Themes of the Epic of Gilgamesh Many themes are incorporated into the plot of Gilgamesh. These include three very important concepts: death is inevitable, immortality is unattainable, and friendship is a necessity. One of the main themes of the epic is that death is inevitable, as is shown through the death of Enkidu. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh becomes very worried, because he realizes for the first time that everyone will die at some point in time. The fact that Enkidu is a close friend makes it even more visible to Gilgamesh that everyone is mortal. Then, along with this realization comes the topic of denial. Gilgamesh doesn't want to accept the fact that he will die. He denies the truth, because he doesn't want to think about the truth or face the tragedy that has befallen him. «And he-he doesn't lift his head. 'I touched his heart, it doesn't beat'" (Table VIII, Column II, 15-16). "'I! Shall I not also die like Enkidu? Sorrow has entered my belly. I fear death; I wander through the hills. I will take the road; soon I will go to the house of Utnapishtim, descendant of Ubaratutu. I at night approach the entrance of the mountain. I see the lions, and I am terrified I raise my head to pray to the god of mood Sin: For...a dream I go to the gods in prayer: ...preserve me '" (Table IX, Column I, 3-12). The theme of the inevitability of death leads to another theme, similar to the first. This is that immortality is unattainable, demonstrated through examples similar to the first theme. Gilgamesh realizes that immortality is unattainable after seeking it. He discovers that the search was futile, because he will die regardless of the steps to prevent his death in the future. “'Never did mortal man do this, Gilgamesh'” (Tablet IX, Column III, 8). "'The fate of men has touched him... For fear of death I wander through the desert... Shouldn't I lie down like him, never to move again?'" (Table X, Column II, 3, 8, 13-14). "'From the beginning there is no permanence'" (Table X, Column VI, 32).