Gilgamesh is a king with super powers but he has a somewhat arrogant personality. He is initially content in life and in power with his best friend by his side, but when Enkidu, his closest friend, dies. After this event, the first thing he fears in life is death. The death of his close friend Enkidu affected Gilgamesh in many ways and this is where he journeys to seek immortality. Gilgamesh has to battle through difficult journeys to finally reach Utnapishtim, who survived the flood and lived for eternity. The author of the poem develops an initial understanding of immortality in which the reader is easily influenced to fear death and also to seek immortality. Gilgamesh, as a king, had a purpose in life and this is where his life begins to make sense as he becomes a part of legacy. This is where man fears death and seeks immortality, but Gilgamesh has to ultimately come to terms with this fear of death. Gilgamesh died and yet was not immortal; he has to come to a realization and understand his limits as a human being and learn to accept it. The death of Enkidu was the real fear that caused Gilgamesh to seek immortality. In my own opinion, man does fear death and he will always seek meaning in life.