Marquita Noel-Price

HIS 120: MW 10AM

3/23/15

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Andrew Georges translation of The Epic of Gilgamesh, is a classic poem from ancient
Mesopotamia that sets a strong foundation for historical literature. The author develops two
characters that are similar to each other, which are Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Shamhut is a
prostitute that becomes attracted to Enkidu and brings everyone together by her sensual ways.
She is like the snake in the most beautiful garden, but one is blinded by the beauty that reflects
off of her from the garden, which creates the struggle of life and death, friendship and love, and
grief and loss.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, brings light to the ancient Mesopotamia, which had many aspects
of language, communication, kings, leadership, religion, social organization, and harsh
unpredictable behaviors. Language was a significant piece if ancient Mesopotamia because it
was a form of communication, which they used by symbols, pictures, and art. Ancient
Mesopotamia throughout the text gives one a perspective on how they viewed life, death,
friendships, love, kingship, and survival. This ancient civilization is epic because the importance
of the story had been passed on from generation to generations because people in general can
relate to many aspects of the story told, such as friendship and love.
Friendship and love is an important factor in The Epic of Gilgamesh in regards to people
in his life that made him who he was.

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Gilgamesh, king of the city of Uruk, Ninsyn, a goddess, his mother, Enkidu, his friend
and companion, Shamhat, a prostitute of Uruk, Shamash, the Sun God, Hymbaba, the
guardian of the Forest of Cedar, Ishtar, the principal goddess of Uruk, Shiduri, a minor
Goddess of wisdom, Ur-shanabi, the ferryman of Uta-napishti, Uta-napishti, survivor of
the flood.1
The relationship between Enkidu and Shamhat was sexual as stated in the poem.
Shamhut unfastened the cloth of her loins, she bared her sex and he took in her charms.
She did not recoil, she took in his scent: she spread her clothing and he lay upon her. She
did for the man the work of a women, his passion caressed and embraced her. For six
days and seven nights, Enkidu was erect, as he coupled with Shamhat.2
This demonstrated the power of a women and how this tempest can take control and give
Enkidu ideas about how he can rule and go against Gilgamesh physically and give him a
challenge. It also brings forth a different perspective on relationships whether one is having
sexual relationships with the opposite sex and or same sex. The relationship after the fight with
Gilgamesh and Enkidu, it ended with a kiss and a friendship for life and Gilgamesh mom
accepted Enkidu into the family. So throughout the text the role of a man and women would alter
between the two in the beginning when they were leaving town and going off to battle.
Gilgamesh had fear of going to battle and Endiku was there to tell him to fear not because things
are different and he has his back. As they got further and battles became plenty, the bond that
they had grew stronger and love became present.

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The love is evident, when Enkidu became extremely weak and dies, which crushed
Gilgamesh tremendously. The text states, My god has taken against me, my friend. I do not die
like one who falls in the midst of battle. I was afraid of combat, and my friend, one who falls in
combat, and shall make not my name." 3 Gilgamesh clearly did not understand why his friend
was taken away, which leads to the Endikus funeral. Hear me, O young men, hear me! Hear
me, o elders of teeming Uruk, hear me! I shall weep for Enkidu, my friend, like a hired mournerwomen I shall bitterly wail. 4 Gilgamesh also went as far as setting the funeral arrangements up
with the best of silver, gold, obsidian, and linens. The power of love and companionship creates
a foundation for others to witness and give a perspective on how one responds to death and the
aftermath of life after death. The appearance of Gilgamesh was noticed by many whom he tried
to find his way to Uta-napishti, as stated in the text.
Why are your cheeks so hollow, your face so sunken, your mood so wretched, and your
visage so wasted? Why in your heart does sorrow reside, and your face resemble one
come from afar? Why are your features burnt by the frost and by sunshine, and why do
you wander the wild in the lions garb? 5
Gilgamesh was lost emotionally and physically and his way of coping with the reality of
Endiku's death was to get lost in the world and trying to figure out a solution. This further
demonstrates the animal, human, god perspective. Everyone has a way or tradition of dealing
with the aftermath, which makes one intelligent and human, whether one recognizes it at first or
not. We have that realization of connection and where and who we as humans derived from. It
brings light to family ties, leaving a legacy, and having personal morals.

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In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the issues of life and death was a huge focus point of the
poem. Life and death is the beginning and the end, the tears are triggered because of being
overwhelmed with joy because of the creation of life and the tears of failure and sadness because
of the passing of a family member. The life cycle is natural and everyone knows the reality, yet
when faced with it, the struggle is definitely real. The struggle with life in the epic of Gilgamesh
is the idea of part man, part god and setting a solid foundation. The grief Gilgamesh experienced
set him on a mission to figure out life. His journey took him through many places and he
interacted with many people giving him a task to accomplish and if he succeeded then his
journey would continue. Every time Gilgamesh encountered another person they would ask why
he does look so distraught and Gilgamesh will go through this entire spill about his life kingship
and when Endiku was with him and all the battles they went through and now he is basically left
alone to find Uta-napishti. An example of a task Gilgamesh had to attempt was diving into the
ocean to retrieve an item without getting attacked by a sea creature. Some of the task were
simple, but others were not; however, Gilgamesh did not care because he was focused on his
destination or goal, which many readers can relate to.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, brings awareness to reality of our day and time. History sets a
foundation for the way humans respond to everything. There are political aspects of society that
brings structure and division, in relation to the gods, semi-gods, sun gods, and kingship. It also
forms communities based on class, skills, inheritance, and ethnicity. There is always a beginning
and end, the alpha and omega, first and last, and our journey through life is in between. That
journey can be filled with guidance, structure, traditions, morals and success or it can be filled

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with destruction, confusion, and all he negatives factors one can incorporate, which makes this
story so significant and it hits close to home.