In the beginning of the story, the praise of Gilgamesh is mixed with criticism of his arrogance. His own subjects complain “Gilgamesh sounds the tocsin for his amusement, his arrogance has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the king should be a shepherd to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior’s daughter nor the wife of the noble; yet this is the shepherd of the city, wise, comely, and resolute.” (19) Gilgamesh clearly had the admiration of the

The people’s prayers are answered and Enkidu, the true counterpart for Gilgamesh is created and sent to earth. Enkidu was a perfect sounding board for Gilgamesh; he listened to his dreams and interpreted them for him, he adventured with him, and he guarded over him. It was Enkidu who first tells Gilgamesh of his place in life, “The father of the gods has given you kingship, such is your destiny, everlasting life is not your destiny. Because of this do not be sad at heart, do not be grieved or oppressed. He has given you the power to bind and to loose, to be the darkness and the light of mankind. He has given you unexampled supremacy over the people, victory in battle from which no fugitive returns, in forays and assaults from which there is no going back. But do not abuse this power; deal justly with your servants in the palace, deal justly before Shamash.” (23) While it appears that Gilgamesh understand and accepts this fate, “Only the gods live for ever with glorious Shamash, but as for us men, our days are numbered, our occupations are a breath of wind.” (23)

Some topics in this essay:
Enkidu Gilgamesh, Enkidu Siduri, Epic Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh Reaction, day night, epic gilgamesh, enkidu gilgamesh, deal justly,