Gilgamesh And Enkidu

1351 Words6 Pages
Wanda Aldridge Dr. Wei Yan English 2111 14 April 2008 Gilgamesh and Enkidu: A Comparison and Contrast of Characters The main characters in the epic of Gilgamesh, is Gilgamesh himself and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are alike in several ways, especially in the strength and loyalty. However, they are equally as different in their backgrounds and mannerisms. This paper will explore the character traits and other forces that make them similar, yet unique. Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk which is modern day Iraq. Gilgamesh is the child of Lugulbanda, a divine king, and Ninsun. He was "Two thirds they made him god and one third man". Although he was a powerful king, he was not a great king. He had some good traits, such as being a leader, and fighting evil powers but he tormented his people. The people of the Uruk prayed to Anu, the sky god, to provide them relief from the tyranny of Gilgamesh. The sky god provides relief in the form of a man named Enkidu who has phenomenal strength. Enkidu was created from the clay of the earth to take Gilgamesh’s mind of the people of Uruk. Enkidu was a man of the wilderness. He ran with the deer in the forest and fed with them as well. He was considered half man, half animal. The two men started out as enemies and challenged each other in a bout of strength. Since no one emerges as a clear winner, they become friends and travel together sharing many adventures. One similarity that the two main characters share is strength. Gilgamesh is described as being a hero, “who knew the most of all men” and “the strongest one of all, the perfect, the terror” (Gilgamesh, pg. 4). Due to Gilgamesh being two thirds god, his strength was great. He lacked a peer, a worthy opponent. “Who can say, as Gilgamesh may, “I am supreme” (Jackson, 13). Enkidu is formed to test Gilgamesh’s abilities and be his equal. “You created

More about Gilgamesh And Enkidu

Open Document