending of an event in conjunction with the chronic wall motif. For example, at the beginning of Gilgamesh and Enkidu's friendship (as well as their expeditions together), the pair journeyed to the Cedar forest to kill its formidable guardian and seize his illustrious trees for the construction of a great wall to surround Uruk. The duo completed their daunting task only to be condemned and doomed for punishment for disgracing the gods. Enkidu's life (and further journeys with Gilgamesh) is proclaimed to be ceased as penalty for the pair's misdeeds. Upon learning of his imminent death, Enkidu cursed the gods, and others who had contributed to his fate, but more significantly, he cursed the wall. "

Tags:Enkidu, mortality

Abstract
This paper describes Plato's explanation of immortality and concept of the soul as expressed in his work, "Phaedo". The paper examines what Socrates defines as immortal and explores the notion of humans as being divine. This paper then discusses Socrates theory of knowledge with that of the ability of the soul to reincarnate or develop outside of the natural world.

From the Paper
"The soul then, according to the previous statement is created in the divine will, and since divinity cannot be defined through the corporeal, the body must be mortal, and therefore finite. The soul on the other hand is infinite. The soul is the image of divinity; in the soul there is found an unceasing existence of transformation. The reasonable man must then accept the dichotomy of the body and soul, as well as accept their harmony he must distance the idea that the body and the soul are one. The body is mortal, and can succumb to dissolution, but according to Socrates, the soul is indissoluble."

Tags:mortal, soul, plato, death, immortality, god, divinity

Abstract
This paper provides an essay that argues T'ao Yuan-ming's poem "Substance, Shadow, and Spirit" is a philosophical treatise designed to help human beings find some comfort faced with the fear and anxiety stirred up by their own confrontation with mortality.

From the Paper
"The pre-T'ang poet, T'ao Yuan-ming, lived in a time of uncertainty in Chinese society and his poetry often reflects the unease and anxiety that beset society during his time. The poem "Substance, Shadow and Spirit" focuses on man's inevitable confrontation with his own mortal nature although it offers some form of hope against the fact that we all die. Watson said of Yuan-ming's work; "There is an overall ambiguity to his poetry-exclamation upon the beauties of nature and the freedom and peace of...""

Tags:Taoism, Confucianism, worldly concerns, immortality, wine, hedonism, moral virtue, reputation, nature, acceptance

Abstract
There are many similarities between Gilgamesh, the legendary Babylonian king, and Odysseus, the Greek warrior famous for his cunning and fortitude. The paper shows that both characters' stories are told in poetic epics ("The Epic of Gilgamesh" by an anonymous author and ancient Greek writer, Homer's "The Odyssey"). The paper shows how both characters are engaged in quests - Gilgamesh, who is partially divine, does not wish to die and searches for a way to achieve immortality, whilst Odysseus is fully human and even rejects an offer of immortality in order to continue his struggle to return home after the end of the Trojan war. Both epics also feature the interference of the gods who encourage, assist, or thwart the two heroes and debate among themselves about the courses they should take in regard to the relatively insignificant human beings. The paper shows that the endings of the two epics are different--as might be expected from the differences in the two characters' goals. However, the basic themes of the endings have much more in common than might be expected. Gilgamesh is eventually convinced that immortality is something reserved for the gods. His partially mortal parentage means that he must die and that he should, therefore, take pleasure and pride in what is best about life rather than worrying about living forever. The paper shows that Odysseus is also intent on restoring order by returning home and in doing so, he makes the best of life, accepting fate and eventual death.

From the Paper
"The episodes involving the offers of the goddesses also provide similarities and differences. In the case of Gilgamesh Ishtar "looked with longing" on his beauty and begged him to be her "bridegroom" (6.6-7). But Gilgamesh boldly rejected her, despite the list of beautiful things that she promised him, because he was aware of the sad histories of all the men and animals that she had taken for her lovers in the past. In the case of Calypso and Odysseus, however, the goddess is not accused of falseness and her offers of everything wonderful are quite serious. She does indeed want Odysseus to remain with her forever and makes the offer of immortality. He would be ageless and would "preside in our house with me / and be immortal"."

Tags:Humbaba, Cyclops, Ishtar, Calypso, Enkidu

Abstract
This paper uses five early lyrical poems to illustrate the various cultural and historical influences on early lyrical poets, particularly romantic love/sexual desire, mortality/immortality, nature and religion.

From the Paper
"Early lyrical poetry is rich in historical and cultural influence from pastoral settings and themes to sexual desire. One of the biggest cultural influences on early lyrical poetry appears to be romance/sexual desire, while one of the most repeated historical influences appears to be man's preoccupation with mortality/immortality. This analysis will illustrate these major influences in early lyrical poetry in five poems; "Living in Truth and Fain in Verse My Love to Show Philip Sidney", "The Passionate Shepherd to His..."..."

Tags:Shakespeare, Donne, Marlowe, Sidney, pastoral, death