Eric Sherman
Professor Allen
Lit 2800
10 September 2010
A recent article in the New York Times, called “U.S Urges Iraqis to Try New Plan to Share Power” is very similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the Epic, the king, Gilgamesh is superior above all other men. However, Gilgamesh abuses his power and oppresses the people in Uruk. As Shamhat tells Endiku, “Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven, to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar, the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.” Enkidu’s purpose is to prevent Gilgamesh from mistreating his people.
Recently, this problem has become very apparent. As it says in the opening paragraph, “The Obama administration is encouraging a major new power sharing arrangement in Iraq that could retain Nuri Kamal al- Maliki but in a coalition that would significantly curb his authority.” The Obama administration feels obligated to intervene in order to protect the people of Iraq from the Prime Ministers control. Enkidu’s initial purpose in Gilgamesh was to bring Gilgamesh’s behavior and actions to an abrupt stop. Enkidu tells Shamhat “Come, Shamhat, take me away with you to the sacred Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar, the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection, but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull. I will challenge him. Let me shout out in Uruk: I am the mighty one! Lead me in and I will change the order of things.” (A, 63)
Endiku and the Obama Administration both have the same objectives. The lines, “I will challenge him,” and “Lead me in and I will change the order of things,” particularly stand out because they are exactly what both Enkidu and the Obama administration will do.
The U.S plan is to “alter the structure of Iraq’s government by bringing additional restraints to the authority of Iraq’s prime minister and establishing a new committee with authority to approve military appointments, review the budget and shape security policy.” Endiku takes a more physical approach. During Enkidu and Gilgamesh’s first encounter, “They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber, in the street hey attacked each other, the public square of the land. The doorposts trembled and the wall shook.” (A, 66) After the altercation, “They kissed each other and became friends.” (A, 67). I expect the initial reaction between Iraqi’s prime minister and the Obama I expect there will be conflict during the initial reaction between Iraqi’s prime minister and the Obama Administration While the turmoil may not lead to physical altercations, as in Gilgamesh, there will certainly be tension and disagreements. After the initial tension, hopefully the U.S and Iraqi prime minister will emulate Endiku and Gilgamesh. They will be able to put their dispute aside, and become friends.
