Enkidu's Death In 'The Epic Of Gilgamesh'

All humans must die, as they die the ones left behind suffer. The title of the epic is Gilgamesh, and the author is unknown. The story took place around 2700 B.C.E., The story starts with two men who are equals, becoming friends. One named Gilgamesh and the other Enkidu, Gilgamesh the cruel corrupt one, and Enkidu the gentle innocent one. The men go on a quest together to kill Humbaba this brings them closer emotionally and builds their character. Enkidu dies, as a consequence of killing Humbaba, his death shows Gilgamesh many things about himself and the world. The death of Enkidu helps Gilgamesh to become less self-centered, search for immortality, and to find satisfaction. The death of Enkidu helped Gilgames to become a less self-centred person. At the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh is raping women on their wedding night, being a tyrant, and abusing people, "sometimes he pushed his people half to death" (16). His people thought he was a disgusting and cruel man. When Enkidu comes around Gilgamesh realizes he has finally met his equal. Gilgamesh and Enkidu become friends, as they do they learn things from one another. Gilgamesh learns from Enkidus kind and respectful ways, in turn becoming a better person. …show more content…
Does Gilgamesh search for a physical immortality or a spiritual immortality? Gilgamesh wishes to give the flower of immortality to the elders of the city to rejuvenate them and return the youth to the kingdom of Uruk. This is a show of selflessness and concern for his people, it is a sight that might not have been seen before his meeting with Enkidu and his influence on Gilgamesh, which changed his view of life. Gilgamesh had a realization, "As if this one had fought within himself a battle He would never know, that still went on" (80). He realized immortality was not the cure for his