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Gayla West

ENGL 2332

Exam One

Epic of Gilgamesh: Compare and contrast Gilgamesh’s character with the character of Enkidu and Discuss

why Gilgamesh has such a difficult time dealing with Enkidu’s death.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu were created with similarities and differences in many ways. The

gods bestowed Gilgamesh with more than wealth and power. He was shaped with a beautiful

perfect body and was blessed with courage. He was made of two-thirds god and one-third man.

He was obsessed with making a name for himself; his name will be setup where the famous men

are written (7). Instead of Gilgamesh being humble with warm heart, he was arrogant and one

who took advantage of his power, and instilled fear in his people. He treated women like objects;

taking a bride on her wedding night, before the newlyweds can consummate their vows. “His lust

leaves no virgin to her lover” (4). The gods hear the people of Uruk’s cries and they resolve their

burden. They produce a like equal to Gilgamesh to absorb his energy and offset his faults.

Enkidu was made of clay and created to possess moral values. Unlike Gilgamesh, he did

not have the perfect body, wealth, or power. Enkidu did not live in a kingdom or know about

civilization, as he lived and prowled in the wilderness with other animals. In contrast of

Gilgamesh, Enkidu was not egotistical; he was not concerned with fame. Enkidu did not know of

women until the trapper introduced him to the scarlet woman. Then, he became more of a man

and learned the love of a woman, “for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his

heart” (5) making Enkidu wise of the spirits of a woman. There was an automatic likeness of

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Enkidu; people crowded around him. The woman followed him and the men expressed joy

“…this hero whose beauty is like a god, he is a match even for Gilgamesh” (Kovacs).

Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu portray many equal traits. They have great strength that

exceeds that of a common man. When they first meet there is immediate impact on Gilgamesh.

They shook the walls as they fought, grunting, and locking heads like two bulls fighting. They

both sense respects for the other after their brawl. “So Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their

friendship was sealed” (6).They prove their courage and strength as they embark on the

undertaking of Humbaba. As they came to the cedar forest to destroy Humbaba they portray a

fear of dying in battle. They speak inspirational words of encouragement. As one is frightened of

the battle, the other motivates to continue moving forward, “…have we got the better of so many

dangers and travelled so far, to turn back at last” (9)? Gilgamesh said. They exhibit courage and

heroism, “…Enkidu cried to Gilgamesh…thrust your sword between the nape and the horns”

(12) when slaying the Bull of Heaven. The pursuits Gilgamesh and Enkidu have endured further

strengthened their relationship. They interpret their friendship as like brothers and have a strong

bond of love. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh goes into a deep depression. “Enkidu, whom I loved

so dearly, who went with me through all the hardships…I have wept for him day and night…”

(16). Gilgamesh lost a friend, his love, his companion.

The gods created two equal, but different persons who counteract each other. Gilgamesh

has everything, but takes advantage of his power and is feared by people. Enkidu had only the

forest, then became like a man and who is loved by everyone. They both have tremendous

strength and portrayed fear of death during battle along with the courage to push the other

through their challenges. Gilgamesh and Enkidu created a concrete friendship and gained a bond

like that of twins. Only they are able to understand what it is like to be the other.

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Gilgamesh is having an extremely difficult time with Enkidu’s death. He mourned

Enkidu’s death for seven days before he would be laid to rest. Enkidu’s death compels

Gilgamesh to endure living the life he still has left. Initially, he is very distraught over Enkidu’s

death that he abandons his duties as king. “How can I rest, how can I be at peace? Despair in my

heart” (16). Gilgamesh is bitter that he cannot live forever. In search of everlasting life, he

instead finds that he is mortal like everybody else and he as well must die. He was told by

Shamash “You will never find the life for which you are searching” (16).

The greed that Gilgamesh carried for his name to be known and engraved in the cedar

caused death to his friend. Although Enkidu warns Gilgamesh away from the battle he insisted

on the quest to search for the evil of the land. “I have not established my name stamped on bricks

as my destiny decreed; therefore I will go to the country where the cedar is felled” (7). The

pursuit to hunt for the guard of Cedar Mountain. The slaying of Humbaba. All steered Ishtar to

pursue Gilgamesh as a love. Ishtar did not take kind to his rejection. She called upon her father,

Anu, to release the Bull of Heaven to annihilate him. Gilgamesh and Enkidu battled and slayed

the Bull of Heaven. The gods quarreled that since Gilgamesh and Enkidu slayed the Bull of

Heaven and Humbaba, “…one of the two must die” (13). Although it was the command of Anu

for the Bull of Heaven to be killed “must Enkidu die although innocent” (13)? Enkidu was

cursed with a dishonorable death, not a famous, glorious death in battle. Gilgamesh shows

despair and prays for Enkidu for all paths that he has come upon to mourn and weep for him.

Gilgamesh lost his friend, not in battle, but because of battles they fought. Gilgamesh felt at fault

and had a difficult time with Enkidu’s death “His fate lies heavy upon me” (18).

Gilgamesh goes into a deep bitter depression in search of everlasting life. “What my

brother is now, that shall I be when I am dead. Because I am afraid of death…” (16). Gilgamesh

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tries to become Enkidu. He grows his hair long and wears animal skins. His grief and terror

arouse him onto a trifling quest for eternal life. After seven days of Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh

finally lets him be laid to rest. The revelation of what will happen to him when he dies haunts

Gilgamesh. He shows true fear of death, “…He is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the earth

forever. I am afraid of death” (18).

Gilgamesh did not try to avoid death on the journeys with Enkidu. He found stardom and

endless fame. He roams in fear of death now that he is aware of his mortality. The terror drives

him to find Utnapishtim and the answer to immortality. The paths Gilgamesh encounters and

obstacles he must face cannot discourage him from pursuing for answers to everlasting life.

He comes across paths and encounters he must face, but none of which can dissuade him

from pursuing the answers to everlasting life. The ferryman tries to persuade Gilgamesh that it is

inconceivable for a man to find immortality, but he is unsuccessful. “I will cross the Ocean if it is

possible; if it is not I will wander still farther in the wilderness” (17).

Gilgamesh reaches Utnapishtim, who tells him there is a plant that grows under water

that restores lost youth if you succeed in taking it (22). He was going to travel back to Uruk and

share the plant calling it “The Old Men Are Young Again” (22). Before he could get back a

serpent snatched the plant from him. Gilgamesh wept for he did find immortality, but it was

stripped from him before he could be successful.

Gilgamesh mourned for his friend Enkidu. His greed to have fame took Enkidu from him.

His fear of death took him on a quest to find immortality. However, through his travels he

learned his own limitations. He learned to love another person other than himself. Gilgamesh has

experienced his own pain and no longer is he blind to the feelings of others. Although Gilgamesh

was not successful to gain everlasting life, he did become humble.

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Works Cited

The Epic of Gilgamesh. Electronic edition by Wolf Carnahan, 1998. Retrieved online from

www.ancienttexts.org. 25 Jan. 2016.