Gilgamesh

2 Pages 519 Words

Compare and Contrast of Gilgamesh and Enkidu

The story of Gilgamesh is one of literature’s greatest, oldest poems. It is the first poem ever to be translated to present day text. It can be traced far back as to 2700 B. C. It is a classic tale that us today can see a sort of relations in other literary works. In this poem, an equal to Gilgamesh, Enkidu was created by the gods in response to the prayers of the people of Urk. Made to the likeness of Gilgamesh, Enkidu was created in order to end the arrogant Gilgamesh. But when quarreling against each other they found a companion in each other’s company. So they remained friends throughout the poem. As equals gods created them but they are different from each other.
Gilgamesh was born to Ninsun, a wise god. He is 2/3 god and 1/3 man. His beauty was like no other. No mortal man could compare to his immaculate, flawless features. Strength like a wild ox was bestow upon him by the gods. Also courage so that he will rule without doubt. But to the people of Urk, the town that he ruled over, Gilgamesh was considered arrogant. He ruled the people harshly and brutally. So gods created in his likeness Enkidu to see an end to Gilgamesh. The wild raised Enkidu. He is a blend of human and animal. The animal beings dominate at first. His hair was long and matted. He ran with the animals and ate raw food. A savage was he. At the time of his being civilized, he at times wanted to fight with Gilgamesh. Making Enkidu appear as to a brute. Were one was created to rule a kingdom; the other was created to destroy the king.
As much as they were different remember that they were born of the same origin. The gods created both Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Both had stunning features of immaculate beauty. Strong as ox’s and had courage of the gods. Nothing could stand in the way of these two men but only themselves and the gods. Gilgamesh would have dreams upon meeting Enkidu. These dreams were translated by ...