Themes and Symbols in The Epic of Gilgamesh by Benjamin R Foster
Alexandra Ricketts
August 29, 2013
English 215 HU ASY
The book, The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated and edited by Benjamin R. Foster, displays various themes and symbols that can relate to modern culture. Love, friendship, death, legacies, religion, and the concept of society vs. wilderness all play a large role in the foundation of the story. Three elements within the first three tablets of the story emphasize a correlation to contemporary culture: love (friendship and romantic), journeys, and faith in religion. The concept of love remains steady throughout the first three chapters of the story. Both seductive love and friendship allow change in the actions of others and the strength of relationships. A sexual introduction towards Enkidu from the temple harlot immediately changes his animal-like behavior to a more human-like behavior as he is exposed to the pleasures and benefits that human instinct has to offer.
“Shamhat loosened her garments,
She exposed her loins, he took her charms.
She was not bashful, she took his vitality.
She tossed aside her clothing and he lay upon her,
She treated him, a human, to woman’s work,
As in his ardor he caressed her” (pg 9, 188-193).
Not only is love in a romantic sense expressed in these few chapters, but love in a friendship sense is expressed through the interactions of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Through the wrestling match of the two strong men, the winner Gilgamesh earns respect from Enkidu. Enkidu praises Gilgamesh for his superiority and royal stance. The two gain a close friendship from the experience and learn to watch out for one another through their decisions and actions. For example, Enkidu has the best interests in mind for his friend Gilgamesh, as he tries to persuade Gilgamesh to refrain from wandering into the forest to slay the monster Humbaba.
“My friend, I knew that country
When I roamed with the wild beasts.
The forest is…sixty double leagues in every direction,
Who can go into it?
August 29, 2013
English 215 HU ASY
The book, The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated and edited by Benjamin R. Foster, displays various themes and symbols that can relate to modern culture. Love, friendship, death, legacies, religion, and the concept of society vs. wilderness all play a large role in the foundation of the story. Three elements within the first three tablets of the story emphasize a correlation to contemporary culture: love (friendship and romantic), journeys, and faith in religion. The concept of love remains steady throughout the first three chapters of the story. Both seductive love and friendship allow change in the actions of others and the strength of relationships. A sexual introduction towards Enkidu from the temple harlot immediately changes his animal-like behavior to a more human-like behavior as he is exposed to the pleasures and benefits that human instinct has to offer.
“Shamhat loosened her garments,
She exposed her loins, he took her charms.
She was not bashful, she took his vitality.
She tossed aside her clothing and he lay upon her,
She treated him, a human, to woman’s work,
As in his ardor he caressed her” (pg 9, 188-193).
Not only is love in a romantic sense expressed in these few chapters, but love in a friendship sense is expressed through the interactions of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Through the wrestling match of the two strong men, the winner Gilgamesh earns respect from Enkidu. Enkidu praises Gilgamesh for his superiority and royal stance. The two gain a close friendship from the experience and learn to watch out for one another through their decisions and actions. For example, Enkidu has the best interests in mind for his friend Gilgamesh, as he tries to persuade Gilgamesh to refrain from wandering into the forest to slay the monster Humbaba.
“My friend, I knew that country
When I roamed with the wild beasts.
The forest is…sixty double leagues in every direction,
Who can go into it?