Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay

The balance between nature and civilization is a very important aspect for humanity. Humanity is a very important characteristic for people to have it in them. Especially, the people who are related in the politics. Humanity means helping, caring, selfless for others in every possible way. In the Epic “Gilgamesh” the King of Uruk, Gilgamesh, is terrifying, brutal and mean to his people. He was strong and unstoppable. He took whatever he wants, anyone who disagreed got trampled, and he raped his warriors noble wives. Upon the plea from the people of Uruk, the Gods create an equal to Gilgamesh, which is Enkidu. Gilgamesh was one-third human, and two-third god. On the other hand, the creation God, Aruru, creates Enkidu with clay. Enkidu is a giant

Aruru creates Enkidu as Anu instructs her. “Let them summon Aruru, the great one, She created the boundless human race. Let her create partner for Gilgamesh, mighty in strength, Let them contend with each other, that Uruk may have peace” (I. ll. 80-85). The people of Uruk plead the gods for the peace of Uruk from the great Gilgamesh. Therefore, the Aruru creates Enkidu to equal Gilgamesh. Aruru makes Enkidu with clay. “Aruru wets her hands, She pinched off clay, she tossed it upon the steppe, She created valiant Enkidu in steppe, Offspring of potter’s clay, with the force of the hero Ninurta” (I. ll 90-95). Enkidu is wild hairy man who lived with animals, fed on grass, dressed as animals, sucked milk from wild animals, and was not aware of people or inhabited land. “He was made lush with head hair, like a woman, The locks of his hair grew thick as grainfield. He knew neither people nor inhabited land, He dressed as animals do. He fed on grass with gazelles, With beasts he jostled at the water hole. With wildlife he drank his fill of water” (I. ll 95-105). Enkidu does learn human kind and become one, and it takes a harlot to make him a man. “Shamhat loosened her garments, She exposed her lions, he took her charms. She was not bashful, she tool his vitality. She tossed him, a human, to woman’s work, As in his ardor he caressed her. Six days, seven night was Enkidu aroused

“They set bread before him, They set beer before him. He looked uncertainly, then stared, Enkidu did not know to eat bread, Nor had he ever learned to drink beer” (II. ll. 30-34). The Harlot tells him to eat and drink the food. He learns to eat and enjoys it! “Enkidu ate the bread until he was sated, He drank seven juglets of the beer. His mood became relaxed, he was singing joyously” (II. ll. 38-40). While living in the wild Enkidu only sucked milk from the wild animals, but now we see Enkidu learning to eat like humans, he takes the harlot’s instruction for eating. Now we see a more civilized Enkidu compared to the beginning, he starts to wear clothes and eat food like