What Makes Gilgamesh A Good Ruler
The story of Gilgamesh starts with Gilgamesh demonstrating many attributes that make him an immoral ruler. He is an unstable combination of two thirds man god and one third human. He is abundant in flaws and virtues, he the fiercest of warriors, and the greatest of builders. He exhausts his subjects through ceaseless battles and forced labor. He rapes whatever woman he desires with no respect for her social standing. He takes what he desires by indulging his appetites through haphazard uses of power. Here we see everything that the Sumerians do not find as attributes of a good ruler. It is his oppressive nature that make his people implore to the gods for liberation. It is through the divine intervention of the gods who send Enkidu to stop
Gilgamesh’s behavior. Enkidu, who is nearly is his equal becomes a challenge to Gilgamesh and it is because of the friendship that he forms with Enkidu that calms him and gives him focus. Through their friendship and the adventures that they share together which become significant in leading to the transformation of Gilgamesh.
When you analyze the adventures and the kind of qualities that Gilgamesh displays identifies that the ancient Sumerians prized above all else strength and guile in combat. The ability of Gilgamesh to be victorious over the giant Humbaba and then also to defeat the Bull of Heaven, signifying famine and catastrophe, obviously shows these qualities. While he is on his adventures to make a name for himself he spurns the wrath of the gods which brings about the death of Enkidu. However, at the same time, it is also important to remember how Gilgamesh
values his friendship with Enkidu. Enkidu's death and the way that this bothers Gilgamesh shows a human quality to this epic hero and suggests very strongly that the Sumerians also greatly valued close relationships and friendships. The death of Enkidu also brings about his obsession with mortality. As human beings we know the one thing we cannot avoid is death and the Sumerians were no different. Here is a king who is two-thirds god and one third human who is greater than the average man but not immortal who fails at finding immortality. So here is this epic hero who did not defeat death just like every mortal living on the earth. So even though he fails it makes him a better king who even though he dies is immortalized in words and is known to this very day.
Gilgamesh’s behavior. Enkidu, who is nearly is his equal becomes a challenge to Gilgamesh and it is because of the friendship that he forms with Enkidu that calms him and gives him focus. Through their friendship and the adventures that they share together which become significant in leading to the transformation of Gilgamesh.
When you analyze the adventures and the kind of qualities that Gilgamesh displays identifies that the ancient Sumerians prized above all else strength and guile in combat. The ability of Gilgamesh to be victorious over the giant Humbaba and then also to defeat the Bull of Heaven, signifying famine and catastrophe, obviously shows these qualities. While he is on his adventures to make a name for himself he spurns the wrath of the gods which brings about the death of Enkidu. However, at the same time, it is also important to remember how Gilgamesh
values his friendship with Enkidu. Enkidu's death and the way that this bothers Gilgamesh shows a human quality to this epic hero and suggests very strongly that the Sumerians also greatly valued close relationships and friendships. The death of Enkidu also brings about his obsession with mortality. As human beings we know the one thing we cannot avoid is death and the Sumerians were no different. Here is a king who is two-thirds god and one third human who is greater than the average man but not immortal who fails at finding immortality. So here is this epic hero who did not defeat death just like every mortal living on the earth. So even though he fails it makes him a better king who even though he dies is immortalized in words and is known to this very day.