The Epic of Gilgamesh, Prologue-Chapter 3

Name Instructor Course Date The Epic of Gilgamesh, Prologue-Chapter 3 Summary Information on The Epic of Gilgamesh focuses on the city of Uruk, where Shamash the glorious sun had made him beautiful. The Epic of Gilgamesh preceded other epics like the Iliad and even portions of the bible, and while the story is fictionalized, they are based on some actual events and the story highlights human relationships and condition. King Gilgamesh was strong nod lustful like no other person and Enkidu, his brother was created to also be strong, but he ate grass. Gilgamesh advised a trapper to hire a harlot for Enkidu, and he became friends with the Enkidu and still maintained his strength. However, Enkidu’s power started to vanish and Gilgamesh sought to raise a monument made of cedars dedicated to the goods, the Humbaba giant guarded the cedars and he subdued the power of the two men and god Enlil sought revenge because of this. Gilgamesh later on put the royal robes, and Ishtar the goddess of love promised different things including marriage, but Gilgamesh was reluctant and so she became enraged and asked her father Anu to bring the Bull of Heaven, which was meant to revenge on behalf of Ishtar. While the bull knocked Enkidu, Gilgamesh was able to defeat it and Enkidu later died, but Gilgamesh was at times selfish and he reflected on his own mortality. Philosophical critique Gilgamesh is a mythical and heroic king perfect in body, endowed with beauty and courage while he was also a god and man. Despite having strength, Gilgamesh abuses his power ever when the people would still have respected him that he even demanded what he wanted based on only his needs. Gilgamesh is selfish yet it would be expected that because of his godlike features he would be selfless when ruling and serving the people. While Gilgamesh ruled a civilized place, Enkidu’s primitive ways do not hold him back from helping his brother yet Gilgamesh’s rule over Uruk was at times tyrannical. Enkidu is also depicted as Gilgamesh’s friend, but they are not necessarily equal. Enkidu died for the death of Humbaba and the bull and thwarting Ishtar, while it is as if the gods favor Gilgamesh, who must then go on a journey of self discovery. Even though, Gilgamesh is part god and part man, he realized his mortality after Enkidu’s death, while his strength, beauty and power would not stop the inevitable. The epic influenced Zoroastrianism, other early religions, and thoughts especially in the Middle East and Europe, and Gilgamesh...