The Characteristics of Gilgamesh in 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'

Every living thing on Earth has characteristics. Characteristics are what make humans unique. Whether someone is tall, short, intelligent, or athletic, character traits make all things on Earth unique. One of the greatest examples of characteristics is the main character of the epic Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh’s three main characteristics are bravery, strength, and arrogance.

Gilgamesh’s most prominent characteristic is his bravery. This is exhibited when Gilgamesh and Enkidu decide to fight Humbaba in the Cedar Forest, one of the most feared beings in the world. “Enkidu said, ‘But how can any man/ dare to enter the Cedar Forest?” (pg. 92). Since Humbaba is so feared, no one dared to fight him. Gilgamesh also went on a quest to find immortality. After his beloved friend Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh decides to try and bring him back by finding immortality. This is an epic journey that humans could never accomplish. “This one who approaches--he must be a god.” (pg. 160). Though Gilgamesh is two-thirds divine, finding immortality is still an incredible feat, regardless of whether he became immortal or not. Not only did this journey require bravery, but it also

Gilgamesh was created with the intent of being stronger and more resistant than any human. “At four hundred miles they stopped to eat,/ at a thousand miles they pitched their camp.” (pg. 111). No human would ever be able to walk that amount at once, let alone in the small amount of time the journey is accomplished in. Gilgamesh was also created by the gods, which makes him extremely strong. In fact, he got so powerful that the gods had to create his equal, Enkidu, to calm Gilgamesh. “Two-thirds divine and one-third human,/ son of King Lugalbanda, who became/ a god, and of the goddess Ninsun.” (pg. 71) Gilgamesh was created for the sole purpose of being strong and persistent. Sometimes, though, his strength goes to his head, leading to