The Relationship Between Gilgamesh and Enkidu - Literary Analysis Essay

Introduction

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the most important writings of Babylonian ancient literature, is the Epic of Gilgamesh. Its central theme is man's condition on earth as a mortal being. Two myths are important in the epic. One is the quest to immortality and the story of the flood. This story was related to Gilgamesh, by Utanapishtim, who is also its survivor. The symbolic meanings of this text are very significant in the context of their friendship, Gilgamesh & Enkidu. Their friendship is a symbol of human relationships and brotherhood. Enkidu and Gilgamesh are brothers and friends. They also help each other in their heroic feats and have a close bond. Gilgamesh becomes dejected after Enkidu's death, which he initially accepts as normal for mankind. He then embarks on a journey to immortality. Gilgamesh's sudden concern for his own fate, and the fate of humanity in general, when Enkidu dies, means that the relationship with Enkidu is part of his initiation. Enkidu is more than just a brother or friend to Gilgamesh. He is also a mirror of himself, a second self that Gilgamesh sees in him.

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In the first place, Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's relationship is a special and intimate connection between two people. Both friends are bonded by a deep brotherly love that often has sexual undertones. The mother of Gilgamesh interprets Enkidu's dreams and says that the two are already united by a strong bond. (See: "There will come a powerful man, a friend who saves his friend I.249) This story also highlights the extraordinary power relationship between them. It is evident that their relationship goes beyond human friendship and love. Their relationship has many other important signs. Enkidu was sent by the gods to Gilgamesh so that he could have a companion, a equal in strength, and heroism. This suggests that Enkidu is more than just a companion for Gilgamesh. 44-47) Enkidu also considers Gilgamesh a friend, but he is more than that. He "becomes aware" of himself and seeks out a friend. (I. 194) For both of them, the friendship between them is a mirror for themselves and their humanity.

Gilgamesh has very important dreams about Enkidu's arrival: he sees him as a meteorite, and an axe. The first symbol is clearly connected to the idea destiny: "...and a type of meteorite(?) I. 230) Enkidu appears to be a part Gilgamesh’s destiny. It is also important to note the sexual undertones in the relationship between them. Gilgamesh has dreams about Enkidu like he was his wife. Enkidu and Gilgamesh also meet in symbolic situations. Enkidu confronts Gilgamesh, who wants to enter the marital chamber of the bride before the husband. Enkidu was sent to the world as a companion for Gilgamesh, and as a way to stop him from having sexual affairs with women in Uruk. The husband and wife union, which seems to unify the men, is a sign that they have more than a friendly relationship. They are one and the exact same person, just as husband and wife are supposed be for each other. They are close friends, brothers and comrades, but they also love each other.

It is important to note the significant journey of Enkidu and Gilgamesh on their initiation to defeat the giant Humbaba who guards the Cedar Forest. They are friends who face death together and seek immortality through fame. (II. Enkidu is prompted by Gilgamesh to embark on this journey because Enkidu is afraid of dying. (II. The two embark on a journey together to conquer death and attain eternal fame. Enkidu saves Gilgamesh from the giant's deceitful attempts to make him believe he can live. However, Enkidu is forced to die by the gods. He dies after only a few days. It is clear that the difficult separation between them shows that it is hard for them to accept that death is inevitable. Enkidu asked: "O brother dear brother, why are they absolving/my brother)" (VII). 14) Their common lamentation suggests that they don't see life as meaningful if it is not with their friends. Even more important is the fact Gilgamesh appears to accept his friend's death at first, and attempts to console him by telling of the honors that he will bring him after he passes away. However, when it actually happens, the hero seems to have a better understanding of human fate in general. It is clear that Enkidu was like a second person to him, as evidenced by his desperate search for immortality. He will never be reunited with Enkidu if he achieves immortality. Gilgamesh mourns desperately for his friend and make the whole city mourn for him also: "He will seat you in the seat of ease, the seat at his left,/ so that the princes of the world kiss your feet./ He will have the people of Uruk go into mourning and moaning over you..."(VII.131) The cries of pain that he utters for his friend and the honors he brings him, such as the gold monument that he erects for him all point to the real significance of the event: Enkidu had been much more than a friend to Gilgamesh, he has been almost a part of him: "Hear me, O Elders of Uruk, hear me, O men!/ I mourn for Enkidu, my friend,/ I shriek in anguish like a mourner."(VIII.31-32) The wedding images persist even after Enkidu's death, and Gilgamesh still thinks about him as if he had been his wife: "He covered his friend's face like a bride,/ swooping down over him like an eagle/ and like a lioness deprived of her cubs/ he keeps pacing to and fro."(VIII. 46) This is why Gilgamesh's outbursts of pain are justified by their strong relationship. His anxiety over his own death, however, meant that Gilgamesh viewed Enkidu as an alter ego, a mirror of himself and not as a friend. Enkidu's passing is for Gilgamesh both a reminder of what is coming to him and a continuation of his mortality. It is clear that Gilgamesh's desperate search for eternal life is triggered by the realization that he is exactly like Enkidu, which means that he will also die in the same manner: "I am going!-am I not like Enkidu!" (IX.2)

Conclusion

In The Epic of Gilgamesh the relationship between Gilgamesh & Enkidu is a perfect example of human friendship, communion, and a reminder that all human lives have the same destiny. Enkidu is Gilgamesh's mirror, and his pain at his death teaches Gilgamesh that he must also die.

Reference List

Kovacs, M. G. tr. 1989. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Stanford University Press.