The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the world's first epic. The protagonist is
Gilgamesh, king of
Uruk, in southern Mesopotamia. While the main's
character's existence and office are historical, dating to circa. 2700
BCE, the deeds attributed to King Gilgamesh are legendary.
Gilgamesh is an arrogant ruler. This is demonstrated by his rising
every day and rudely waking his subjects by beating on a drum (tocsin).
Gilgamesh insists on being the first person to sleep with every virgin
in his kingdom. At every wedding, before the bride and groom consumate
their union, Gilgamesh must first visit the bridal tent. Only then may
the bride give herself to her husband.
Because of Gilgamesh's oppressive rule, the people cry for help to the
gods of Uruk. Their plea is heard and a sort of counter-balance is
created in the person of Enkidu. However, Enkidu must first be brought
in from the wild and civilized by a temple prostitute.
The prostitute brings Enkidu to Uruk where he challenges Gilgamesh.
After what might be described as a friendly wrestling match, in which
Gilgamesh defeats his challenger, the two become inseparable because
Gilgamesh is so impressed by Enkidu. One day, as Gilgamesh sees the
bodies of the dead floating in the river, he decides it is time to make
a name for himself before death takes him too.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu go to the Cedar Forest where they defeat Humbaba,
the lord of the forest. After the battle, when Gilgamesh is washing
himself, Ishtar, queen of
heaven, attempts to seduce him. When
Gilgamesh spurns her advances, Ishtar becomes enraged and tries to kill
Gilgamesh with the Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay the bull,
but the gods punish Enkidu by taking his life.
Distraught with grief over the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh goes to
Utnapishtim to learn the secret of eternal life. Unsuccessful in his
quest for eternal life, Gilgamesh is offered a consolation prize: There
is a plant at the bottom of a body of water. Eating the plant will
grant one immediate rejuvenation. Gilgamesh finds the magical plant,
but it is stolen by a serpent. Faced with his own ultimate mortality,
Gilgamesh returns to Uruk a changed man. After his death, his subjects
praise his greatness.