FREE ESSAY ON GILGAMESH

GILGAMESH

Gilgamesh is an epic of great love, followed by 
lingering grief that causes a significant change in his character. It is the story of a
person who is feared and honored, a person who loves and hates, a person who wins and
loses and a person who lives life. Although, Gilgamesh's journey is larger than life, yet
ends so commonly with death. Through Gilgamesh, the fate of mankind is revealed, and the
inevitable factor of change is expressed. 
Before the coming of Enkidu, Gilgamesh was a man of 
pure power. A being of which there was no equal match, 
Gilgamesh boasted upon his overwhelming glory and power. However, his arrogance was
accompanied with an extensive abuse of power, which led to the city of Uruk into a state
of injustice and 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.
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.
After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh tries to find 
immortality by trying to cross the ocean to find it. 
As he sounded so pathetic he rambles of his reason for 
trying to find everlasting life. Moreover, his state of 
being at this part was completely different from his 
arrogance from beginning of this epic. Gilgamesh has gone 
from arrogant to scared. Thirdly, the death of Humbaba 
changes Gilgamesh. Humbaba was evil. Many people who lived 
in the city of Uruk feared Gilgamesh. Most would say that 
Gilgamesh himself is, in fact, evil. In addition, he had 
sex with the virgins, he does what he wants, and tends to 
offend the gods. By going into the forest and facing 
Humbaba, Gilgamesh makes a name for himself and changes the 
views of the people in his city. However, the past of 
Gilgamesh does not change but the great deed of killing 
Humbaba makes him a better person because he protects his 
city. Most would say that he does this only to make a name 
for himself, but that is not the case. Gilgamesh does this 
because of his love for Enkidu and his people. 
Puzzled and searching for answers, Gilgamesh set out 
on a quest for Utnapishtim. It is on this great journey 
that Gilgamesh learns of a secret plant, which restores his 
lost youth to a man. Once again, Gilgamesh displays his 
changed character. He proclaims that he will return to Uruk 
and share the plant with his people. "I will take it to 
Uruk of the strong walls; there I will give it to the old 
men to eat," Gilgamesh said. Although Gilgamesh failed in 
returning the magical plant to his city, the signifance of 
his underlying intentions is immeasurable. Gilgamesh, the 
once arrogant and overpowering king, was now thinking of 
the well being of his people. 
Although, it should not matter as to whether or not 
our society perceives Gilgamesh as a notable hero. More 
importantly, a valuable lesson of mankind is taught through 
the Epic of Gilgamesh. Perhaps, it is love that binds our 
world together. We learn from Gilgamesh that a powerful 
companionship allows us to better analyze others and 
ourselves. Thus, the relationship between Enkidu and 
Gilgamesh should remain an inspiration to us all. 
Like Gilgamesh, our fate is to travel the journey of life, 
to slay one who is evil with the help of our gods, to 
survive and mourn some of those we love, and leave the 
world with as many good deeds as possible.