For this blogpost I have decided to answer Professor Millers discussion question of : What is the purpose of Enkidu’s string of curses in Tablet VII? Why, especially, does he curse Shamhat? For what does he blame her? (VII. 58-86 [pp129-30]) along with Gilgamesh’s death realization.

Death is a lesson Gilgamesh learned throughout his journey as it is something he would of never predicted happening to himself or Enkidu (since he is seen as a God and indestructible.) In Tablet IX line 3-14, Gilgamesh is seen to question whether death was something possible for him but death is inevitable unless you’re a God. Gilgamesh realizes this and becomes better aware of this fact when Enkidu warns him about his fight with Humbaba. Gilgamesh couldn’t even fathom death to the point where he was irked and disgusted by Enkidu’s fear of death at the end of Tablet II line 174-189. This changes later on when Enkidu does die and shows Gilgamesh that even the greatest must die one day.

As Enkidu is dying, he strings curses Shamhat the harlot in Tablet VII. He does this since he begins to realize that he as no control or power over what is coming over him. He is in dismay that death has hit him. He specifically curses Shamhat since he also realizes he has no power to harm her or even put a curse on her for her to suffer the same tragedy of death. During a persons low moments in death, they blame everyone else around them and think of the cruel things that have happened to them that have led them to this point in their lives. Enkedu blames her for having her join the human world of sexuality.