Epic of Gilgamesh Essay
Throughout his career, Gilgamesh changes in some ways after meeting Enkidu. On the one hand even with his soul mate, he does nothing to alleviate his terrible behavior towards people. His prideful disposition and sociopathic tendencies lead him to his downfall. On the other hand, his love and compassion towards Enkidu redeems only a part of the king’s personality.
Even after meeting his other half Enkidu, Gilgamesh continues with his arrogant behavior. He views himself as superior to the “curs”, and possibly to the gods themselves. He maintains his short-temper and self-entitlement shown when using violence to get what he wants. His massive strength discourages any dissenters; they are helpless against his demands for …show more content…
Whether he gathers all the world’s treasures or sleeps with the women in his governing territory, he does it on a whim. He never assesses the consequences that his actions would inflict on him. This reckless behavior shows not only when he rejects the proposal of marriage to a full-blooded goddess, Ishtar, he scorns her. He cites the fates of Ishtar’s failed romances, explaining she has a terrible personality for a wife. This provoked Ishtar extremely. So much, she begged her father to lend her the Bull of Heaven to crush Gilgamesh, just out of spite. The struggle ended with Enkidu’s death as retribution for killing the bull with Gilgamesh, though the king was spared for reasons unknown. Enkidu’s death greatly impacts him in the …show more content…
He neglected his kingdom to search for Utnapishtim, the man who achieved immortality. He journeyed very far, slaying and threatening everyone and everything in his way, and crossing the waters, just to meet this immortal king. It was all for naught in the end, when a snake from the river snatched away the herb (Sanders, 1972) pg.117.
Over the course of the story, the king of Uruk showed no remorse for his actions. Gilgamesh would disrespect anyone he doesn’t deem “worthy”. He also never behaves chivalrously towards women, viewing them as a harem whom he can bed with and hold power over. He laments about losing Enkidu but never seems to blame himself for part of it. His insolence towards a divine, yet brash being was what indirectly caused this tragedy. He displays his anger when the winemaker says for him to give up the journey. (Sanders, 1972) pg. 103. He didn’t even properly apologize to Ushanbi for axing his boat in his
Throughout his career, Gilgamesh changes in some ways after meeting Enkidu. On the one hand even with his soul mate, he does nothing to alleviate his terrible behavior towards people. His prideful disposition and sociopathic tendencies lead him to his downfall. On the other hand, his love and compassion towards Enkidu redeems only a part of the king’s personality.
Even after meeting his other half Enkidu, Gilgamesh continues with his arrogant behavior. He views himself as superior to the “curs”, and possibly to the gods themselves. He maintains his short-temper and self-entitlement shown when using violence to get what he wants. His massive strength discourages any dissenters; they are helpless against his demands for …show more content…
Whether he gathers all the world’s treasures or sleeps with the women in his governing territory, he does it on a whim. He never assesses the consequences that his actions would inflict on him. This reckless behavior shows not only when he rejects the proposal of marriage to a full-blooded goddess, Ishtar, he scorns her. He cites the fates of Ishtar’s failed romances, explaining she has a terrible personality for a wife. This provoked Ishtar extremely. So much, she begged her father to lend her the Bull of Heaven to crush Gilgamesh, just out of spite. The struggle ended with Enkidu’s death as retribution for killing the bull with Gilgamesh, though the king was spared for reasons unknown. Enkidu’s death greatly impacts him in the …show more content…
He neglected his kingdom to search for Utnapishtim, the man who achieved immortality. He journeyed very far, slaying and threatening everyone and everything in his way, and crossing the waters, just to meet this immortal king. It was all for naught in the end, when a snake from the river snatched away the herb (Sanders, 1972) pg.117.
Over the course of the story, the king of Uruk showed no remorse for his actions. Gilgamesh would disrespect anyone he doesn’t deem “worthy”. He also never behaves chivalrously towards women, viewing them as a harem whom he can bed with and hold power over. He laments about losing Enkidu but never seems to blame himself for part of it. His insolence towards a divine, yet brash being was what indirectly caused this tragedy. He displays his anger when the winemaker says for him to give up the journey. (Sanders, 1972) pg. 103. He didn’t even properly apologize to Ushanbi for axing his boat in his