Final answer:
Gilgamesh wants to find Utnapishtim to learn the secret of eternal life, driven by his excessive ambition, which represents his character flaw. His quest reflects deep themes of the human condition and the inevitability of mortality. Ultimately, the failure of his quest humbles him, resulting in his growth as a wiser king.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gilgamesh, the protagonist of the ancient Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, embarks on a quest to find Utnapishtim in order to learn the secret of eternal life. This pursuit highlights a significant character flaw in Gilgamesh: his excessive ambition. His desire for immortality is driven by his encounter with death, specifically the death of his close companion Enkidu, which makes him confront his own mortality. The epic depicts this quest as a philosophical exploration of the human condition and the universal concern over the inevitability of death.
Gilgamesh's flaw is a common theme in literature; it is akin to the Greek concept of 'hamartia,' which describes a hero's tragic flaw leading to their downfall. In Gilgamesh's case, his excessive ambition not only makes him face numerous trials but ultimately leads to his failure in achieving immortality. The serpent taking away the source of everlasting life from Gilgamesh symbolizes the unattainable nature of his quest and serves to humble him, leading him to accept the reality of life and death. As a result, Gilgamesh returns to Uruk as a wiser and better king, having learned from his experiences.