Character Analysis: The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of two Gods who come together from completely different paths and develop a strong, deep, spiritual bond. Gilgamesh is a God who presides over the Sumerian city of Uruk. Gilgamesh is the son of man and is the handsomest, strongest man alive, however, he is also the most feared man due to his lack of compassion and his hunger for power and domination. Gilgamesh loves to fight the other men of the city, as well as sleep many women. Another God, Anu, decided to create someone to balance Gilgamesh in hopes of giving him a companion who can keep up. This is Enkidu. Enkidu is a God made from clay who lives the beginning of his life in the woods, uncivilized. Enkidu is different so to people, he is terrifying. A prostitute

He stumbles upon a “girl’s small cottage by the sea’, “with an aching heart”. Gilgamesh is in such a wrecked state, that the girl is scared of him. The two share a brief encounter. This girl notices the sadness upon Gilgamesh and says, “ Is there a simple reason, sir, why you’re so sad or why your face is drawn and thin? Has chance worn out your youth or did some wicked sorrow consume you like food?” This line is in direct correlation with the previous passage where Gilgamesh says to himself “Will grief become your food?” which also correlates with the first passage discussed. Altogether, Gilgamesh gave in to “poisonous” desires, which cost him his “brother”, leaving light to evaporate and blackest of night. Light now evolves it’s meaning into happiness. Light dissolves, Gilgamesh’s happiness has dissolved and he is consumed by darkness, his sadness and pain. Grief does become Gilgamesh’s food and the girl notices this right away. Gilgamesh says, “This was Enkidu, my soul’s good half, who raced wild horses there”, “I loved Enkidu, who was always there for me”, and “On mountaintops I roamed content to breathe again when my friend’s death choked off my wind.” Gilgamesh is describing Enkidu’s strength comparing him to “wild horses”, while telling of how much and why he loved Enkidu. Once again, mountaintops are mentioned. The first passage says, “When we leave the mountain, this is what we will remember.” This is what Gilgamesh remembers. This is where everything went wrong. Once he left the mountaintop, Enkidu was already good as dead and now Gilgamesh keeps going back to this place, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This mountain has become Gilgamesh’s ultimate Hell. Gilgamesh is left to wonder if happiness if for him, to which the girl responds, “It is the will of the gods for you to smile on simple pleasure in the leisure time of your short days.” This is interesting because it was