Response Paper Gilgamesh Essay

The Epic of Gilgamesh is very complex, but it is also con boldnessred adept of the sterling(prenominal) epics in the Western literature. In the story we send packing find some(prenominal) contradictions, from which I chose the friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh.The story of Gilgamesh starts off by the verbal description of Gilgamesh, the strongest one of all,the perfect,the terror (Ferry 4). Initially, Gilgamesh appeared as someone who isnt able to maintain feelings nor relationships. Although he fought with Enkidu, once Gilgamesh tested his opponents strength, he decided to let him into his sphere becoming best friends. Some plenty would say that Gilgamesh is using Enkidu for his journeys, which we rotter see when he allows the hunter to take his prostitute and bring him. He did this for nonhing in return, where we deal notice that he already had a plan for Enkidu. Whilst this is correct in some points there are other(a) things involved that prove differently.In the beggining of the story, Enkidu was make by the goddess Arura in evidence to punish Gilgamesh with the same wild and stormy heart as Gilgamesh has. Having this into consideration, Enkidu owes intent to Gilgamesh, or at least shall be thankful to Gilgamesh for his own existing. Also, the people shall be grateful for their city, because Gilgamesh is the one who opened passes through mountains and who dug deeply wells on the mountainsides (Ferry 4). This indicates the strength of Gilgamesh and values he had in the city. one time friends, Enkidu has started living differently, not like the wild beast he use to be. Enkidu is lucky for the friendship he has gotten from Gilgamesh, but it has also costed him. Gilgamesh has always treasured immortality and fame in the city, and because of his wish Enkidu is the one who has suffered.Before going to Cedar Forest, Enkidu is the one who was discussing with the Elders about the dangers of the trip. One doesnt notice anywhere in the text edit ion how Enkidu knew about dangers of the trip and the keeper of the Cedar Forest, the demon Huwawa. This is the privilege that Gilgamesh does not have. Furthermore, throughout the trip, Enkidu is the one who was communicating with the paragon of the sun, their protector, Shamash. Aditionally, the Elders are advicing Gilgamesh tolet Enkidu go first and find the water to quench (Ferry 19) his thirst and offers to the God. This is a salient(p) advantage/value for the Enkidu, since he is the one communicating with the Gods and able to spang the road. Further in the story, their friendship becomes stronger, once they share their strenghts and weaknesses, courage and fear.The well-nigh intriguing thing in the whole story is the heroic side of Enkidu. The true friendship and faithfulty to Gilgamesh are his biggest values. Once in battle with the demon Huwawa, Gilgamesh was scared of the speed Huwawa was possessing and, once Gilgamesh saw his face, he hid away, in some cases even we eped. In each time, despite the dangerous cicumstances, Enkidu had truehearted mind and knew what he had to do, which is show Gilgamesh he was not alone, Two people, companions, they can prevail together against the terror (Ferry 26). Going futher into the story we are determination out that, because of killing Humwawa and Bull of Heaven, the Gods have decided to punish Enkidu,although God of Sun Shamas tried to save him. He had the protection of the God, because he was two-dimensional into this trip. Initially, the mother of Gilgamesh, Rimat-Ninsun, just before the trip has hit the biggest weakness of Enkidu, Enkidu has uncomplete father nor mother (Ferry 13).This proves the fact that he had no choice remaining because he was feeling worthless and there was no other declaration but to go to this dangerous trip. Even at the end, when Enkidu knew he was bandaged for punishment, he did not have selfish heart, he accepted it and stayed loyal to Gilgamesh. This has me thinking, w ho is the real hero? By whose name should the book be named rather? By the great strenght and power Gilgamesh, or the loyal, great guide who saturnine into hero with his actions? Did Enkidu think he owed his life to Gilgamesh, or he did not want to go against the will of the Gods? Considering many tablets are not recovered, which made the text incomplete, there is complexity to this friendship and many questions that need to be answered.Here, after Enkidu dying, we also get the feeling of Gilgamesh being selfish, and not manner of speaking his friend. As soon as Enkidu has died, and Gilgamesh saw a worm dropping out of his nose, he saw the reality where this can happen to him too. He was determined to find immortality. Although on anew selfish quest, we can see his true grieving for a friend, a brother. Every separate Gilgamesh encounters with can see that he is full of sorrow. This is where the prevalent repetition happens. At first, I thought it was a literary element only. Ho wever, how the story grew, the consequence of the repetition grew also. It became the emphasis of Gilgameshs sorrows. It keeps being repetead to keep our mind on the soft-hearted Gilgamesh, who authentically grieves for Enkidu, who undoubtfely deserved it. It is engraved in our memory that he is truly lonely and has lost someone who was a big part of his life. plainly even so, that little part in the back of my mind is yet set on Gilgamesh not urging for Enkidus sparing.In a conclusion, friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is far more than important in this great epic. The contradictions are tempting to discuss, and because of the missing tablets, there will always be some questions. However, although Gilgamesh did not get his immortality, this prominent story, through many centuries, emphatically has.