Character Transformations In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

When analyzing the character Gilgamesh, the questions arose; who is he, what type of person is being exemplified, and what role does he play? The answer to these questions can be somewhat challenging to answer because his character transitions throughout the reading of the “Epic of Gilgamesh”. Over the course of the Epic, he transitions from an astringent leader of the community to someone who has more humbleness to his character. Gilgamesh’s character is transformed from power hungry, to prowess, and then a humbled individual. In the Epic, Gilgamesh has such an appetite for power that he must seek the key to eternal life so he can live forever. The fact that he possesses anything a person could ask for is not enough to satisfy his taste of

The death of his friend Enkidu plays a big role in this transformation. Gilgamesh goes from independent to having companionship, which he had never had, back to being alone again. This grief would incite in him the fear of his own mortality and drive him to press forward for the answer to immortal life. Pressing forward on this journey would prove to be a daunting task for Gilgamesh. The struggle of losing his friend and the difficult terrain brings him to a low that he had never experienced before. This would become apparent even to the tavern keeper as she tells him of the, “woe in his vitals” that he possesses. The response from the King of Uruk puts things in perspective as he states, “I could find no

This becomes apparent to the reader as the Epic describes how he treats the people of Uruk ruling them with not a care other than his own. Nevertheless, the God Anu can take part of the blame for this outcome because Gilgamesh had been created with such physical and divine characteristics that no other could match his greatness. As the character of Enkidu was introduced, Gilgamesh’s character transitioned to that of a more courageous one. The King of Uruk would come to share his power in battle with the one who stood up against him. Gilgamesh would come to the realization that he was not as powerful as he had made up in his mind in the battle with Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. This transition to his lack of power becomes evident as Gilgamesh requires help from Enkidu in both battles and Shamash in one. The final part of Gilgamesh’s transition would begin with Enkidu as well. The loss of his companion would become a humbling experience for Gilgamesh. His heartache is such that the realization of his own mortality comes into question. This would prove to be another unpretentious blow to his character as he suffers another great loss. As the King Gilgamesh returns to his beautiful land of Uruk, he is not the same King he was when he