Examples Of Sacrifice In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Mesopotamia, better known as present-day Iraq. It was written on cuneiform tablets between 2,700 B.C.E. and 600 B.C. This story displays examples of love, religion, and sacrifice between two ancient heroes. In this epic, two kings, Gilgamesh and Enkidu go through many challenges that test their character, strength, and end up changing them by the end of the novel. This story is named after King Gilgamesh, who ruled the city of Uruk around 2,700 B.C.E. He was two-thirds divine and one-third human, and he exceeded all kings. He was powerful and brave; however, the control he had over the city caused him to be disheartened, arrogant, and selfish. King Gilgamesh was built strong and took advantage of his authority. He misused his power and ruled through tyranny. Nobody in the city would defy him because they were afraid of him. He did not realize the damage that his overbearing ways of ruling caused; this is his obstacle throughout the story.
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She became offended, so she wanted to destroy his land and kill him. This became Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s second major quest. Ishtar went up to the heavens to get the Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh. When she came down, Enkidu and Gilgamesh destroyed the bull. After this battle, Enkidu dreamed about death. The gods did not like the act that the two kings performed, so they gathered and decided that one of the two kings had to die as punishment. Gilgamesh tried to reinterpret the dream to calm Enkidu. A few days passed and Enkidu became sick. Gilgamesh stated, “Beloved, wait, don’t leave me. Dearest of men, don’t die, don’t let them take you from me” (Mitchell 150). Enkidu was doomed and soon faced death. Gilgamesh lost his companion and would now have to learn how to be alone once again. This was a major turning point in the story for Gilgamesh. He was broken. He wept and mourned for his friend,