Enkidu's Death
Who do we blame for Enkidu's death? How does the saga of Enkidu answer our essential question: Are hero's always heroic? Use examples from the text to support your answer.
Enkidu's death can be blamed on both the gods of the heavens and Humbaba. The demon Humbaba placed a curse upon Enkidu before Gilgamesh killed him. Tablet Five states, " Humbaba cursed Enkidu. 'Neither of you will grow old; Gilgamesh will bury you'". The gods of the heavens can also be blamed for Enkidu's death. The gods held a council in which they decided that Enkidu should die because he was involved in the death of Humbaba. The god Enlil said "One of these two must die. Let it be Enkidu".
However, someone who should not be blamed for the death of Enkidu is Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu were very close companions; Gilgamesh grieved after Enkidu's death. Tablet Nine states that Gilgamesh was "Howling his grief, he chased the wind and would not be comforted". Gilgamesh felt alone and he missed Enkidu, he didn't know how he would prevail on his own.
The saga of Enkidu confirms that hero's are not always heroic. There were many moments during Enkidu's life where he showed that he was strong willed and confident. For example, when he learned about the unjust things Gilgamesh was doing, he immediately found Gilgamesh and battled him. "Angered, Enkidu proclaimed. 'I will go to Uruk. I will challenge Gilgamesh'". However, there were times when the hero Enkidu was frightened, such as when he and Gilgamesh went to battle Humbaba in the forest. "The hero's were frightened. 'The forest is dark', trembled Enkidu. 'Shames the sun has abandoned us'".
Enkidu's death can be blamed on both the gods of the heavens and Humbaba. The demon Humbaba placed a curse upon Enkidu before Gilgamesh killed him. Tablet Five states, " Humbaba cursed Enkidu. 'Neither of you will grow old; Gilgamesh will bury you'". The gods of the heavens can also be blamed for Enkidu's death. The gods held a council in which they decided that Enkidu should die because he was involved in the death of Humbaba. The god Enlil said "One of these two must die. Let it be Enkidu".
However, someone who should not be blamed for the death of Enkidu is Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu were very close companions; Gilgamesh grieved after Enkidu's death. Tablet Nine states that Gilgamesh was "Howling his grief, he chased the wind and would not be comforted". Gilgamesh felt alone and he missed Enkidu, he didn't know how he would prevail on his own.
The saga of Enkidu confirms that hero's are not always heroic. There were many moments during Enkidu's life where he showed that he was strong willed and confident. For example, when he learned about the unjust things Gilgamesh was doing, he immediately found Gilgamesh and battled him. "Angered, Enkidu proclaimed. 'I will go to Uruk. I will challenge Gilgamesh'". However, there were times when the hero Enkidu was frightened, such as when he and Gilgamesh went to battle Humbaba in the forest. "The hero's were frightened. 'The forest is dark', trembled Enkidu. 'Shames the sun has abandoned us'".
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