It’s ironic really. When I hear the title and read the prequel section (which details the widespread of the story) that leads up to the actual story of Gilgamesh, I picture some great king, a great hero even, who can do no wrong and is probably the stunning personification of justice and order. Imagine how surprised I was when I started reading and realized that King Gilgamesh is nothing but an all-mighty asshole, at first anyway.

[The asshole himself]

Our story begins with King Gilgamesh, who is terrifying and all-powerful. He sacrifices warriors whenever he feels like fighting, rapes his nobles’ wives, takes whatever he wants from his people, and tramples anyone who gets in his way. The senior men of Uruk protest his actions, and the gods listen. They ask the god of creation, Aruru, to create a rival/foe for Gilgamesh that can stand up to him. She creates a man named Enkidu who shuns civilization and lives in the wilderness with his animal brethren. Enkidu is shunned by his animals once he indulges with a temple prostitute, and,  through the enticing words of said prostitute, learns of King Gilgamesh and yearns to challenge him in a game of strength.  King Gilgamesh has dreams about Enkidu and is told by his mother, Ninsun, that Enkidu is the one to save him.

[The hero to best Gilgamesh (or does he?)]

What ends up happening is that Enkidu becomes outraged at Gilgamesh’s actions, and fights him on a 1v1 fight throughout the city. Enkidu is bested, and conceives to Gilgamesh’s all mighty strength. Something interesting happens where apparently the two kiss and “embrace” each other. It seems to be that in some versions of the story, it depicts them as lovers, rather then friends with lustful tounges, and I find it fascinating that homosexuality was embraced in some way decades ago like how Romans rejoiced in telling stories of men loving each other as well. Of course I find it humorous that two men who were about to murder each other and literally just “kiss and make up” but I think I’ve just watched too many movies.

[D’awwww]

Tablet III-IV basically details the duo’s intentions of fighting the demon Humbaba and their intent to kill him. They longed for adventure to test the bonds of their new friendship, and Enkidu is the one to suggest facing Humbaba. Gilgamesh is warned by the townspeople of the killing machine that is Humbaba and that he should rely on Enkidu to help him navigate the wild. Gilgamesh’s mother, upon hearing the news, summons the god Shamash and asks Shamash to protect her son, as well as adopting Enkidu so that the two may be true brothers. They set out for the forest and arrive there at the end of the tablet. Hearing all the prequel had to say, I was surprised at how much Gilgamesh was almost an antagonist to Enkidu, while Enkidu himself seemed to be the hero of the story at first. I was honestly expecting Enkidu to best Gilgamesh and maybe take over his name, becoming the Gilgamesh that is properly fitted as “the epic king” but this story proved me quite wrong. It seems that the friendship these two share will allow Gilgamesh to see his actions in a different light and maybe show compassion to the townspeople. Here’s hoping they both make it out of that dreaded forest alive.