The Epic of Gilgamesh
| There once was a fellow named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was a phenomenal individual. He was one third man and two thirds god. Due to his special abilities, Gilgamesh felt he was worthy of everyone's praise, and therefore bossed everyone around. The citizens of Uruk were displeased with Gilgamesh's behavior and asked the gods for help. The gods responded by sending a man named Enkidu, who was a double of Gilgamesh. Enkidu lived in the forest with all the animals, and was a wild savage. One day Gilgamesh sent a hunter and a beautiful woman to the forest, planning to distract Enkidu from the animals. The hunter left, and Enkidu and the woman became good friends. Enkidu was turned into a man, and he left with the woman for Uruk. When Enkidu entered the city, the citizens praised him as if he were king. Gilgamesh heard of Enkidu's entrance, and soon became jealous. When the two men encountered one another, they immediately began to fight. As the fight ended, each stood up, and each saw them self in the other's eyes. They embraced and immediately became friends. The two men got to know each other, and then decided to go on a quest seeking fame. Gilgamesh and Enkidu decided to challenge Humbaba, the guardian-demon of the cedar forest. Gilgamesh and Enkidu prepared for their battle against Humbaba. They went to a temple and the god Ninsun performed a ritual for their protection. As the two heroes left for their journey, the elders of the city turn over Gilgamesh to Enkidu's care. Enkidu and Gilgamesh walked for many days towards the cedar forest. As they were walking Gilgamesh started to have some doubts. However, Enkidu reassured Gilgamesh and encouraged him. As they approached the gates of the cedar forest Enkidu started to feel afraid. This time Gilgamesh insisted on continuing the journey. The men spend a couple of nights wondering through the forest. Finally the men meet Humbaba. As the men strike, Humbaba pleads for his life. Enkidu advises Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba. Gilgamesh strikes him, but Enkidu delivers the final blow. The men returned to Uruk pleased with their accomplishments. When they returned the goddess Ishtar spoke to Gilgamesh. She told him that she wanted to become friends with him. Gilgamesh insults the goddess, and refuses his offer. Ishtar is frustrated with Gilgamesh, so she asks her father Anu to send the Bull of Heaven to punish Gilgamesh, so she asks her father Anu to send the Bull of Heaven descended from above Gilgamesh and Enkidu immediately began to fight. Much like the confrontation with Humbaba, Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeated the Bull of Heaven. The men briefly celebrated, again happy with their achievements. As Enkidu was asleep that night he had a dream. He dreamed that he was going to be punished severely for the cruel acts that Gilgamesh and he had committed against Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. The next day Enkidu became extremely sick. Enkidu was slowly dying, but Gilgamesh stood by his side. Gilgamesh supported Enkidu, and was with him every moment of his suffering. Finally, Enkidu dies due to the strange sickness. Gilgamesh was very sad about the death of his friend. He mourned many days afterwards. At the funeral Gilgamesh recounts the wonderful experiences he had with Enkidu, and greatly praises his friend. Gilgamesh dedicates a statue in Enkidu's memory as well as performs a ritual for Enkidu to have a good afterlife. As time proceeds, Gilgamesh becomes scared of his own death. He decides that he is going to take a trip to visit Utnapishtim, a man who is undying. Gilgamesh begins his journey to visit this man, a journey that no man has ever made. As he is traveling, he passes through the Garden of the Gods. He also meets a woman named Siduri. She informs Gilgamesh that the journey is very dangerous and again tells him that no man has ever made the journey. Regardless, Gilgamesh continues on the journey. After a brief amount of time Gilgamesh comes upon the waters of death. At first he is skeptical in being able to cross the waters, however he bargains with the boatman, Urshanabi, who takes Gilgamesh across the waters. Gilgamesh finally meets Utnapishtim. He speaks with him questioning death. Utnapishtim responds by giving Gilgamesh the answer he does not want; he informs Gilgamesh that every man must die, and life is not permanent. Utnapishtim then challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh fails this challenge, resulting in his having to go home. As he is leaving Utnapishtim gives Gilgamesh a plant called "The-Old-Man-Will-Be-Made-Young". Gilgamesh secures it well, but then loses it when a serpent takes it away. Gilgamesh returns home knowing that every man must some day be taken from the natural world, and experience the spirits of afterlife. |
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