Humbaba's Death In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

“Because they slew the Bull of Heaven, and slew Humbaba…between [Gilgamesh and Enkidu] let one of them die” (The Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet 7.5-8)! In the poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh, demi-god and king of Uruk, suffers a tragic loss as his close friend, Enkidu, who assisted him in building an “eternal name,” is sentenced to death. Subsequent to the slaying of the monstrous guardian of the Cedar Forest, Humbaba, and the Bull of Heaven, the gods choose Enkidu to pay the ultimate price in Gilgamesh’s place in abidance to the Ancient Sumerian law code’s central belief of an “eye for an eye.” The forthcoming death of Enkidu leads to the demi-god, Gilgamesh, providing Enkidu with precious materials for the Netherworld as well as constructing a statue of his friend honoring his life and the comradery they shared. Gilgamesh’s reaction to his friend’s impending death reflects Ancient Sumerian law as he accepts the gods’ decision to kill Enkidu as a consequence to the slaying of Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven and ultimately, chooses not to intercede and save his friend’s life. …show more content…
As Gilgamesh reacts to the news of the inevitable death of his beloved friend, it is seen evident that as a demi-god and king, he values Ancient Sumerian law and culture as he prepares Enkidu for the Netherworld with precious materials and chooses not to intervene with the gods’ council in order to prevent Enkidu’s