Analysis and Comparison of Two Epic Characters Gilgamesh and Enkidu

In the epic of Gilgamesh, there are many complex characters. The poet introduced and created Enkidu to serve as a foil and contrast the protagonist of the epic Gilgamesh.

The epic describes Gilgamesh as god and man. He is two-thirds god, and one-third man. Enkidu was an animal and man. He was born as a wild savage. He lives with the animals in the forest. The gods transform him into a human by changing him body and mind. This is the story of their becoming human together. Enkidu is a very loyal man. He shows great loyalty to Gilgamesh. He is brave and smart as well. He helps Gilgamesh fight against the nature and animals. Enkidu gives belief and confidence to Gilgamesh when something is going wrong and an undertaking seems impossible. He motivates and moves Gilgamesh to go further and even further.

The creation of Enkidu in the epic shows the ultimate and almighty power of the gods and the impuissance of human. A hero like him, his birth, purpose, and death are just the will of the god. The character and personality of Gilgamesh change from the beginning through the ending of the epic. Gilgamesh has great self-confidence because of his composition: two-thirds god and one-third man. He believes nothing is impossible as he believes he has supreme powers. He is also arrogant, brave, smart, and passionate. After being friends with Enkidu, he develops a very kindhearted side to his character. They become as close as brothers. Gilgamesh helps and encourages Enkidu when he is in various situations. When the men are fighting Humbaba, Gilgamesh says, ã[you] will surpass all of them... a friend who knows battle understands fighting... stand, friend, we will [go up] together?(tablet IV, column vi, 29, 31, 37). In the course of fighting against Humbaba, the poet emphasizes great bravery and passion on the part of Gilgamesh to the readers. Enkidu knows that Humbaba is not an easy enemy. He is not willing to open out the battle. In contrast, Gilgamesh persuades and encourages Enkidu to fight Humbaba with him. Although they struggle and are on the very of being defeated in their battle with the fearsome creature, they finally win by invoking the power of Shamash.

The overall course of the battle with Humbaba shows great and extreme braveness of Gilgamesh and Enkidu to the readers. The friendship and loves between them are well described. They are fearless at the beginning. They are confident during the low tide of the battle. They overcome a bundle of hardships and difficulties, and then they achieve victory. They are no doubt at this point glorious warriors and heroes.

Gilgamesh gains important insight when Enkidu dies. Gilgamesh realizes that even a brave warrior like himself must one day face his own death. A hero like him is now afraid of death. He is then looking for Utnapishtim for a deathless life. It is a long trudge to Utnapishtim. Although the story ends up with a loss, during the course, his hard-bitten and exploring spirits are depicted profoundly by the poet.