Despite the endeavors of Gilgamesh and Enkidu to be similar to gods, the two heroes overestimated their power and neglected the fact that they were both mortals, which led to tragic consequences. By the end of the epic, it becomes evident to Gilgamesh that every human being is bound to die no matter how much heroically he has behaved. However, in the beginning, both men do not intend to subdue their physical force, relishing the things they can gain with it. For instance, Enkidu is introduced as a hero whose heart is “delighting with the beasts in the water,” meaning that he is not afraid of strong animals but instead, treats them as equals (Anonymous I.112).
A double transformation of Enkidu’s character makes one ponder over mortality from different angles. At first, when Enkidu becomes acquainted with Gilgamesh, he considers his past actions inhumane by saying, “terror has entered my heart” (Anonymous II.191). However, by the end of the epic, Enkidu changes his views under the effect of his dream, which makes Gilgamesh ask him, “Why, my friend, does your heart talk profanity…?” (Anonymous VII.71).
The repeated use of the word ‘heart’ signifies that eventually, Enkidu realizes that true heroism is not about strength but about using it in the right direction. In the end, “his heart so angry grew calm,” meaning that the hero accepted his fate and regretted his wrongdoings (Anonymous VII.149). Whereas Enkidu’s conflict with the gods causes his death, he serves as an example for his friend Gilgamesh, who starts thinking over his deeds.
At the same time, one must admit that the two heroes had their reasons for thinking that they could become immortal. For years, they have been doing whatever they wanted without being punished, which is why they thought they were invulnerable. However, as the epic’s ending demonstrates, Gilgamesh and Enkidu had been wrong, and their seeming immortality did not allow them to avoid imminent death.
Work Cited
Anonymous. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Translated by Andrew George. New York: Penguin, 1999.