In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist of the same name is first described to the reader as a valiant warrior. Beowulf is smart, super strong and skilled in combat. He exemplifies Germanic ideals and heroic codes including loyalty, courtesy and pride. Beowulf is everything a young man should be, despite his sometimes arrogant attitude. His image is enforced with tales of a high-stakes swimming match against Breca and the slaying of Grendel as well as Grendel’s mother. Establishing himself as a hero, Beowulf attains the fame he desires.

“When I was younger I had great triumphs… every[one] supported my resolve to come here to you .. because they all knew of my awesome strength (416-418).”
– Beowulf

Post fame, Beowulf is ready to transition into a more mature role. The narrative illustrates a fifty year gap in Beowulf’s life and upon return, the reader is introduced to a different man. Beowulf is often separated into two “acts” or the the two different phases of Beowulf’s life: young and old. While Beowulf has retained his strength and bravery from act one, he has transitioned into a wise and reliable king in act two.

The protagonist is now described as a selfless king who acts for the good of the people instead of for his own greatness as he may have when he was younger. He no longer seeks fame and the battles he does fight are carefully chosen. He rises to kingship after proving himself trustworthy, supporting a heir to a throne instead of rushing to power himself. He leads his nation well, and in turn he is completely praised.

Unfortunately, at the end of the epic the reader is left confused. An aged Beowulf dies upon the venomous bite of an enemy dragon. Beowulf retrogresses in maturity, his decision to fight the dragon rash and a way to proclaim greatness for a final time. Completely disregarding the security of his people, Beowulf reverts to his premature warrior ways. While the epic poem illustrates the perfect man as warrior and leader in different times of his life, the ending is ambiguous and the message of the story is left uncertain.

Spotted this weekend at Potter’s Wheel Tavern, King Gilgamesh of Uruk was seen with a new friend, Enkidu (Of where? We don’t really know.) Rumored to be dating the infamous Shamat of Uruk, Enkidu was introduced to Galgamesh by their mutual harlot friend. Gilgamesh, known for his insatiable taste in women, hot body and his sometimes unfavorable ruling ways is most often seen with other royal socialites. Enkidu, a far cry from royalty, is said to be a child of the wild, raised by beasts and unexposed to the more civilized luxuries of life.

It is unclear as to why Gilgamesh, son of former King Lugalbanda and goddess Ninsun, has been hanging out with Enkidu. While they were previously seen pumping iron together at Tigris Sports Club earlier this week, their physique is about all they have in common. Rumor has it that  Gilgamesh is set to embark on a three day journey to Cedar Forest, in attempts to dethrone its notoriously violent leader, Enlil. Perhaps Enkidu has been named Gilgamesh’s newest bodyguard and right hand man, but we can’t be sure.

When reached for comment, both parties declined. We were able to get in touch with Ninsun who claims that Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s friendship has developed organically and while rather odd is of benefit to both parties. “As you know, my son is short tempered, arrogant at times, too brave for his own good […] Enkidu has showed him patience and compassion. Humility. He’s most definitely a blessing in disguise.” she said.

For now, we’ll continue to speculate this odd pairing. Until then, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest celebrity news. Celebrity tip or spotting? Send to [email protected]!​