Companionship of Enkidu and Gilgamesh (Poem Analysis)

Everyone needs a friend or significant other to help guide them and allow them to grow.  Before Enkidu came along Gilgamesh was horrible and his people suffered from it.  Enkidu helped improve and change the overall character of Gilgamesh by helping Gilgamesh realize his flaws and humbling him.  Over the course of the Epic of Gilgamesh Enkidu influenced Gilgamesh in many ways.  Enkidu made Gilgamesh stop abusing his power.  Enkidu helped Gilgamesh think more and be less impulsive and greedy. Enkidu’s death made Gilgamesh realize that he is mortal, therefore improving Gilgamesh’s overall character.  

The gods created Enkidu in order to balance out the chaos caused by Gilgamesh.  Enkidu made Gilgamesh stop abusing his power. On tablet one it says, “Let her create a partner for Gilgamesh, mighty in strength, Let them contend with each other, that Uruk may have peace” (Norton 40).  Gilgamesh was a man whore and he abused his powers while ruling over Uruk.   Desperately the people begged the Gods for help.  They created Enkidu, a wild man, from clay and water.  Enkidu’s strength matched Gilgamesh’s.  One day Enkidu learned of how Gilgamesh slept with other men’s finances before they get married.   This upset Enkidu, so he went to Uruk to confront him.  “Enkidu blocked the door to the wedding with his foot, Not allowing Gilgamesh to enter” (Norton 47).  They got in a big fight.  “They kissed each other and became friends” (Norton 47).  The fact they were so close from the beginning is what made Gilgamesh trust Enkidu.  Enkidu’s creation humbled Gilgamesh.  This is because it is obvious from the beginning the Gilgamesh is full of himself and thinks that he is better than everyone else.  He would send his men to fight to death in battles, rape women, overworked his people, and was overall selfish in character.  Enkidu made him realize that he isn’t a good leader and isn’t the center of the universe.  He also became an important companion.  When Enkidu matched the skill level that Gilgamesh had it showed Gilgamesh that his strength can be matched which humbled him.   

Enkidu helped remind Gilgamesh about being less impulsive and the dangers of their quests.  When they were going to defeat Humbaba he warned Gilgamesh of how dangerous their quests are.  He had to do this as Gilgamesh had no gage on the consequences of death.  Enkidu said, “Humbaba’s cry is a roar of Deluge, His maw is fire, his breath is death.  Why do you want this? The haunt of Humbaba is a hopeless quest” (Norton 48).  Despite Enkidu attempting to make Gilgamesh understand the danger they will face Gilgamesh exclaimed that they shall continue on anyway.  This shows how wrapped up Gilgamesh was in the idea of getting recognized as powerful and gaining more fame and notoriety.  In retrospect it shows how well Enkidu balances out Gilgamesh.  He consistently took the extra step to make Gilgamesh think about the consequences of his actions.  He reminded Gilgamesh that he may gain fame, but he may lose his life.  Enkidu’s ability to add practicality and input when Gilgamesh made impulsive decisions helped him.

Enkidu’s death made Gilgamesh realize that he’s not immortal.  The goddess of Ishtar sent a Bull down to kill Gilgamesh and Enkidu, but they killed the bull.  As punishment the Gods killed Enkidu.  On Tablet IX Gilgamesh said, “Shall I not die too? Am I not like Enkidu?”  (Norton 72).    After the death of Enkidu Gilgamesh started to freak out and look for a cure for his immortality.  He had gained a humane level of sadness and grieving over Enkidu’s death.  He experienced a level of grieving that he would have never had in the beginning of the story over anyone or anything.  He went on a journey to find immortality.  He ended up failing.  Enkidu’s death made Gilgamesh more humane and realize that he needs to appreciate and embrace what he has in life.  

Enkidu, despite being half human and half wild, helped Gilgamesh regain his humanity.  Because of Enkidu Gilgamesh went from a cocky, angry, selfish ruler to a humble and humane man. Through brotherly love Enkidu showed Gilgamesh the light of love and of selflessness. He showed him the meaning of family and love therefore through that.  Sometimes all it takes is someone who is just as strong as you to tell you that you need to change.  Enkidu molded Gilgamesh’s quests in a way that helped him grow in strength and love.  

Work Cited

Puchner, Martin, et al. “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” The Epic of Gilgamesh, Shorter Third, W. W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 33–88.