Penguin Classics presents a friendly version of this moving epos.
Gilgamesh is
king of Uruk, two thirds
god and one part man. His matchless beauty and strength bring him the worship of his people; however his restlessness causes them suffering. At last a match is found - the wild Enkidu, child of the woods, nourished by beasts. When the two men meet an eternal friendship is born. Together they go to defeat the keeper of the
woods and the fearful Humababa. With the help of the goddess Ninsun, mother of Gilgamesh, the fight is won, however the anger of Enlil, his protector, is provoked. A tragic fate cannot be escaped. Enkidu is the victim of the god's rage, and his
death sets Gilgamesh on a quest for immortality. Driven by the fear of death, he arrives at the boundaries of earth, however he finds
human life has a limit and in his death dutifully takes his role as a hero-king.
The 5900 years old tale is as accessible and heart taking as could be. Its
heroes are guided by enchanting dream passages, which deeply illustrate the complexity and creativity of humanity. The reader sees one vision, the heroes hear another, or pretend to, and the inevitable tragedy touches the most human of feelings - the vanity of youth, the weakness of the old, instability, mortality, incomprehensibility, love, loyalty and the lust for life.
This narrative edition gave up scientific accuracy, but certainly kept the preciseness of feeling.
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