The Character That I Easily Identify - Essay Example

Question Number Three: The character that I easily identify with is Enkidu, and this is because he symbolizes the non-civilized and natural world. Enkidu dies prematurely because of a punishment emanating from gods, due to his role in the killing of the Bull of Heaven. He rightly believes that it is unfair to him, as the same punishment is not given to Gilgamesh. In this epic, the story is mostly about Gilgamesh, but Enkidu presents a fascinating character; and in which it is highly possible for a reverse in the title of the epic to read as, the Epic of Enkidu (George, 14). In this book, Enkidu is an opposite character of Gilgamesh, and there only similarity lies in their bravery and strength. I identify with Enkidu, because he is a responsible man, with some sense of loyalty. For example, in the epic, the narrator gives the description of the trapper meeting with Enkidu. The narrator denotes that the face of the trapper was full of fear. This is because Enkidu wore some animal skins as his garments, and he was there to protect the animals from the hunter. After ensuring that they were safe, Enkidu thereafter withdrew with the animals to the wilderness. This narration depicts the character of responsibility that Enkidu had. He was responsible for ensuring that animals were safe (George, 24). He was also loyal to the human race by not attacking the trapper. These are characters that resonate with my character traits. I believe in being loyal, and taking up responsibility of my various roles within the society. Enkidu believes in morality and justice, unlike Gilgamesh who did not believe in justice and morality. This is depicted when Gilgamesh made it his duty to rape any woman within the kingdom who was out to get married. Enkidu detests this behavior and goes out to stand against Gilgamesh, for purposes of preventing him from committing such an injustice. On this basis, the character trait of Enkidu as a believer of justice and morality depicts itself (George, 27). I also believe in the rule of law, justice and morality. In my view, it is extremely wrong, for any person, irrespective of their social standing within the society to take another person’s woman for sexual purposes. Based on this believe, just like Enkidu, I will never keep quiet when another person is violating the rights of a vulnerable individual within the society. The character of Enkidu also depicts the manner in which I view nature and an individual’s relationship with God. For instance, the narrator tells us that Enkidu was created by Aruru, a goddess. This directly reflects my religious believes. It is within my beliefs that man is a creation of God, and he emerged from clay (George, 14). From this epic, Enkidu was created 1/3rd human and 2/3rds beast. When we analyze these forms of creation, the 2/3rds of beast is equal to the 2/3rds of the gods. This is because the narrator tells us that Enkidu was an equal of Gilgamesh. 2/3rd of Gilgamesh personality was of the gods. In my creation belief, man was created as an image of God, and as such, we also possess some characteristics of God, just as Enkidu. Enkidu also had a need of a friend and a companionship. After having an affair with Shamhat, the temple prostitute, Enkidu’s loyalty shifts from the animals, to the human beings. This prompts Shamhat to take him to the shepherds so that they can initiate him into human civilization. Shamhat also gives him some clothes to make him look decent. Enkidu seeks to endear himself to the people of Uruk, by challenging King Gilgamesh immoral practices (George, 19). This in turn creates a very strong relationship between Enkidu and King Gilgamesh. They fought the enemies of Uruk together, and that included the “Bull of Heaven”. When he learnt that he was about to die as a punishment for this act, Enkidu began cursing the gods, but when he was told that Gilgamesh will bury him in great honor, Enkidu regretted his actions. This is because there was a strong bond of friendship between him and Gilgamesh. It also shows how devoted he was to the friendship he had with Gilgamesh. So, it was an honor to him, for Gilgamesh to perform the burial rituals (George, 34). I also believe in the need of creating personal relationships and associations. Nobody can live this life by himself, and as such, we need friends whom we can trust, and love. These aspects are depicted in the relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. We find that, after his death, Gilgamesh was full of sorrow, and ordered the entire kingdom of Uruk to mourn with him. Devotion is also another virtue that I value in life. I believe that being devoted to a cause can always results to the fulfillment of an objective under consideration. For instance, due to the devotion he had for his friendship with Gilgamesh, Enkidu agreed to fight the demon Humbaba, alongside Gilgamesh. This is despite knowing that it was against the will of the gods. In conclusion, the epic identifies Enkidu as a helper of Gilgamesh, and his roles changes as the chapters’ progresses. Enkidu emerges as brother, a soul mate and an equal to Gilgamesh. He begins to live as a wild man, raised by wild animals. He is crude and unrefined, until he meets Shamhat, the temple prostitute who initiates him to civilization through sex. Due to his desire in forming associations, Enkidu arms himself for the sole purposes of protecting the shepherds who took care of him. He decides to challenge the King of Uruk due to his uncontrollable oppressions. These acts of Enkidu portray him as morally upright individual, who believed in justice. He is also a brave man, for he took arms to a challenge the king of Uruk, and this is despite being a stranger. However, Enkidu manages to change the personality of Gilgamesh through friendship rather than force. The lesson learnt here is that there are always other means of overcoming challenges, other than using force. This means are efficient, and long lasting. Works Cited: George, A. R.. The epic of Gilgamesh: the Babylonian epic poem and other texts in Akkadian and Sumerian. London: Penguin Books, 2003. Print. Read More