The Epic of Gilgamesh was written between c.2150-1400 BCE in the ancient city of Mesopotamia meaning “between two rivers”. The epic is also considered one of the worlds first great works of literature. From the beginning to the end of the epic, many themes are expressed through the text, but one in particular that stands out is the effect of civilization on humanity. The effect of civilization on humanity was a reoccurring theme in the story in regards to one of the main characters, Enkidu. Throughout the epic, many questions arise around the idea of civilization, is civilization a good thing, or is it bad, what is gained though civilization or what is lost? All these questions in regard to epic shed light on the true relationship between civilization
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Enkidu was seduced by the power of Shamhat and her beauty, he has sex with her for six days and seven nights and he did this to satisfy one thing and one thing only, his desires. That very moment was when Enkidu was first exposed to civilization. Once the encounter was over the things that Enkidu was able to do like run with the animals and do the things that they could was a thing of the past, “When with her delights he was fully sated, he turned his gaze to his herd. The gazelles saw Enkidu, they started to run, the beasts of the field shied away from his presence. Enkidu had defiled his body so pure, his legs stood still, though his herd was in motion. Enkidu was weakened, could not run as before, but now he has reason, and wide understanding” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 8). This quote represents a major turning point in Enkidu’s life because he is now no longer the once pure, innocent soul he once was. From Enkidu’s exposer to civilization, he loses his innocence as well as his purity, he no longer can run with the animals or do the things the that he once was able to do. In contrast, he develops reasoning and wide understanding of everything around him, but Daoist say that he has become more closed minded as a result. Reason is just another way humans label objects and actions, is a justification for an action or an event. In other words, he has gained the ability to label things and …show more content…
In this passage, Enkidu wants to challenge the mighty king Gilgamesh to prove that he is the mightiest of all the land where as in the past, he would not take part in a silly contest in order to prove his superiority over another being. At the same time, though, Enkidu ends up developing an unmatched relationship with Gilgamesh that he otherwise would have never experienced if he was still back in the wild running with the animals. In connection to the bible, though this may be far stretched, as the story progresses Enkidu starts doing things that he believes is right based on his worries/beliefs which shows Enikdu’s lack of faith with nature and/or the gods. For example, Enkidu takes it upon himself to help Gilgamesh conquer Humbaba because he does not believe Gilgamesh can do it by himself, nor does he think nature or “God” will help Gilgamesh in his quest (not believing they will provide). So by providing Gilgamesh with help and guidance, Enkidu believes that he is now the actor and controller his fate as well as others fate instead of nature or “God” being in control. Which as a result, is the complete opposite of
Enkidu was seduced by the power of Shamhat and her beauty, he has sex with her for six days and seven nights and he did this to satisfy one thing and one thing only, his desires. That very moment was when Enkidu was first exposed to civilization. Once the encounter was over the things that Enkidu was able to do like run with the animals and do the things that they could was a thing of the past, “When with her delights he was fully sated, he turned his gaze to his herd. The gazelles saw Enkidu, they started to run, the beasts of the field shied away from his presence. Enkidu had defiled his body so pure, his legs stood still, though his herd was in motion. Enkidu was weakened, could not run as before, but now he has reason, and wide understanding” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 8). This quote represents a major turning point in Enkidu’s life because he is now no longer the once pure, innocent soul he once was. From Enkidu’s exposer to civilization, he loses his innocence as well as his purity, he no longer can run with the animals or do the things the that he once was able to do. In contrast, he develops reasoning and wide understanding of everything around him, but Daoist say that he has become more closed minded as a result. Reason is just another way humans label objects and actions, is a justification for an action or an event. In other words, he has gained the ability to label things and …show more content…
In this passage, Enkidu wants to challenge the mighty king Gilgamesh to prove that he is the mightiest of all the land where as in the past, he would not take part in a silly contest in order to prove his superiority over another being. At the same time, though, Enkidu ends up developing an unmatched relationship with Gilgamesh that he otherwise would have never experienced if he was still back in the wild running with the animals. In connection to the bible, though this may be far stretched, as the story progresses Enkidu starts doing things that he believes is right based on his worries/beliefs which shows Enikdu’s lack of faith with nature and/or the gods. For example, Enkidu takes it upon himself to help Gilgamesh conquer Humbaba because he does not believe Gilgamesh can do it by himself, nor does he think nature or “God” will help Gilgamesh in his quest (not believing they will provide). So by providing Gilgamesh with help and guidance, Enkidu believes that he is now the actor and controller his fate as well as others fate instead of nature or “God” being in control. Which as a result, is the complete opposite of