How Did Gilgamesh Become Selfish

The Epic of Gilgamesh tells a story about a hero who was the king of Uruk. Uruk was an ancient city of Sumter and later become a city of Babylonia. There are many stories about Gilgamesh. Some early ones noted to be inscribed on clay tablets. Gilgamesh was two thirds divine and one third man. He is noted for his wisdom and his strength. He was the strongest of all men. He built walls and laid out fields. Gilgamesh could only be tamed by his great friend and partner Enkidu but not beaten. Enkidu was formed from clay and saliva by the goddess of creation named Aruru. “’Aruru wet her hands, /she pinched off clay, /she tossed in the steppe, /she created valiant Enkidu in the steppe (I, 93-95)” Enkidu was who the friend of Gilgamesh was raised

He is portrayed as this strong terrifying man whom fights and rapes women whenever he feels like it. He is the king but instead of protecting and being for the people he takes from them and harass them. His mother is the goddess noted for wisdom who is in the shape of a wild cow and his father was noted for being a protector. Gilgamesh took traits from both parents but in tablet one he isn’t being much of a protector but more like a bully. The men complain to the gods about him. The gods listen and that’s when Aruru takes some clay as well as her saliva and forms Enkidu who was created to Tame Gilgamesh. Enkidu is strong and runs wild with animals. When a hunter sees him he goes and asks Gilgamesh to lend him a prostitute in order to cultivate this animal like man. This worked and he sleeps with her. “Six days, seven nights was Enkidu aroused, flowing into Shamhat. (Vol I,

They want to invade Humbaba’s forest and cut down trees. Humbaba is a big strong demon so being able to invade his forest is not just an old easy task. Gilgamesh gets blessing from both his mother and his father who is a protector. They then start on their quest to conquer this demon. Their whole purpose was to lift themselves higher and earn more fame but to also do gods work. In Tablet Four going into Tablet Five it just talks about both Gilgamesh as well as Enkidu’s journey to the fight. Gilgamesh make many offerings in exchange for protection and insight. Shamash who is the sun god supports them on defeating the demon but Enlil who is a superior god and also the god of earth, wind, and air is not aware. Gilgamesh is aware that he will die one day and attain immortality only by making a name for himself so he takes on this fights to do so. Gilgamesh and Enkidu prevail against the demon Humbaba. Gilgamesh killed the demon by his strength. They turn the trees in which they stole and made them out of monuments or statues in honor of