In the beginning of the story, Gilgamesh says, “I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh. This was the man to whom all things were known; this was the king who knew the countries of the world” (15).
Gilgamesh and Enkidu are both men created by the gods, but Gilgamesh is the hero. A hero is defined as a man of distinguished courage or ability, survives a battle, and returns home with a gift for those left behind, and is noble. Because Gilgamesh is courageous, noble, and survives, he is the main hero over Enkindu.
Gilgamesh’s courage makes him the hero because he decides to tackle certain feats, which Enkindu did not want to take on, or was not around to do. Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, and pain. Enkidu says, “I will go back to the city. I will tell the lady your mother all your glorious deeds till she shouts for joy: and then I will tell the death that followed till she weeps for bitterness” (17).
This shows that Enkidu is not as courageous because he was going to go back to the city without killing Humbaba, Where as a hero would stay and fight. Also, Gilgamesh strikes the first blow on Humbaba, which shows he was not afraid to take on the beast. Gilgamesh is the hero because he spat in the face of the gods, and humiliated them. The narration says, “In revenge Ischar brings the mighty Bull of Heaven down to threaten Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the bull…” (19).
The Essay on Who Was The Greater Hero – Gilgamesh Or Enkidu?
... stalwart, and insightful. Although both men are considered idyllic heroes, Enkidu seems to be a more favorable character. Unlike Gilgamesh, Enkidu possesses a virtuous personality, ... land of all evil. Because Enkidu lingered by Gilgamesh’s side, he was able to fortify his friend’s courage, which led to the ...
This shows courage because to defy the gods was like signing a death warrant. Gilgameshes superior courage is proven through all of these facts, and by Enkidu’s death.
A nobleman is someone at the head of a country or a government. Gilgamesh proves he is at the head by showing his authority, and the people listened to him. The narrator says, “ In Uruk he built walls, a great rampart, and the temple of blessed Eanna… the outer wall where the cornice runs, it shines with the brilliance of copper; and the inner wall, it has no equal” (16).
This is describing the brilliance of the city, of which Gilgamesh commanded be built. Also he showed his control by making women sleep with him on the night before their wedding. Although some may consider this outrageous, it shows the people followed him. A nobleman will put his subjects in front of his own needs. Gilgamesh says “I will take the [plant] to Uruk… there I will give it to the old men to eat” (27).
This proves that Gilgamesh cares about the people of his city before he eats the plant of eternal youth for himself. Finally he has a loyal follower, Enkidu. Enkidu follows him wherever he goes. From the tricking and killing of Humbaba, to the defeat of the Heavenly bull and the humiliation of Ischar. Enkidu and Gilgamesh were almost unstoppable. All of this evidence proves Gilgamesh is a noble man.
The final evidence to prove Gilgameshes superiority is first he survives. When Enkidu has the dream of the underworld it foreshadows he will die. Only days later, the gods starve Enkidu in front of Gilgamesh. “Enkidu dies, and greatly saddened by his death Gilgamesh goes on a quest for immortality” (23).
It was this event that was one of the turning points for Gilgamesh because he realizes he must now travel alone. He continues on his quest for immortality. He ends up with Utnapishtim and his family. While he is there he is trying to gain the secret of immortality when he fails the test and is about to return home empty handed and broken. He is just about to push off when Utnapishtim’s wife tells him to show Gilgamesh the plant. Once Gilgamesh acquires the plant a snake comes along and steals the plant. The narrator says “It rose out of the water and snatched it away, and immediately it sloughed its skin” (27).
I believe this symbolizes Gilgameshes change from a selfish to a selfless view. Although Gilgamesh doesn’t actually return with the flower it’s when his views change is what helps his city the most.
The Essay on Gilgamesh Enkidu Immortality First
In the epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh embarks upon a quest seeking immortality as a means to peace, meaning, and joy in life. He tries to reach it in many different ways, each as unsuccessful as its predecessor. The two main types of immortality are physical and through the actions or achievements of ones life. Gilgamesh tries first through his actions, but then undergoes a transformation which ...
Because Gilgamesh is courageous, noble and fits into the other characteristics, he is the stories hero.