Gilgamesh: A Misunderstood Being

Albert Einstein said "a person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new". He
implies that it's ok to make to make mistakes because he or she would likely get new experiences
with different people. Through the experience, the individual can love another however it is not
the typical love between lovers. In fact, this kind of love is more compassionate. Throughout this
investigation, it feels like the gods in this story did "show compassion" to anyone other than their
kind whereas Gilgamesh did the opposite. That is not the case because Gilgamesh showed even
more than anyone else in the story. This is possible because Gilgamesh has many traits that
makes him standout. He is in fact a superhuman having a golden heart in a god like body.
Throughout the Epic poem Gilgamesh, there are many encounters between the gods and the
humans. It's likely that they coexist with each other. With that said, Gilgamesh connects more
with humanity than the gods.
Throughout the story of Gilgamesh, the relationship and communication with a god is
minimal and it would satisfy the individuals need. For example, humans have complaints, the
gods listen and then they deliver their wishes as best they can. That means after their contract, it's
their own problem. The people of Uruk were complaining about the king was like a tyrant. They
called the goddess Aruru to create the reflection of their king so they could leave the city
together(2 Gilgamesh). After Aruru created Enkidu, she left him to roam on his own without
warning the citizens. On the other hand, the trappers saw the creature and ask for help from
Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh genuinely give them instruction to calm the beast and civilized it. These
instruction help the trapper gain hunt easier. Therefore, he cared for his people because he loves
his city because he finds a solution that fixes the issue.

It's understandable that gods too can care for humans such as the god Ea. When Ea
warned Uthamism about the flood, he breaks his oath to keep the apocalypses a secret. He told
Uthamism to tell the others that danger is coming to his city in an encryptic form and he stood up
to Enlil before he could do anything to his "buddy". However, his reason to help humanity was
to control the abuse that the gods can inflict to the humans. Instead of destroying everyone
instantly for one person's mistake, it's better to torture them all slowly as he explains, "Lay upon
the sinner his sin, Lay upon the transgressor his transgression, punish him a little [and] do not
drive him to hard. Rather than the flood, [my suggestion is that creatures], famine [and]
pestilence [would be better.]" (13-14 Gilgamesh) Evidently, the gods are discriminate to all
humans since they won't distinguish who is wrong and right and they would rather keep their
right to inflict pain on anyone just to please their pride. Only those who have at least have a piece
of humanity in them can such as Gilgamesh(2/3 god 1/3 man) and Enkidu(2/3 Man 1/3 God).
There are times when individuals have their views on a particular subject and not
necessarily agree with other's point of view. For the humans in the story, they had their views but
they suggest non lethal solution the majority of the time to solve an issue and only use violence
when it's necessary to their survival such as hunting for food and protecting the city. In general,
humans in the play live in modesty however: gods have a different mindset that differs
completely. They are proud beings that are stubborn to their own view for their own sake. If are
neglected, their ego will be damage and they will anything to validate their point. This is why
they each of them have a need to prove their point no matter what. In particular, Enlil
demonstrates this when Enlil brought the flood long before Gilgamesh's creation. His reason to
do it was because he was super grouchy that he could have his beauty sleep. His scapegoat was

that all humans were way to noisy. So, he used his frustration and convince the gods that it's
about time they shut them up permanently. (13 Gilgamesh)
Another example, the goddess Ishtar wanted to marry Gilgamesh because she is
interested in his power and influence towards the city. Gilgamesh though that she is unnecessary
for him because he doesnt want to lose ideal of a man; being courageous and powerful. It's
obvious that god like beings have a difficult time to reconcile with each other. To add more
insult to injury, he criticize her so badly that she would be ready to pay him back. She was
mature enough to threat the mighty Enlil with a deal. If she does not get her bull of heaven, she
would make humanity suffer from famine and zombies for his rudeness. This passage
demonstrates the rationalization behind her logic and how the god's reaction justify it. Look
closely how she disregards the humans: she says
My father, give me the Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh. Fill Gilgamesh, I say, with arrogance to his
destruction; but if you refuse to give me the Bull of Heaven I will break in the doors to hell and smash the
bolts; there will be confusion of the people, those above from the lower depths. I shall being up the dead to
eat food like the living; and the hosts of dead will outnumber the living.
Anu [replied]; I do [that], there will be seven years of drought. Have you saved enough grain [and ] grass
[for the people and the cattle]?
Ishtar replied; I have [enough grain and grass for everybody]
When Anu heard what Ishtar had said he gave her the Bull of Heaven [without question]. (8 Gilgamesh)

Another example is how Gilgamesh can come to a rationalization: to journey toward the
cedar forest. He so proud he can't help to tell everyone about it. Before his reveal, he first talks to
Enkidu about his dream. Enkidu understood that his destiny was to only be a king. However, his
god like qualities (thanks to Shamash and Adad) refuses to accept it. He believes that by going to
the forest he can be famous. When he tells the citizens the news, he's being critique left and right

that it was not necessary. Even his Mom Ninsun questions Shamash why he gives him too much
courage. It could be argued that for Gilgamesh is less human because the interest of the people
did not see a need for more violence and conquest. They were already stressing out to how their
sons are taken from them and their daughters would have to have sex with Gilgamesh before the
groom gets the chance. (2, 4 Gilgamesh) Hence, theses examples proves that gods in the play
Gilgamesh are very anal to the status.
Despite the reputation of a god credibility is going downhill, Gilgamesh is the exception.
No matter what the people say to him, he believes he cares more about them than they think. To
illustrate it, the reason why the city of Uruk was never attack was because he enjoys being on the
move instead of doing nothing in home. He had to make sure all insecurities will be covered. For
starters he was proud of his walls because they were tall and strong(2 Gilgamesh). Second, he
could leave the city at any time without worrying too much because the men would most likely
be excellent solders giving credit to his genes and finally the fact he had to do ridiculous feats
i.e.; the journey to kill Humbaba and the journey of immortality made him made him famous for
being the greatest protector of his city and the truth seeker. In the end, he finally let go his
obsession for greatness in order to rebuild social structure that Enkidu would have wanted: to
have peace will all beings physical and spiritual. (15 Gilgamesh)
In conclusion, there was no god that tried to connect with the humans without being
conceded or violent towards the humans: only Gilgamesh could change that stereotype. In
memory of Enkidu, he would have been proud that his influence changed Gilgamesh's way of
life.

Work Cited
Lawall et al. The Norton Anthology of World Literature
Beginings to A.D. 100 Vol. A Second Edition
NewYork: WW Norton + Company, 2002. 10 - 41 print