How Did Gilgamesh Influence Enkidu's Journey?

As a result of Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh makes a final journey to find spiritual fulfillment and self- discovery. The following days after Enkidu passed Gilgamesh mourned and cried out, “ Hear me, O young men, listen to me, / Hear me, O elders of Uruk, Listen to me!/ I mourn my friend Enkidu,” (VIII. 36-38) in addition to calling out to Enkidu, “Come back to me! You hear me not.” (VIII. 50) This is the point in the Epic where an affectionate side of Gilgamesh is shown. Although Gilgamesh mourns he also becomes very angry, “Tearing out and hurling away the locks of his hair, / Ripping off and throwing away his fine clothes like something foul.” (VIII. 57-58). This is when Gilgamesh takes out on a journey of his own. He commands a “... blacksmith, lapidary, metal worker, goldsmiths,

/ Make an image of my friend, Such as no one ever made of his friend!” (VIII. 61-63) He then creates “... the ultimate resting place, in a perfect resting place…” (VIII. 64-65) for Enkidu to lay. Gilgamesh feeling so passionate about the influence Enkidu left on him, he feels the needs to make sure Enkidu’s legacy lives on forever. This being the reason Gilgamesh starts his journey “ Towards Utanapishtim…” (IX.7) to find a way to become immortal. Gilgamesh first comes in counter with “[...the scorpion monsters who guard the gateway to the sun’s passage through the mountains.]” (IX) who told him he has 12 hours to pass through the tunnel. When Gilgamesh get to the end, “ He went forward, seeing the trees of the gods./ The carnelian bore its fruit,/ Like bunches of grapes dangling, lovely to see…” (IX.77-79) basically rebirthing Gilgamesh like in the bible when Adam and Eve ate from the tree in the garden. From then, Gilgamesh makes it to the tavern of Siduri, who is at first frightened of Gilgamesh, but sees the pain he’s going through and is willing to talk to