Kingship In Gilgamesh Essay

Kingship plays an important role in The Epic of Gilgamesh. Their are many characteristics of kingship such as being a leader, ruling and protecting over their people, and last but not least, being ready to sacrifice themselves if need be. A great example of someone who exemplifies the qualities of kingship is Jesus Christ. He obviously was a strong leader considering people still not only talk about him, but worship him to this day. He also protected his people during his time such as the apostles or disciples. And lastly, He sacrificed himself. Not only for his apostles or himself, but for everyones salvation.

Gilgamesh to myself does not fulfill the duties of a king in the beginning of the epic. Gilgamesh is to be king from birth. However, from the beginning of the epic we learn that he is not a leader or “shepherd” king. He is more of a tyrant focused on personal desires rather the welfare of Uruk. Gilgamesh has little value for any human life other than his own due to his often rampages of rapes and murders. He was cruel

considering he would rape virgins often or sleep with women on the day of their wedding. Although Gilgamesh is the greatest warrior alive at the time, he still doesn’t fulfill the duty of protecting his people either. He would often leave the walls of Uruk unattended and in decay.

To get Gilgamesh to diverge from his tyrannical ways the gods create Enkidu.

Enkidu will be his equal and balance Gilgamesh out. Contrary to what the gods wanted, they become the best of friends and Gilgamesh acquires a deep love for Enkidu. Enkidu then dies and Gilgamesh mourns deeply over his death. Gilgamesh can’t stop worrying about his own death.
He is so flawed by being a mortal that the conflict between his divinity and humanity ignites a quest inside of him to seek out immortality. Gilgamesh finally recognizes that he is not above all humans and is terrified by this idea. To find immortality he must find Uta-Napishti (Who is the Mesopotamian Noah). Uta-Napishti was granted immortality by the Gods because he survived the Deluge. He tells Gilgamesh that there is a plant on the bottom of the sea that will help him obtain immortality. Gilgamesh finds the plant, but a serpent steals the plant from him as it sheds its

skin.

Finally in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh learns that he is an actual human instead of a god and he must accept his mortality. This leads to him realizing the only true way to achieve immortality is to achieve fame. Fame will make his name and city immortal by keeping their names carried on forever. Gilgamesh throughout his journey has learned the value of human life and He finally focuses on the welfare of Uruk instead of his personal desires. He now wants to rule over Uruk with wisdom and care.

As Gilgamesh returns to Uruk he is empty handed and also mortal. But, Gilgamesh has finally learned that while he may not be able to live forever, humankind will. Learning that Uruk, the city he abandoned, in his sadness and horror, is magnificent and admirable, Gilgamesh realizes this is as close as you can get to immortal for any king or mortal. Gilgamesh now speaks pridefully of the cities walls and people because he is focused on protecting and promoting Uruk instead of himself. He now values his peoples lives and by the end of the epic, Gilgamesh fulfills all duties of kingship. He is now much more responsible and wise. He is an admirable leader, protects his people and is ready to sacrifice himself anytime Uruk would need it.