Gilgamesh Epic Essay, Research Paper

Gilgamesh is an epic that has been passed down for thousands of years. The epic

narrates the legendary deeds of the main character Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is

two-thirds immortal and one-third mortal; however, he cannot accept his fate

that one day he too will die. The entire epic tells the story of Gilgamesh?s

life and searche for immortality. Through his many trials and tribulations,

Gilgamesh proves that he has great physical strength. However, throughout the

epic Gilgamesh also shows he is emotionally unstable and immature. The author

created Gilgamesh with this flaw of immaturity so that he would be a more

believable character. The depth of Gilgamesh’s physical strength first appears

to the reader in the prologue. Gilgamesh is said to be "the man to whom all

things are known". The gods created him with great care giving him beauty

and courage. "The great gods made his beauty perfect, surpassing all

others, terrifying like a great wild bull". Furthermore, his beauty and

power were like that of no other man. The story begins by stating that Gilgamesh

is an overbearing king. He never sleeps due to his over indulgence in life.

Gilgamesh keeps the city in disruption involving anyone he pleases in his

corrupt demands. He sleeps with all the virgins before they are married,

therefore, making them impure before their husbands have a chance to sleep with

them. If Gilgamesh were a mature king, he would see no reason to show he is the

most powerful. He would lead his people with only good intentions and rule the

land justly. Even though Gilgamesh demonstrates great physical strength in

defeating Humbaba and by killing the Bull of Heaven, his emotional strength is

put to the test when Enkidu, his companion, dies. Gilgamesh wants everyone and

everything to mourn his death. He could not accept Enkidu’s death. "Seven

days and seven nights he wept for Enkidu, until the worm fastened on him".

His irrational actions prove Gilgamesh is emotionally unstable and immature.

Another example of Gilgamesh’s immaturity is his infatuation with immortality.

He abandons his normal way of life, leaves Uruk, and begins a new life as a hunt

Finally and most importantly, the main reason that Gilgamesh changes from the

beginning of the book is the friendship that he has with Enkidu. Enkidu is made

to make Gilgamesh more human. In the first paragraph of the book the gods are

angry with Gilgamesh and send down an equal of himself, they send down Enkidu.

After becoming friends, Gilgamesh changes because he has an equal to be with.

Enkidu and Gilgamesh become as close as brothers. Because of this, a very

arguable point comes up. Was Enkidu and Gilgamesh lovers? The answer is

obviously yes. What points in the book show this? They go to sleep holding

hands, Gilgamesh loves Enkidu like a women, and Gilgamesh goes almost insane

after the death of Enkidu. The point of Enkidu being a lover of Gilgamesh is

very important. It allows the reader to understand the reasoning of Gilgamesh

changing. There are no changes in Gilgamesh as a person until Enkidu enters the

picture. Obviously he is the reason for all eventual changes in the personality.