Epic of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk. He made his city beautiful by building high walls, ziggurats, and many orchards. Also, he was portrayed as very beautiful, strong, and wise. Despite everything he had done, many people still did not appreciate or respect Gilgamesh. This was due largely to how Gilgamesh treated women. He would rape any woman who caught his eye, even if it was on her wedding day. The gods heard the prayers of the people and sent down Enkidu to match Gilgamesh’s strength. Gilgamesh and Enkidu became best friends; one could even say soul mates. Enkidu kept Gilgamesh on the right path. Eventually Enkidu would die and leave Gilgamesh alone. The character of Gilgamesh can be analyzed into three main parts: before, during, and after Enkidu. First, Gilgamesh could have been considered a great king in a few aspects. He created a great city. “One square mile of city, one square mile of gardens, one square mile of clay pits, a half square mile of Ishtar’s dwelling, three and a half square miles is the measure of Uruk!” (Puchner13). Though his many accomplishments, Gilgamesh was a somewhat ruthless king to begin with. He was two-thirds god and one-third man. This probably played a large role in the way he thought. Gilgamesh knew he was very powerful. He knew no one could stop him. “Gilgamesh is a tyrant and a womanizer, and his people beseech the gods for relief” (Literature Commentary). The gods heard the cries of the people, and they created Enkidu. Enkidu was a wild man raised with animals. He had equal strength to Gilgamesh; he was created to humiliate Gilgamesh and keep him in check. “They grappled each other at the door to the wedding, they fought in the street, the public square. It was Gilgamesh who knelt for the pin, his foot on the ground” (Puchner23). However, Gilgamesh won and the two became friends.
Second, Enkidu entered Gilgamesh’s life. The two became the best of friends. They went on many great adventures together. Their first