Blooms Literary Themes - THE HEROS ... - ymerleksi - home

70The Epic of Gilgamesh“Match” can mean several things, and initially it suggests a violentstruggle between equally matched heroes, which is what happens.Enkidu strides into Uruk-Haven, welcomed by the population, andtakes up a position blocking “the entry to the marital chamber”—evidently where Gilgamesh is headed to enjoy another man’s bride(18, II, 98). A battle ensues, their mighty conflict shaking the wall.Unfortunately, the text is imperfect here, but they seem to fight to astandstill and soon are kissing and becoming friends.This is the more important way that Enkidu is a match forGilgamesh. Enkidu cannot defeat him and force him to stopmistreating his people. But by becoming his friend (a role for whichonly he is qualified, because he is the only man equal to Gilgamesh),he can give Gilgamesh a companion and assist and accompany himon his journey. From this point no more is heard of Gilgameshmolesting the people. From here begin the heroic adventures.Enkidu’s friendship has called Gilgamesh to rise above taking pettyadvantage of his superiority to ordinary human beings and undertakedeeds commensurate with his greatness.That Gilgamesh and Enkidu love each other is clear. Perhaps itmakes sense to think of this as a homosexual relationship; certainlyEnkidu is powerfully agitated by Ishtar’s attempt to seduce his friend.Perhaps it is no more than a lifelong, life-changing companionshipof beloved equals. Their love for each other is both the reason forEnkidu’s fate and the condition that makes it so poignant. As wehave seen, Gilgamesh and Enkidu together undertake exploits thatneither could, or would, attempt alone. They kill Humbaba; theyreject and humiliate Ishtar; they kill the Bull of Heaven. Although,as we might expect, there is disagreement among the gods abouthow blameworthy this deed is, one thing they agree upon is thatEnkidu must die. Tablet VII begins with the gods in conference (inGilgamesh’s dream), and Anu, father of the gods, declares:Because they killed the Bull of Heaven and have also slainHumbaba,the one of them who pulled up the Cedar of the Mountainmust die!Enlil said: “Let Enkidu die, but Gilgamesh must not die!” (59,VII, 4–6)