The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest and most classic tale of all time that is on the surface about one man's quest for immortality and the struggles, adventures, and ultimate failure that comes along with such a quest. However, if one digs deeper, they can spot self-referencing and portends throughout that seem to indicate the author is aware that the allegorical application of the story could become famed in the future and lift the story up to epic status, perhaps due to the universally appealing and critical message that speaks to the deepest questions and yearnings of what it means to be human; questions that transcend time or culture.

In the first part of the story detailing Gilgamesh's adventures with his onetime foe and then dear friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh becomes dismayed at Enkidu's punishment of death and strives to find the holy grail of immortality. Eventually he accepts that everlasting life is not for men, but takes solace in a different kind of immortality: “I will set up my name in the place where the names of famous men are written, and where no man’s name is written yet I will raise a monument to the gods.” This quote requires no exhaustive analysis, it is clear that the story is telling us a man can gain immortality through his actions and the life he leads; if recorded his memory will live on like a God, even if his physical being desists.

On another level, one can witness some subtle and interesting meta-referencing and draw a parallel that is at once both under the nose of the reader, and also cleverly opaque. In the same way that Gilgamesh and by extension men's lives can live on after their death through being recorded, so will the Epic of Gilgamesh itself, it's deep and powerful message having been proven to appeal to all that came after by the story's undying popularity. In this way, the author is himself creating immortality not only for his own person but the Akkadian culture which he was a part of. We relate to Gilgamesh and his struggle, and in doing so the Sumerian society in one small way burns on forever.

Likewise, in the 1st part of the story, the concept of losing a friend or loved one and that suffering is a universal one that all humans can relate to. “How can I keep silent? How can I stay quiet? My friend, whom I loved, has turned to clay, my friend Enkidu, whom I loved has turned to clay. Shall I not be like him, and also lie down, never to rise again, through all eternity?” This is what sparks Gilgamesh to go on his epic quest, but the first part about "keeping silent" is especially telling. Across the centuries, storytelling has been an integral part of the human experience and the writer desires to share his culture, his feelings, and his soul with the reader. Also, Gilgamesh's fears are the roots of many religions that aim to solve questions of what happens after death. Through the vehicle of Gilgamesh's agonizing over his friend's death, the author is referencing his own work and his refusal "to stay silent."

Ultimately, The Epic of Gilgamesh is a classic ancient work, the first recorded story we have ever found, that deals with a man's struggle with death and immortality. But it also interestingly serves as a cleverly piece of meta-referenced work; the author fascinatingly aware of the importance of his work and the future waves it could make, and keenly drooping hints to future generations of readers about his wise prophecies.