In the time period of this Epic dreams were taken into consideration and thought to have more of a deep meaning, which drastically differs from current time. As such, the dreams experienced within this text are highly descriptive and meaningful. All the dreams experienced by Gilgamesh and Enkidu throughout the text function as ways of the god’s communicating with them and foreshadowing events in the future. These dreams also play into the familiar themes of death being inevitable and the power of love. In order to properly understand the features and functions of the dreams included within the text we must analyze each specific dream.
In the first two dreams introduced in the epic foreshadowing and the theme of love and companionship are heavily prevalent, as is the theme of eventual death. These dreams are experienced by the powerful King Gilgamesh and the first goes, “The stars of heavens appeared
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I lifted it up, but it weighed too much for me, I tried to roll it, but I could not dislodge it” (10). The dream continues on with Gilgamesh becoming entranced with the rock as if it were his wife and his strength finally prevailing and allowing him to carry the rock to his mother. In the next dream, he finds an axe in the town square with people admiring it and he takes that too to his mother. Gilgamesh’s mother Ninsun is able to interpret the dreams, “…the axe you saw is a friend, like a wife you’ll love him, caress and embrace him, and I, Ninsun, I shall make him your equal. A mighty comrade will come to you, and be his friend’s savior, mightiest in the land, strength he possesses, his strength is as mighty as the rock from the sky” (11). This dream thus foreshadows the arrival of Enkidu and the bond that will form between him