Suffering in Job and Gilgamesh

Suffering, to me, is a burden on the mind, incited by either physical or mental pain. One can endure suffering as a result of a physical injury or due to the loss of a loved one - an absence in one's mind. There are also different levels of suffering. While physical pain can bring on incredible suffering, it generally comes and goes quickly. The suffering caused by a mental loss can arguably be much worse, as it may seem less at first, but then grows gradually over time to the point where it can become overwhelming.

Gilgamesh and Job both endure forms of intense suffering in their respective stories. Gilgamesh suffers mentally in several ways. He struggles to discover the purpose of his incredible strength, and as a result wanders the world searching for an answer. His other reason for his quest is the loss of his only true friend, Enkidu. When Ekidu dies, Gilgamesh suffers immensely. The death of his friend is his excuse to go on a journey to find his purpose. This demonstrates that while suffering can be incredibly painful, it also allows us to grow as individuals if we can manage to embrace it and learn from it. Job suffers both mentally and physically throughout his entire life: He's the poster child for suffering. He also demonstrates the positive impact suffering can have on those who can endure it, and shows how it can strengthen both our integrity and our understanding of the world around us.