The Forest Journey Gilgamesh Analysis

Gilgamesh had great power and strength. With these attributes he ruled as if no man could stand up to him and he was correct in thinking that. He was a womanizer and a brute king, with no regard for his people. But, slowly after many encounters with Gods and humans alike, he transformed into someone who understood friendship and the quality of life. Gilgamesh began to understand that the quality of life and who you spend it with are the most important lessons through his travels and trials with Enkidu and his meeting with Utnapishtim The people of Uruk prayed to the Gods for mercy from Gilgamesh’s savage rule. The gods responded by creating a human who equaled Gilgamesh. This man, Enkidu, made his way to the city of Uruk and confronted Gilgamesh about how he treated his people. They fought with all their power and might. Enkidu lost the fight, but gained the respect of Gilgamesh. The meeting of the two men was Gilgamesh’s first sign of change. He had someone who could challenge his rule and tell him the honest truth. In the beginning, Enkidu became Gilgamesh’s conscience. The Forest Journey was the two …show more content…
But, the biggest transformation in Gilgamesh comes after the fight with the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu throws the Bull of Heaven’s genitals at Ishtar and the god is enraged. Gilgamesh becomes a completely different man after Enkidu falls sick and eventually dies from the sickness given to him by Ishtar. Enkidu was an example for Gilgamesh, because Enkidu had become just like Gilgamesh. Enkidu says to Gilgamesh, “It was I who cut down the cedar, I who levelled the forest, I who slew Humbaba and now see what has become of me.” (Sanders 64) This line depicts how Enkidu resembles Gilgamesh and the eventual price he paid for it. After much mourning, Gilgamesh grows his hair long and wears furs much like Enkidu at the beginning of the story. He has seen his fowl manner and decides to refine his