Gilgamesh is introduced as the protagonist in the novel. He is very self confident and believes that he is superior to his people. The epic explains Gilgamesh to be more god than man. This is because he is two-thirds god and one-third man. He is described to be oppressive and brutal to his people as well as very arrogant. During his search for immortality, Gilgamesh overcomes many hurdles, fights and wins battles, and develops into a benevolent man.
Gilgamesh is a man with many vices. Gilgamesh suffers most from lack of control, which can explain the way he acts so harshly to his people. According to the people of Uruk, out of all the warriors, Gilgamesh was known to be the fiercest. So often, he inconsiderately raped any women he desired. It didnt trouble him that she may be a daughter of a god or a wife of a fellow warrior. In fact, he even had sexual intercourse with a bride on her wedding night. Because he always won the upper hand, it was almost pointless for their husbands to try and do anything about it. All they could do was stand back and let Gilgamesh do what he pleased. For no reason, Gilgamesh would repeatedly battle against others. When he wanted to make a name for himself, he decided to go to Cedar Forest and cut down all of the trees. However, in order to do so, he had to kill the Guardian, Humbaba. He was stubborn and wanted to be known and remembered forever, even if it meant trespassing and killing other people on their own land. One his most terrible vices was that he wanted to live forever. Because he was afraid to die, Gilgamesh became obsessed with his own mortality.
It wasnt until Gilgamesh met Enkidu that his virtues really showed in the novel. Before this incident even took place he had two dreams. Both of them were about a meteorite crashing and an axe at his door. He wasnt able to move either one of them so instead he embraced it. His mother then told him to continue competing against them. According to his mother, it meant that he was going to meet someone who he would soon embrace and it was make him a better man that he ever was. When he embraced Enkidu as his brother, their friendship helps to calm him down and focuses him on a different light. However, once Enkidu passed away, Gilgamesh continue his appropriate place in the world and ended up becoming a better ruler. He was able to do this by abandoning his glory, authority, and prosperity.
Some of the cultural expectations of the people during the ancient times include abiding the law. The people of ancient times strongly believed that the law should be followed regardless how their leader treated them. Gilgamesh made his people believe that they were below him. It didnt bother him that he would rape women anytime he felt like doing so. Women were expected to let him take advantage of them and not fight for their rights. More importantly, Gilgamesh expected his people to come and work together if needed. They were to fight in battles and help each other win them. But of course, Gilgamesh would have to get the glory for it because he was their ruler.
I learned a good lesson in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Consequences are to be expected. A decision made today will have consequences that can last a lifetime. And sometimes when seeing some you love in pain or dying, it can change who you are forever. Although in the beginning Gilgamesh seemed to be a selfish, mean person, he changes in the end by bettering himself and becoming a much improved leader.
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