Gilgamesh hopes to find immortality in the fear that death is upon him. He travels for days in the desert meeting strange people. When Gilgamesh finally reaches Utnapishtim, he learns that immortality is not just a gift from the gods, but something that is earned. Utnapishtim states: "Stay awake for seven days" (XI. 191). Gilgamesh fails the test and realizes that he cannot escape death. If that's not enough to bottle, the fact that he lost his parting gift to a snake is the last straw. Gilgamesh fails to accomplish what he set out to do and returns home empty-handed. The stories of the two epic heroes Odysseus and Gilgamesh are very different but share similarities. Both epic heroes have personalities that help influence the outcome of their journey. Odysseus's personality allows him a safe journey home, and Gilgamesh's personality offers him a humble ending. The two heroes both have great strengths. Odysseus' mental strength allows him to outwit his opponents, and Gilgamesh's physical strength allows him to travel faster. Both Odyssey and Gilgamesh went on a journey. Odysseus searches for Ithaca and Gilgamesh searches