Friendship Theme in Gilgamesh
True friendship is egalitarian. Everything is shared, loyalty to the friendship is equal, and the basis of the camaraderie is wholly altruistic. The friendship between the king Gilgamesh and the man of the steppe, Enkidu, was not a true and equal friendship. Loyalties and sacrifices to that friendship were disproportionate.
Friendship is conveyed in more than one way in Gilgamesh. The companionship between Enkidu and the animals of the steppe is the first example of friendship. Enkidu lived with the animals, as one of them:
He freed them from the traps / The hunters set. / A hunter’s son one day /
Saw Enkidu opening a trap: / The creature was all covered with hair /
And yet his hands had the…show more content…
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Gilgamesh was quiet at this interpretation / Of his dream. (p. 19)
Ninsun was right, and the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was one of great loyalty and trust. The formation of the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was very abrupt. Upon meeting, they fought fiercely, stopped, and embraced. This pithiness gives an air of ingenuity to the relationship, but that is later shattered by their loyalty to one another in following scenes.
And they were friends: / They had embraced and made their vow /
To stay together always, / No matter what the obstacle. (p. 27)
The most supporting aspect of their companionship was their encouragement to one another. When one of the friends faltered or showed weakness, the other reinforced fearlessness and reminded them of their friendship.
No, Enkidu cried; it is the journey / That will take away our life. /
Don’t be afraid, said Gilgamesh /
We are together. There is nothing / We should fear……
Suddenly it was Gilgamesh who was afraid
/ Enkidu who reminded him to be fearless. (p. 28, 34)
Enkidu’s devotion to Gilgamesh is shown in their battles with both Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. By partaking in these battles with Gilgamesh, Enkidu is expressing his friendship. The conquests aren’t his idea, and he
True friendship is egalitarian. Everything is shared, loyalty to the friendship is equal, and the basis of the camaraderie is wholly altruistic. The friendship between the king Gilgamesh and the man of the steppe, Enkidu, was not a true and equal friendship. Loyalties and sacrifices to that friendship were disproportionate.
Friendship is conveyed in more than one way in Gilgamesh. The companionship between Enkidu and the animals of the steppe is the first example of friendship. Enkidu lived with the animals, as one of them:
He freed them from the traps / The hunters set. / A hunter’s son one day /
Saw Enkidu opening a trap: / The creature was all covered with hair /
And yet his hands had the…show more content…
/
Gilgamesh was quiet at this interpretation / Of his dream. (p. 19)
Ninsun was right, and the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was one of great loyalty and trust. The formation of the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was very abrupt. Upon meeting, they fought fiercely, stopped, and embraced. This pithiness gives an air of ingenuity to the relationship, but that is later shattered by their loyalty to one another in following scenes.
And they were friends: / They had embraced and made their vow /
To stay together always, / No matter what the obstacle. (p. 27)
The most supporting aspect of their companionship was their encouragement to one another. When one of the friends faltered or showed weakness, the other reinforced fearlessness and reminded them of their friendship.
No, Enkidu cried; it is the journey / That will take away our life. /
Don’t be afraid, said Gilgamesh /
We are together. There is nothing / We should fear……
Suddenly it was Gilgamesh who was afraid
/ Enkidu who reminded him to be fearless. (p. 28, 34)
Enkidu’s devotion to Gilgamesh is shown in their battles with both Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. By partaking in these battles with Gilgamesh, Enkidu is expressing his friendship. The conquests aren’t his idea, and he
Friendship is one of the most important subjects in life. It is something that everyone must have, at least one. There is nothing better than having a person who you can trust to share your feelings with, to talk to, to protect or to be protected, other than your family. That is the main idea of Gilgamesh, written by Herbert Mason, the main character who has surpassed many conflicts to trying to save his friend from death itself. They are two different people, coming from two completely different backgrounds. Gilgamesh is king of a kingdom; and Enkidu is the same as Tarzan, king of the jungle and animals. As many men, they became friends after a fight from jealously. “Gilgamesh listened to his people’s shouts of praise for someone other than himself and lunged at Enkidu” (Mason P, 23). What a classic way, it is a good way to know each other from a short time. Through fighting, two people can know how strong, fast, and brave the other are to decide if that person is qualified to be a friend. I was also using violence to pick out friend. It help me understand them more, also letting me know where should I put them in the friendship zone.
When a person has found a friend it is similar to a pirate who has digged up a treasure. It is very important to have a friend, who will encourage and be there for each other. A great example is when Gilgamesh encourage Enkidu on taken down Humbaba (Mason P. 27) and when Enkidu protect Gilgamesh when Humbaba attack them (Mason P. 40). That is what friends are for, to help out the other. A true friend is the one who knows you best and brings what's best for you. But every party must have an end.
A true friend is also the one who is willing to sacrifice for the other. The same as Enkidu sacrifice his life for the loss of Humbaba, a servant of gods, and the Bull of Heaven, sent by Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh for insulting her. Gilgamesh denied Ishtar's proposals and call her 'an old fat whore' (Maso...
When a person has found a friend it is similar to a pirate who has digged up a treasure. It is very important to have a friend, who will encourage and be there for each other. A great example is when Gilgamesh encourage Enkidu on taken down Humbaba (Mason P. 27) and when Enkidu protect Gilgamesh when Humbaba attack them (Mason P. 40). That is what friends are for, to help out the other. A true friend is the one who knows you best and brings what's best for you. But every party must have an end.
A true friend is also the one who is willing to sacrifice for the other. The same as Enkidu sacrifice his life for the loss of Humbaba, a servant of gods, and the Bull of Heaven, sent by Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh for insulting her. Gilgamesh denied Ishtar's proposals and call her 'an old fat whore' (Maso...
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Epic Of Gilgamesh Summary
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a historic story of the king of Uruk, Gilgamesh. The story depicts the short lived friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The story begins as Shamat the harlot seduces Enkidu and convinces him to go to the city of Uruk and meet Gilgamesh. From that moment on, the two were very. Take my hand, my friend, we will go on together. Your heart should burn to do battle. —pay no heed to death, do not lose heart! (4.273-283) Bring out the tissues again, because this is basically the, 'I can't carry it for you, Mr. Frodo, but I can carry you ' of ancient Mesopotamia. Below you will find the important quotes in The Epic of Gilgamesh related to the theme of Friendship, Love, and Sexuality. Part 1 Quotes When next he comes down to drink at the wells she will be there, stripped naked; and when he sees her beckoning him he will embrace her, and then the wild beasts will reject him.
Friendship Quotes From The Epic Of Gilgamesh Summary
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