Fighting for Friendship in the Epic "Gilgamesh"

469 Words1 Page

The epic of Gilgamesh opens with the people of Uruk unhappy about Gilgamesh's behavior. He sends all boys off to war and no virgin is left to her groom because Gilgamesh must have them first. The people appeal to the gods and Aruru, goddess of creation, fashions Enkidu. Her intentions are to create someone who can resist Gilgamesh, although Enkidu first acts as a wild beast grazing in the fields and protecting the other animals. A harlot is called for to civilize Enkidu and after sleeping with her he realizes he is forever changed and now must go to fulfill his destiny. He travels to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh. Although Gilgamesh wins, he is forever changed and gains a true friend. What is the meaning of the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu for an understanding of the epic Gilgamesh?

When Enkidu is found eating, living with, and protecting the wild beast, the hunter sends his son to Gilgamesh to send a harlot. Both men understand the power of a "woman's art" and know this will civilize the wild beast, Enkidu. When Enkidu sees her naked he comes to her and takes her; yet a...

Show More
Related

  • Gilgamesh's and Scrooge's Character Changes

    478 Words  | 1 Pages

    He is known for sleeping with virgins before their wedding night, stealing children, and exhausting his men. Upon complaints from the people of Uruk, the god Anu works with the goddess Aruru to create a rival for Gilgamesh. This rival, Enkidu, proves to be a challenge for Gilgamesh. Once Enkidu earns Gilgamesh's respect in battle, Gilgamesh accepts Eniku as a friend.

    Read More

  • Inanna: Goddess Of Heavon And Earth

    439 Words  | 1 Pages

    looking for a husband whom will fulfill her desires as a woman, “Come to me Gilgamesh, and be my bridegroom; grant me the seed of your body…” When Gilgamesh does not obey her plea, she believes he must pay; moreover, this leads to the death of his beloved companion Enkidu.

    Read More

  • Importance of Loyalty in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    The young trapper became displeased with the actions of Enkidu. The trapper journeys to Uruk to seek advice from Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh advises the trapper to "go back, take with you a child of pleasure. At the drinking-hole she will strip, and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and the game of the wilderness will surely reject him" (64). This passage demonstrates the known consequences of violating a loyalty. Gilgamesh knows that Enkidu will not be able to resist the temptation of a woman. The animals of the hills distrust humans and by being with a woman Enkidu will violate the trust of the animals. The trapper takes a harlot and returns the fields. Gilgamesh's plan works well:

    Read More

  • Theme Of Friendship In Gilgamesh

    1477 Words  | 3 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

    Read More

  • What Enkidu, Medea and Othello Have in Common

    591 Words  | 2 Pages

    Enkidu, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, is a wild man. He is burly, has a hairy chest and has been raised by animals. He looks as wild as the wilderness that he is from. It is important to the story that Enkidu become civilized to become Gilgamesh’s counterpoint. While Enkidu is still wild, the hunter and his father plan to make him more man than beast so that he will stop freeing the animals from their traps. The father says to the son, “Tell Gilgamesh of the mightiness-man. He will give you Shamhat the harlot, ...

    Read More

  • The Friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is a historic story of the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. The story depicts the short lived friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The story begins as Shamat the harlot seduces Enkidu and convinces him to go to the city of Uruk and meet Gilgamesh. From that moment on, the two were very close. They planned a trip to the forest of cedars to defeat the monster known as Humbaba so that Gilgamesh could show his power to the citizens of Uruk. However, Enkidu tried “vainly to dissuade” (18) Gilgamesh in going to the forest. Despite Enkidu’s plead, the two continued on their voyage to the forest where Humbaba lives. Once they arrived, they found the monster and killed him.

    Read More

  • Women In Gilgamesh

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    The tale of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamia poem that is considered to be the oldest surviving piece of literature. It is an epic tale about a demigod known as Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, and his close friend, Enkidu, a wild man who was originally created by the gods to fight against Gilgamesh and to stop him from mistreating the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are depicted as strong and powerful male characters who go on epic journeys, face great battles, and suffer great hardships. Their epic tale and characteristics can be seen as in-depth and admirable, and this creates an interesting tale to be read, but the tale is mainly male-centric and the females depicted in it, are hard to find admirable

    Read More

  • What Is The Father Son Relationship In Gilgamesh

    2021 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the epic story of Gilgamesh, the friendship between King, Gilgamesh, and his companion, Enkidu, is a example of true friendship. Before the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Gilgamesh was a man of raw and abuse. He had a boastful attitude and arrogance, and he was equally excessive abusive of his power. It was this abuse in power which led his city, Uruk, into an overwhelming state of rage and injustice. At the moment they meet, neither Enkidu nor Gilgamesh would 've thought the person they were fighting would become their best friend and `brother '. Within their first meeting, Enkidu and Gilgamesh challenge each other by blocking one another 's path in the street in a demonstration of each other 's stubbornness. After their

    Read More

  • The Transformation of Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    1766 Words  | 4 Pages

    The epic begins with the men of Uruk describing Gilgamesh as an overly aggressive ruler. "'Gilgamesh leaves no son to his father; day and night his outrageousness continues unrestrained; And he is the shepherd of Uruk, the enclosure; He is their shepherd, and yet he oppresses them. Strong, handsome, and wise. . . Gilgamesh leaves no virgin to her lover.'"(p.18, Line 23-27) The citizens respect him, but they resent his sexual and physical aggression, so they plead to the gods to alleviate some of their burden. The gods resolve to create an equal for Gilgamesh to tame him and keep him in line. This equal, Enkidu, has an immediate impact on Gilgamesh. When they first meet, both having never before met a man equal in stature, they brawl. "They grappled with each other, Snorting like bulls; They shattered the doorpost, that the wall shook."(p.32, lines 15-18)  In giving Gilgamesh a real battle, Enkidu instantly changes him; having this equal gives Gilgamesh a sense of respect for another man. These two men fighting each other creates a serious mess, but they both end up without animosity toward the other.

    Read More

  • The Epic of Gilgamesh

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Perhaps one of the main reasons the Epic of Gilgamesh is so popular and has lasted such a long time, is because it offers insight into the human concerns of people four thousand years ago, many of which are still relevant today. Some of these human concerns found in the book that are still applicable today include: the fear and concerns people have in relation to death, overwhelming desires to be immortal, and the impact a friendship has on a person’s life. It does not take a great deal of insight into The Epic of Gilgamesh for a person to locate these themes in the story, and even less introspection to relate to them.

    Read More

  • Message of Love in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before the coming of Enkidu, Gilgamesh was a man of great power. A being for which there was no equal match, Gilgamesh boasted about his overwhelming glory and power. However, his arrogance was accompanied with an extensive abuse of power, which pushed the city of Uruk into a state of rage. Still Gilgamesh felt no despair; he lived to display to others his majestic power. The first sign of a sincere change in Gilgamesh arises as a result of the birth of Enkidu. From the beginning, a powerful link developed between man and woman. The wise Ninsun said to Gilgamesh,"You will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you". Gilgamesh had finally met his match, a friend that would serve as his life-long companion. Upon the seal of this great friendship, Gilgamesh began to change his selfish ways. Nevertheless, he shared with Enkidu the luxuries of kindness. Setting aside his great pride and power, Gilgamesh had opened a place in his heart, and in his sumptuous life, for his beloved brother.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Friendship In The Epic World Of Gilgamesh

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    They began their friendship by becoming real brothers through the blessings of the Gods. Gilgamesh later wanted his legacy to be remembered, so sought an adventure by himself and his new brother to go on a journey to fight and kill Humbaba . In the story it writes “kill Humbaba and cut his Cedarlet there be rejoicing all over the land ,and I will erect a monument of the victory (?) before you!"The... words of Gilgamesh, her son,grieving, Queen Ninsun heard over and over” (Gilgamesh). Gilgamesh believed that this journey would help their legacy be remembered for ever. So they set forward and went on the journey. Continuously, once they began their journey Enkidu began to have dreams. One of his dreams was terrifying. He sought his own death. Futhermore, being a good friend Gilgamesh tells Enkidu not to worry. In the story it states “ Take my hand, my friend, we will go on together.Your heart should burn to do battle--pay no heed to death, do not lose heart!”(Gilgamesh). A good friend would will always keep their friend positive even though they doubt themselves.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh and the Quest for Immortality

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    The beginning of the Epic finds Gilgamesh hunting immortality through the ways of old. He is trying to achieve everlasting life through the fertility of young virgins promised to another. This action by Gilgamesh caused the people of Uruk to call for the gods to restore the order which the traveler from abroad had destroyed (pg.62). From the sacred order of the goddess Aruru's mind Enkidu emerges from the profane wilderness (pg. 63). It is told that a trapper came "face to face" with the chaotic ways of Enkidu and was "frozen with fear". It is only through the love of one woman that order is brought to the life of Enkidu. He is then declared wise enough to challenge Gilgamesh and restore the order to "strong walled Uruk" (pg.65). So, when Gilgamesh is headed to the bridal bed to partake...

    Read More

  • Friendship in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic of Gilgamesh the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is very complex and necessary. Their friendship brings animal, human, and god together. Gilgamesh is changed by his friendship with Enkidu. He becomes a better person and a better ruler because of Enkidu. Enkidu’s life is enriched because of his friendship with Gilgamesh. Enkidu was created to balance out Gilgamesh, and he accomplishes this goal. The two men are very close, and love each other deeply. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu benefit from their friendship.

    Read More

  • A Summary of the Epic of Gilgamesh

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    The epic begins with Gilgamesh terrorizing the people of Uruk. They call out to the sky god Anu for help. In response Anu tells the goddess of creation, Aruru, to make an equal for Gilgamesh. Thus Aruru created Enkidu, a brute with the strength of dozens of wild animals. After being seduced by a harlot from the temple of love in Uruk, Enkidu loses his strength and wildness yet gains wisdom and understanding. The harlot offers to take him into Uruk where Gilgamesh lives, the only man worthy of Enkidu's friendship. After a brief brawl the two become devoted friends.

    Read More

More about Fighting for Friendship in the Epic "Gilgamesh"

Open Document