Gilgamesh can be treated as a hero, but it is important to remember that Sumerians perceived him as a god and his heroism was not just a characteristic of his but it was the way to becoming a god. Although, his divine status does not deprive him of human characteristics and inclinations.
2. Ninsun was respected by Sumerians, but she should be viewed not only as a god guiding Gilgamesh throughout his life, but above all, she should be viewed as the mother. In fact, Ninsun is rather personification of the traditional image of mother in Sumerian culture than a goddess.
3. Gilgamesh feels fear of Humbaba and this feeling is so typically human. At the same time, he readily kills Humbaba when he and Enkidu get such an opportunity that proves that a murder was not an extraordinary thing in Sumerian culture of that epoch. Moreover this murder proves that Gilgamesh was bold to take action other humans are afraid of.
4. The search of eternal life is typical for ancient epic works because the theme of life and death was traditionally important for people. At the same time, in the Epic of Gilgamesh the search of eternal life is also the revelation of the strength and power of the main character. He is not really afraid of death, unlike other people and that makes him a hero, a kind of semi-god.
5. Ishtar apparently symbolizes vices and evil associated with women which are contrasted to the wisdom of a man. In such a way, the epic reveals the position of women in Sumerian society and Sumerian culture. Thus, women were viewed as imperfect and vicious, while men were superior and virtuous.
6. The perception of death by modern society and Sumerians differ because the latter were more religious and believed in the afterlife


7. The Epic of Gilgamesh is an early form of epic and, therefore, it cannot meet absolutely the modern definition of epic.

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