Enkidu And Gilgamesh Comparison

In “Gilgamesh” Anu, the father of them all cried out to the mother of creation to create “a double for Gilgamesh.” The mother of creation, Aruru, heard his pleads and created Enkidu. During Book II, the reader can begin to find that Enkidu is the “second self” to Gilgamesh. On page 85 the shepherds marvel at Enkidu and whisper about how he looks like Gilgamesh with “muscles like rock.” It is very clear that although Enkidu and Gilgamesh are two different people, that they share similar psychical characteristics. On page 86, the narrator tells how Enkidu “guarded the flocks…and guarded them while the shepherds slept.” This quote depicts Enkidu to be caring towards the shepherds while on page 73 Anu cries about Gilgamesh being a tyrant and “savaging

his own flock.” Enkidu can be seen almost as the angel on Gilgamesh’s shoulder. Enkidu is the “better” second self to Gilgamesh. Enkidu also disagrees with Gilgamesh’s actions. On page 87, the narrator describes Enkidu as being angry when he discovered Gilgamesh sleeps with a newly wedded bride. Although the translation from this version of “Gilgamesh” shows Enkidu getting upset because he believes he is in fact the mightiest, it could contribute to Enkidu believing mighty beings should not take advantage of their people. No one in the city of Uruk has been able to fight with Gilgamesh, until Enkidu challenges him. On page 89, Enkidu “stood like a boulder, blocking the door,” not allowing Gilgamesh into the marriage house. They fight and it is clearly a challenge to Gilgamesh since “the outer walls shook.” It’s clear that Enkidu is Gilgamesh’s “second self” because he was able to fight against him.
Throughout Book II, the narrator gives the reader examples how Enkidu was created to be a duplicate of Gilgamesh, but a more moral version. Enkidu was brought to Gilgamesh to almost anchor him down and that is why they were able to become friends.