Is Enkidu’s death ordained by the gods? Why him and not Gilgamesh?

Enkidu was created by the goddess Aruru.  “Let them summon Aruru, the rest one, She created the boundless human race” (1. 82, 83).  Aruru created Enkidu to match the strength of Gilgamesh because he would be too strong for he is two-third divine.  The plan is to get Enkidu to fight against Gilgamesh, because was ruling Uruk with an iron-fist.  Enkidu and Gilgamesh fought but, the friendship between the two grew, “Shamhat was telling the dreams of Gilgamesh to Enkidu.  Each was drawn by love to other” (1. 295, 296).  The two god-like men developed a powerful bond that the dreams they had, they were able to share with one another.  The friendship change their perception on how to continue their journey,  then it took a turn for the worse.

The time came where Enkidu’s life was shortening.  “My friend laid on me the greatest curse of all!  I feared the battle but will die in my bed, My friend, he who falls quickly in battle is glorious” (7. 168-170).  Gilgamesh grew to love his friend Enkidu, he cried for him to Siduri.  Gilgamesh has grown to be selfless because of the death of his friend, he has grown to feel what love is. Enkidu had died instead of Gilgamesh because his purpose was to remove the tyrannic rule over Uruk.  The sacrifice of Enkidu was not in vein because  the gods are truly testing Gilgamesh because he feared death, he wanted to live forever so he would not  have to experience death.  “Death lurks in my bedchamber, And wherever I turn, there is death!” (11. 248, 249)  Gilgamesh being immortal would be impossible. Gilgamesh grew to understand his ways and headed to Uruk, and continued to accept the truth.