In Tablet IX line 3-14 we really see where Gilgamesh starts to really to question himself on whether his death is a possibility. The author has him praying to the god “keep me safe” and when he awoke he” rejoiced to be alive” After taking the time walking the steppe after his friends death the idea of dying was something that he could admit to actually being afraid of. Before the death of Enkidu Gilgamesh had a very different view on death . we can see From the end of Tablet II line 174-189 The author uses words like “unworthy objections” to describe Enkidu’s hesitation to go against Humbaba . Gilgamesh even says how much he is disgusted by Enkidu’s fear of death which completely changes later on when he feels the same fear of death It is like even in his passing Enkidu was still teaching Gilgamesh and his lesson was that death can come to anyone even someone as powerful as him.
Another passage I thought was interesting was in Tablet VII line 57- 116 just after Enkidu gets sick and just before he dies he attempts to curse Shamhat the harlot. which I think is a figure of speech because he has no power to actually curse her. the author used it to describe Enkidu’s needed of something to help him self deal with what he knew was coming “his death”. During low moments people sometimes think of all the wrong that was done to them and this passage shows how easy it was for him to point the blame. after being quickly reminded that without her he would still be in the steppe and wouldn’t have found the great friendship with Gilgamesh his heart was less heavy.
