Arrogance/Pride is the Cause of Gilgamesh's Death

How many times do you hear about someone giving their life for someone else? Look at all of the men and women who gave their lives fighting for this country. I don't think any of these people wanted to die, and were missed deeply by their loved ones, but just think what might have happened if we would of lost one of the great world wars? It's safe to say, we would not have any of the freedoms that we take for granted today. The same holds true in the epic of Gilgamesh! For it is the death of Enkidu, and the pain and suffering it brought, that leads to the “death” of the old Gilgamesh and the rebirth of the new.

When we first meet Gilgamesh, the people of Uruk are very unhappy and are praying to the gods to rid them of Gilgamesh. “Gilgamesh sounds the tocsin for his amusement his arrogance has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all even the children, yet the king should be a sheppard to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble, yet this is the Sheppard of the city, wise, comely and resolute”(13). After hearing their cries, the gods create Enkidu and we are to believe, at first he will bring an end to Gilgamesh, but through the dreams of Gilgamesh we can see that Enkidu will be a good friend to him.

Around the time Enkidu appears in the forest Gilgamesh speaks to his mother Ninsum, about a dream he had about a meteor falling to earth. “ This star from heaven, which you describe like a meteor from the sky, I made it for you he is the strongest of wild creatures, the stuff of Anu, born in the grasslands and wild hills reared him. When you see him you will be glad, you will love him as a woman, and he will never forsake you”(16). Gilgamesh also talks to his mother about another dream he had, this one is about an ax he find in the street. Gilgamesh cannot understand why he feels so strongly for the ax. His mother explains: “ That ax which you saw which drew you so powerfully like the love of a woman, that is the comrade whom I give you, and he will come in his strength like one of the host of heaven. He is the brave companion who rescues his friend in necessity”(16).

After hearing this, Gilgamesh feels a little confused. He does not know how to act, Gilgamesh has never had any feeling toward anybody but himself, and now all of a sudden he is to befriend this counselor from the gods. The two do not get off on the right foot they actually get into a fight. During the fight Gilgamesh and Enkidu throw each other around pretty good, but Gilgamesh ...