Theme Of Friendship In Gilgamesh

1477 Words3 Pages

Friendship seems to be such a simple occurrence in society, however it is so much more than that. Friendship is a complex relationship between two or more people based off of mutual interests, values, ideas, and the like. While the connotation of the word friendship seems to always express goodness, joy, and happiness at times friendship can work in the complete opposite of that. One friendship gone wrong can affect a person for the rest of their life whether they realize it or not. Enkidu and Gilgamesh, though, are the prime example of true friendship regardless of how they met. They stand by each other through all their adventures and battles and then when Enkidu becomes ill and dies, Gilgamesh is right there by his side like he has always …show more content…

This journey in particular was a hard one for Gilgamesh, not only because he was without his best friend but because it was just a physically demanding journey in and of itself. At several points during the journey it is easy to tell that Gilgamesh is growing afraid of death, and is frantic of sorts to find immortality. He is faced with many tests along the way, but in the end reached Utanapishtim, the survivor of the flood, and is at the verge of finding immortality. However things just do not go his way. Utanapishtim challenges Gilgamesh to a week without sleeping in order to gain the coveted virtue of immortality, however Gilgamesh fails almost instantly. Gilgamesh will not become immortal that way, but there is one other way. There is a plant that Gilgamesh can find and gain immortality from if he is pricked by it. However, after Gilgamesh finds the plant, he goes for a swim and a snake steals his plant and gains the immortality instead of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is simply not cut out for immortality like he thought he was. Gilgamesh is heartbroken about not gaining immortality and letting his best friend down, so he returns to

Show More
Related

  • The Epic of Gilgamesh

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    True love and immortality in life would be a dream come true to many people. To spend time with a special someone; the person one feels closest to; the so-called soul mate and to never have that high feeling of emotion end mentally and physically would greatly appeal to most people. But when death steps into the picture, even with all the pain and devastation, one starts to re-evaluate themselves and realizes the important things in life and puts it all into perspective. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the main character, Gilgamesh, is a powerful, arrogant king and part god. Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s partner, is animal-like but later takes on more humanistic traits such as his contemplation’s of death. The friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is a very powerful, loving friendship. Enkidu is Gilgamesh’s soul mate, not only acting as his friend but as a lover too. Enkidu’s presence in Gilgamesh’s life allows Gilgamesh to see what is truly good in life and to accept his mortality much easier.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Gilgamesh Without Enkidu

    1385 Words  | 3 Pages

    He needed to have this emotional intimacy with someone in order to grow in a way that was previously unimagined. He needed to go to the Cedar Forest to gain a heroic reputation. He also needed to give and take on that journey with Enkidu to grow emotionally. He needed to face his weaknesses and then be built up and reassured by someone he loved and trusted. Gilgamesh needed to work together with someone to kill this monstrous beast to show that he is not almighty. It would’ve been impossible for him to do alone, he wouldn’t have had the physical or emotional capacity. Enkidu was also needed to convince him to kill Humbaba. Gilgamesh never would’ve been able to make that tough discussion without

    Read More

  • Sympathism In Gilgamesh

    1911 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh, although written in the area between the West and East, is a more Western text rather than an Eastern text. Gilgamesh, in its ancientness can be seen as the catalyst for the majority of Western ideologies and texts. The text in its approach to aging, finding the truth and the pursuit of immortalizing oneself are in parallel with how Western beliefs conduct themselves and by extension show how Western motivation for their text could be constructed. In this manner, Gilgamesh is the oldest surviving Western text to pave the paradigm of Western texts rather than Eastern texts.

    Read More

  • The Epic of Gilgamesh

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the end of the story, Gilgamesh is walking home, when he starts a conversation with a local blind man. “He entered the city and asked a blind man if he had ever heard the name Enkidu, and the old man shrugged and shook his head, then turned away, as if to say impossible to keep the names of friends whom we have lost." (P. 91-92) This is one of the most important conversations in the entire book.

    Read More

  • How Did Gilgamesh Become A Better King

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    After encountering the death of his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh realizes that all men will die. Gilgamesh evolves from the beginning of The Epic of Gilgamesh as an unruly king to a realistic king who’s life ends in death. In the end after accepting that he too must die and be subject to fate, Gilgamesh settles back into his city setting, only this time to be a wise king rather than the foolish hero he once was.

    Read More

  • Death and Immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    Death and Immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh The search for immortality has been a major concern for many men and women all throughout history. True love and immortality in life would be a dream come true to many. To spend time with a special someone, the person one feels closest to, and never have to say good-bye would greatly appeal to most people. But when death steps into the picture, even with all the pain and devastation, one starts to re-evaluate themselves. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh explores the possibility of immortality following the saddening death of his friend and brother, Enkidu.

    Read More

  • Characteristics of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in Foster's The Epic of Gilgamesh

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everyone has qualities that are heroic and noble, and everyone has their flaws. No matter who they are, or how perfect others think they are, people still have some negative qualities that can hurt their heroic ones. In the book, The Epic of Gilgamesh, by Benjamin Foster, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu had positive and negative characteristics that affected the outcome of their journey and their adventures they experienced throughout their lives.

    Read More

  • Morality In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1507 Words  | 4 Pages

    He, however, ruled with a tyrannical behavior in ways such as sending young men to fight in senseless wars, fulfilling his sexual satisfaction with young brides on their wedding night, and treating his people as if they were beneath him as human beings. Upon wrestling and defeating Enkidu in a battle, the two became extremely close as friends. Their friendship influenced and shaped Gilgamesh’s perception of the world, especially upon the death of Enkidu. Once his close friend passed away, Gilgamesh became more self-aware of his own mortality and sought for the answers of gaining immortality. Although this may seem like a selfish act of his part, Gilgamesh underwent a major character transformation during his journey in the underworld. Upon meeting and hearing the story of how Utnapishtim was granted immortality by the gods, Gilgamesh accepts the challenge put forth by Utnapishtim to stay awake for six days and seven nights. After failing the challenge, Utnapishtim was persuaded by his wife to provide Gilgamesh with a consolation prize due to his extensive journey to the underworld. He informed Gilgamesh of the existence of a magic plant at

    Read More

  • Theme Of Immortality In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1621 Words  | 4 Pages

    In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the great Gilgamesh is praised for his journey in which he achieves great wisdom. Although he lives in a civilization, Gilgamesh is wild; he is a king who abuses his power and carelessly rapes women. Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s other half, teaches Gilgamesh about friendship. After the death of his beloved companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh desires to become immortal out of fear. Gilgamesh's journey to reach immortality is him entering the wilderness. This desire for immortality and his pursuit of it by going on a quest through the wilderness exemplify the connection between wilderness and the concept of immortality. The wilderness is immortal in the sense that it is always replenishing itself, keeping itself alive for centuries

    Read More

  • Comparing The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Book of Job

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the book of job have friendship in common. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu and Gilgamesh have a very strong and unbreakable friendship. Gilgamesh turns away from the affection of the Goddess Ishtar for his platoni...

    Read More

  • Friendship in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh benefited from their friendship. They each got a friend, and they each gained wisdom. Enkidu gained wisdom in knowing the finer things in life. Gilgamesh gained wisdom in knowing that he would be punished when he died; he wants a second chance at life. Gilgamesh shows Enkidu the finer things, and Enkidu shows Gilgamesh that he will be punished in his death. These are the reasons that their friendship was a good thing. This topic in Gilgamesh is one of the most controversial ones, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu both gained a friend and wisdom that they did not have before. Without this friendship neither would be the changed people they are at the end of their lives. Gilgamesh and Enkidu needed each other, even if they did not know it.

    Read More

  • Pursuit Of Eternal Life In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

    1330 Words  | 3 Pages

    At this time, death did not concern him. He overcomes many obstacles to reach this man, some of which no mortal had ventured through before. Finally, when he meets Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh explains his desire to be immortal and his fear of death. Utnapishtim challenges him to "not sleep for six days and seven nights" ("The Epic").

    Read More

  • Self-Discovery In The Odyssey And Dante's Inferno

    1645 Words  | 4 Pages

    Character deficiencies and external events force these three characters to embark on a journey that may be physical, metaphorical, or both. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, but he is not a kind or gentle ruler. The narrator describes Gilgamesh as "surpassing all kings, for his stature renowned" (I.30) and yet the people pray to the gods for help because Gilgamesh "would leave no son to his father" (I.67) or "girl to her mother" (I.73). In other words, Gilgamesh sees nothing wrong with taking what he wants from his people, including their lives. However, when Gilgamesh's best friend dies, he finds himself face-to-face with his own mortality, which he is not prepared to accept as inevitable. Gilgamesh states, "I have grown afraid of death . . ." (IX. 5). He decides to continue wandering the land un...

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh and Modern Society

    385 Words  | 1 Pages

    Throughout time, people of all cultures have told stories of heroes and kings. The most ancient story we have on record is the tale of King Gilgamesh. This story is an account of the King's journeys and accomplishments. Although it was written over four thousand years ago, many comparisons can be made between the society in which the story was written and our own modern society. In this essay, differences and similarities between the two societies will be examined.

    Read More

  • Message of Love in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    The second significant change in Gilgamesh was caused by the loss of his brotherly companion, Enkidu. Gilgamesh couln't bear the loss of a love so powerful. Despite his astonishing power and leadership, something in his life was missing. Moreover, he wept for seven days and nights, thinking his friend would come back because of his weeping. It is in this stage of the epic that one can see the truly sympathetic and compassionate side of Gilgamesh. The grief in his heart had far surpassed the magnificent pride that he had previously displayed so boldly. Enkidu's death left Gilgamesh frightened and confused. However, the despair in his heart was so great that he could not rest; would he ever be at peace? Thus, he became terrified of his own death.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Friendship In Gilgamesh

Open Document