Gilgamesh: An Epic Hero

Gilgamesh is an epic hero because, he part divine, interacts with gods and his story has a series of adventures and superhuman victories. Gilgamesh is a king that shows off his power and enviably shows his weak side in most altercations. Most scholars see him as a historical figure, but I myself think he is definitely an epic hero. He oppresses people who call out to the gods, this is not very heroic, but his other actions will show the truth. Gilgamesh IS an epic hero. Gilgamesh is a powerful yet emotional king. Gilgamesh shows his weak side by saying “I have wept for him day and night…” After this he remains an epic hero in my opinion. The text states he went on a great dangerous journey and survived and killed the guard of The Cedar

Ishtar threatens Anu, and Anu becomes terrified, and renders to her. Ishtar leads Gugalanna to Uruk, and it causes far-flung devastation. It lowers the level of the Euphrates River and dries the marshes up. It opens immense pits that absolutely devour 300 men. Without any providential aid, Enkidu and Gilgamesh attack and slay it, and offer its heart to Shamash. When Ishtar cries out, Enkidu cast one of the bull’s buttocks at her. The city of Uruk celebrates, but Enkidu has a sinister dream about his future failure. Gilgamesh is also an epic hero because he survived a 6-day 6-night flood. Gilgamesh tore his house down. Gilgamesh then built a boat out of his house. He then gathered his family and gathered animals. Then when the flood comes Gilgamesh gets on his boat and he waits out the storm. When the storm is over he still alive. Gilgamesh shows great heroic action yet again. Gilgamesh is most definitely an ‘epic hero’. Gilgamesh, on top of that, was the great king of Uruk. He defeated Humbaba. He defeated Ishtar. Then, he survived a deadly 6-day 6-night storm that flooded nearly all of the land. He just continues to execute all of these ‘hero like’ deeds. These actions simply prove that not only was an epic hero, but he was a