Monkey King True Identity

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The Quest for True Identity Every day we experience the need and desire to find ourselves, whether it be through sports, academics, extracurricular activities or even our own inherent abilities to be creative or funny. Our society dictates social conformities. We are encouraged to be part of groups, to form relationships with others, and to be companions with others who we connect with on certain levels. The journey of the Monkey King in American Born Chinese and Enkidu’s experience in Epic of Gilgamesh were both radically altered by a desire for companionship and love. Conflict began for the Monkey King when he tried to enter the gates of Heaven for a dinner party. Generally a peaceful monkey, one who ruled with a “firm but gentle hand”…show more content…
The Monkey King’s arrogance and feud with the King of Heaven had landed him under a pile of rocks for 500 years (Yang, American Born Chinese 84). His only way to freedom came from a humble monk sent by the King. The Monkey Kings charge was to reconcile the fact that he was indeed a monkey, to accept being the monks disciple, and to “return to your true form and you shall be freed” (Yang, American Born Chinese 145). He stubbornly refused, causing the monk to be in grave danger. As a last chance at freedom, the Monkey King returned to his true identity, saved the monk, obtained his freedom, and happily served the monk and the King of Heaven faithfully. The shift from a primitive to a civilized life with deep relationships was present in both characters. Enkidu and Gilgamesh were the “dearest of friends” (Rosenberg 192). Enkidu was brought into the life of the King, not only to serve him, but for companionship and to teach him about “generosity and wisdom” (Jager 135). The death of Enkidu, who Gilgamesh loved dearly, weighed heavily on his heart, as he had never had a companion and friend as close as…show more content…
It is though the love and compassion for another that they were able to overcome savagery and embrace a “celebration of human life” (Jager 137). Works Cited Jager, Bernd. "The Birth of Poetry and the Creation of a Human World: An Exploration of the Epic of Gilgamesh." The Journal of Phenomenological Rosenberg, Donna. "The Middle East: Introducing Gilgamesh." World Mythology: an Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. Lincolnwood, IL: NTC Pub. Group, 1999. Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "Gilgamesh." Encyclopedia of the Literature of Empire. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=ELOE090&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 5,
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