Final answer:
Gilgamesh is portrayed as grief-stricken after Enkidu's death, leading to his quest for immortality. His journey ultimately makes him a wiser king upon returning to Uruk.
Step-by-step explanation:
As Gilgamesh mourns the loss of Enkidu in The Epic of Gilgamesh, he is described as grief-stricken and overwhelmed by the realization of his own mortality. The text illustrates Gilgamesh's anguish and his subsequent quest for immortality, a journey that leads him to understand and accept the human condition. After failing to achieve eternal life, he returns to Uruk to rule as a wiser and more compassionate king, showing that his friend's death had a profound impact on him and his view of life.