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The Bully In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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While reading The Epic of Gilgamesh, many characters are presented within the first Tablet. Gilgamesh is presented as a “bully” and a man of great stature. Gilgamesh is known as a tyrant; however he also builds the city walls to protect the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh is the son of Lugalbanda, which from whom he gets his strengths, and his mother is the wild cow, Ninsun. Ninsun, mother of Gilgamesh, is a goddess and plays a major role in tablets I. Shamhat is presented as a harlot, who brings Enkidu to Uruk. Enkidu was created by Aruru, the birth goddess. Made using potter’s clay, Enkidu, was born in the steppe and known to shepherd the gazelles, prevent hunters from hunting, and be at one with nature. Tablet I, describes the creating of …show more content…

The people saw him as a problem, so his mother sought out a companion for him. In the eye’s of the people, Enkidu, was seen as a hero and someone that could possibly stop Gilgamesh from committing his careless acts. I noticed that the two, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, were opposites, but contained similar physical traits. The creation of Enkidu creates a platonic love. The text constantly repeats that Gilgamesh wants a friend, “his own counselor.” Enkidu’s creation fills the void Gilgamesh has and friendship is introduced. I find the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu to be very interesting. The two did not welcome each other with open arms, but with a show down in front of the church doors. After receiving a blessing from Ninsun, the two became a “team.” After Ninsun’s blessings were given, a sense of agape love was created. The deities instructed Enkidu to guide and protect Gilgamesh. Due to Enkidu’s knowledge of the forest of cedars, it only seems right that he leads the way keeping the two of them out of danger. Enkidu has to risk his life by leading the way displays a self-sacrificing and spiritual love for Gilgamesh and with the deities. Eros is also introduced when Shamhat encounters Enkidu. The luring of Enkidu required him to lay with her, causing a sexual love to evolve. The use of the harlot caused the man to present himself, rather than the beast we were

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