Illustration of Gilgamesh's face

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

The Influence of Gilgamesh and Enkidu's Friendship on Heroism and Social Order in The Epic of Gilgamesh

Summary:

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu significantly influences heroism and social order. Enkidu, created to challenge Gilgamesh, transforms him from a tyrant to a hero through their bond. Their companionship leads to triumphs like defeating Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, but also to reckless actions that provoke divine wrath. Enkidu's death motivates Gilgamesh's quest for immortality, ultimately refining him into a respected ruler who learns the value of social harmony and leadership.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What type of relationship do Enkidu and Gilgamesh share in The Epic of Gilgamesh, and how would its absence affect Gilgamesh's hero status?

The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is the most powerful relationship in either of their lives (in fact, keep in mind, that Enkidu was actually created for Gilgamesh to provide him with a worthy equal). As for whether their relationship had a positive or negative influence, that's a more difficult and complicated question. Regardless, the influence the two hold over each other is profound.

As the epic opens, Gilgamesh is depicted in terms of being a tyrant, so much so that the people of Uruk pray to the gods for deliverance (and the gods respond by creating Enkidu). From this perspective, Enkidu would have certainly had a positive influence on Gilgamesh's life, as their friendship is a key aspect in Gilgamesh's own transformation from tyrant to hero. At the same time, however, you should not forget how Enkidu pushes Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba when they have him at their mercy (an act that angers the god, Enlil). Later, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu insult the goddess Ishtar: first, Gilgamesh castigates her after she attempts to proposition him, and later, after they have slain the Bull of Heaven, Enkidu will throw its thigh at her. Thus, at the same time that Enkidu has had a positive influence on Gilgamesh's transformation from tyrant to hero, you should also not forget the ways in which the two seem to reinforce each other's prideful and often reckless behavior. Finally, keep in mind the price that they pay for these infringements, with the gods demanding Enkidu's death (a moment which, in turn, inspires Gilgamesh's most famous adventure: his quest for immortality).

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How does Gilgamesh and Enkidu's bond affect The Epic of Gilgamesh story?

After defeating Enkidu in a wrestling contest, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become very close friends and companions (theirs is the dominant relationship which runs across the story). Do not overlook that most of Gilgamesh's early adventures and triumphs are accomplished with Enkidu at his side. Together they take on Humbaba, and it is Enkidu who convinces Gilgamesh to kill their opponent, when he has appealed to them for mercy. They'll also later defeat Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven together, after which Enkidu will die.

Enkidu's death represents the critical turning point in Gilgamesh's story, after which point Gilgamesh will become consumed by grief and stricken with fear of death. This proves critical in motivating him to pursue his quest for eternal life, as he travels in search of Utnapishtim. (Of course, this quest proves fruitless, for not even Gilgamesh can overcome death.)

To conclude, their relationship is deeply important (it is the most important relationship Gilgamesh has within the story), and it plays a critical role in shaping the course of Gilgamesh's life.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Without Enkidu's friendship, how would Gilgamesh's hero status be affected?

The hard-won and enduring friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is at the core of the epic. Without this strong friendship, it is probable that Gilgamesh would not have turned into the awe-inspiring hero he became. The epic promotes the idea that competition between men—even partly divine male figures—is a fundamental element of society. It was through battling Enkidu that Gilgamesh learned about the qualities that allow a warrior to succeed. Had the two not been so well matched, the victory would not have been valuable. The difficult competition led them to respect each other; this respect in turn became a solid basis for the nearly unbreakable bond of their friendship.

Before he teamed up with Enkidu, Gilgamesh was proud and self-centered. They embarked on adventures together and succeeded in arduous feats—including killing Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven—where a solitary man, or even a god, would have failed. Gilgamesh, though never becoming truly humble, understood how the ways they complemented each other generated greater strength. Without Enkidu, Gilgamesh might not have learned these valuable lessons, and instead could have had a short, lonely career. Losing his friend also taught him how much their relationship had meant to him, and prompted him to fight against mortality.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, how does friendship impact the social order's success or failure?

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the friendship between Gilgamesh and Engidu greatly affects the social order. Let’s look at how this works.

Gilgamesh is a mighty man who wants to build a great city. But, in the process, he overworks his people, thereby threatening the social order. The people cry out to the gods, who form Engidu as a challenger to Gilgamesh, someone who can fight with Gilgamesh and give the people some peace and rest for a while.

Gilgamesh and Engidu do indeed fight, after Engidu has been at least somewhat civilized. In the midst of their combat, though, they both develop a great respect for each other, and friendship grows out of enmity. Engidu is more practical than Gilgamesh and warns the latter of the dangers involved in the quest against Khumbaba. But out of friendship, Engidu goes with his friend.

The two are successful and return to ruling Uruk. But Engidu has been weakened by touching a magic gate, and eventually he dies. The loss of his friend turns Gilgamesh’s attention away from the rule of his people, for he desires above all to seek immortality. Without Engidu’s calming presence and good advice, Gilgamesh leaves his people and sets out on a fruitless journey. He does not discover the secret of immortality, but he does meet with Engidu one more time.

This encounter with his friend seems to settle Gilgamesh a bit, and he returns to his people, becoming a beloved king. We can see, then, that the friendship between Gilgamesh and Engidu often has consequences for the social order and the wellbeing (or not) of the people.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How does the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu impact the social order in The Epic of Gilgamesh?

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, somewhat ironically, has a civilizing effect on Gilgamesh that make the latter a better ruler. Let's look at some points about their friendship and the social order.

Enkidu is actually created so that Uruk, Gilgamesh's city, can find some peace. Gilgamesh is not the world's best ruler as the poem opens. He is trying to improve his city, but he is working his people to death in the process. Aruru and Anu hear the people crying out, and Aruru makes Enkidu. Enkidu is supposed to fight with Gilgamesh and put a stop to the oppression of the people.

Enkidu and Gilgamesh do indeed fight, but they end up admiring each other so much that they become friends. Enkidu, who was actually next thing to an animal at his creation, was already somewhat civilized when he fought with Gilgamesh, but now he takes the role of civilizing Gilgamesh and making him a better ruler.

When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh falls apart for a while, but then he starts on a quest to see if he can discover the secret of immortality and perhaps find his friend again. He does see Enkidu again, but it is not much of a comfort. He does not, however, find the secret of immortality. In the end, though, Gilgamesh returns to his city and becomes an honored ruler. He has learned about the proper order of things and is now set to enforce it.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial