What Is Gilgamesh An Epic Hero

Before a time where there were professional football players, politicians, and music superstars, cultures relied on tales of epic heroes as role models. These heroes often provided a moral code and gave them the ideas of what, specifically, they were supposed to seek to attain, whether it is something tangible or an intangible characteristic. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the tale’s hero, Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu embarks on a journey to conquer the evil Humbaba in order to bring back enough cedar from the Cedar Forest to build a magnificent gate for their city, which would ultimately bring them fame. In the time period that Gilgamesh came about, fame was what each person was attempting to gain. As the king addresses his city he says, “It is Gilgamesh who will venture into

My fame will be secure to all my sons. The journey I will undergo has never been undergone before. Give me your blessing. I will return to celebrate the feast.” He is relaying a message to his city that the prize that is worth attaining is fame for themselves and their sons, and the way to accomplish that is by doing something that has never been done before. With fame in mind, the king sets out on his journey. The quest alone is a daunting task, the text says, “The two of them traveled fifty leagues a day never resting except at night trying to rest […] in three days’ walk a hundred and fifty leagues, a three weeks’ walk for any ordinary man.” As the two friends reach the forest fear overcomes them. The reputation of the evil demon Humbaba is, “Hubaba’s mouth is fire; his roar the floodwater; his breath is death.” In spite of their lingering fear,