Gilgamesh is a mixture of the human and divine created by gods that gave him wisdom, physical beauty, and strength. Described as a great ruler over the city of Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia that went through many battles and journeys and never lost any of them. Gilgamesh pictures himself as a strong and immortal creature. Unfortunately, the death of Enkidu makes him vulnerable. Gilgamesh couldn’t accept the fact that his friend is dead. He couldn’t understand how such a strong warrior is vulnerable to death. He says that “the fate of the mankind has overtaken him”(Tablet 10, line 188). The death of Enkidu was a tragedy for Gilgamesh. He describes Enkidu as his friend. He felt like they had a lot in common. Enkidu was Gilgamesh greatest companion as they both went on a journey killing Humbaba.

The death of Enkidu arouses irreversible grief for Gilgamesh. He wants the entire world mourns for Enkidu. He wants “the elders of the teeming city”, “the heights of highland and mountain” to weep for him (Tablet 8, lines 9-16). His sorrorw extends to everything that surrounds him. His reaction to this significant loss is anger. He began to tear and hurl “the locks of his hair” and ripped off and threw away his clothes. Loss of Enkidu is devastating and shattering for him. Gilgamesh lost his closest friend and still denies the truth. He decides to “touch his heart, but it was not beating” (Tablet 8, line 51-52). He feels numb and troubles believing in the fact that Enkidu is dead. Shock and disbelief often accompany the loss of a person. Losing his close friend was very painful for him.