Epic of Gilgamesh Essay Topics

The Epic of Gilgamesh
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The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the ancient literary works on love and vulnerability. Gilgamesh is the main character and plays the role of a ruthless King in the Kingdom of Uruk. Gilgamesh was born half-human and god. The monarchy of Uruk dislikes their king for his brutal ways of ruling. For instance, the king rapes innocent women before their marriage night. Besides, Gilgamesh is cruel to the peasants in the society. Equally, Gilgamesh takes whatever he wants from the people and forces them to work on the walls of Uruk. For that reason, the Kingdom’s older men appeal to God for help for ways to overcome the ruthlessness of the king. Although Gilgamesh was a ruthless King, he realized the value of humanity after the death of Enkidu, who was one of his closest friends named Enkidu.
In the literary work, the poet reveals that Gilgamesh has a close friend, who resembles him in behavior and physique. According to the writer, Enkidu had a soft side. In the poem, Enkidu was a man who would tame the king and rescue people from his brutal style of governance. To tame the king, Enkidu befriends Gilgamesh rather than using force to change his character. However, Enkidu succumbs to death after invading the Cedar Forest to kill Humbaba, who was the guardian demon against the wishes of the gods. Mason (2003) posits that “…they hunt together, they kill, Humbaba and the bull of heaven…” The king encounters numerous challenges, such as becoming friends with Enkidu and upholding Uruk.
The loyalty that Enkidu and Gilgamesh have towards each other grows. The duo decides to kill a bull of heaven that almost exterminated the king. The poet demonstrates the caring spirit the two men have towards each other by elucidating how it brings them comfort. However, Enkidu dies mysteriously and considers it a curse. As a result, the king feels helpless and lost after realizing that he would not save his friend. According to Mason (2003), Enkidu questions himself that “…Is that the way it is with a friend…” The storyline is a clear indicator of loyalty and sincere friendship. The sorrow and grief that the king develops is a demonstration that true friendship is one of the inevitable aspects of life.
The Epic of Gilgamesh describes the deathbed realization of Enkidu after grasping that his friendship with the king was one-sided. As a result, Enkidu succumbs to death after knowing that Gilgamesh abandoned him. During his death throes, he regrets having saved the king during the battle and gradually develops a negative attitude towards him. One of the impressions about Gilgamesh is that he is indisciplined, ruthless, and out of control. The phrase that “…you are a human being now, not like them…” exhibits the ruthlessness of the king (Mason, 2003). Gilgamesh is an ineffective leader, hence creating the need to reform him. The poet portrays the king as self-centered individual who believes that he is the only one fit to rule Uruk.
The story of Gilgamesh is an exhibition of the historical rulers and deeds. The narrator of the storyline describes Enkidu as covered in hair and livi...