How Did Gilgamesh Life Change

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The Epic of Gilgamesh The epic’s prelude offers a general introduction to Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, who was half god and half man. He built magnificent towers, surrounded his city with high walls. He was powerful king, and great worrier, but he had one problem which is carrying away with his power. We see Gilgamesh act in many different ways as an overbearing ruler resented by his people, a courageous and strong fighter, a deflated, depressed man, and finally as a man who seems content with what he's accomplished. Through all of these transitions, we see Gilgamesh's attitude toward life change. The goals he has for his own life alter dramatically, and it is in these goals that we see Gilgamesh's transition from being a shallow, ruthless ruler…show more content…
He was raping any women, whether she was the wife of one of his warriors or the daughter of a nobleman. “ He himself howls through sacred places where his sacrilege is hidden from the view of youngsters.” (page 3). The gods heard his subjects’ and decided to keep Gilgamesh in check by creating a wild man named Enkidu, who was as magnificent as Gilgamesh. Enkidu became Gilgamesh’s great friend. Gilgamesh and Enkidu decide to fight a terrifying demon named Humbaba, because he was standing on their way to meet gods. The two heroes managed to kill Humbaba. “ Gilgamesh swiftly cut the breast, splattering blood upon his cloak and sandals.” (page 34). On their way they met with Ishtar, the goddess of love, is overcome with lust for Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh rejects her. Enraged, the goddess asks her father, Anu, the god of the sky, to deal with Gilgamesh and Enkidu. “ Make him stop! Loose the bull who could trample him at once. Let the bull spill his blood.” (Page 40). Gilgamesh and Enkidu wrestle with the bull that Anu sent and kill it. The act of killing the bull made the gods made so they decided to kill Enkidu. “The gods all gathered round last night and Anu told Enlil that one of us should die because of what we’ve done against their names.” (page 44). When he finally dies, Gilgamesh is heartbroken. And he felt so bad for his friend and himself because he lost his only friend. Gilgamesh determine to find Utnapishtim hoping that Utnapishtim can tell him how he might avoid death too. Utnapishtim’s wife convinces him to tell Gilgamesh about a plant that restores youth. Gilgamesh finds the plant and takes it with him, But a snake steals the plant one night while he was camping. Then he returned to his city as a respectful and wise

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