Love and Death

Nothing is worse, the saying goes, than a woman scorned. That is unless that woman happened to be a goddess. Gilgamesh is once again pictured as a strong, cultured, heroic figure. Such an image catches the eye of Ishtar, the great goddess that has been watching his adventures. She goes to him and asks him to become her lover. From the start Gilgamesh wants no part of her. He lists all the things she has done to her former boyfriends and refuses to become one of them.

The reaction of Ishtar should have been expected. No matter how much a mortal is half-god, a full one cannot be rebuffed without consequences. In this case she sends the Bull of Heaven. In context the beast is supposed to invincible and creates Earthquakes.  Of course, the two heroes who destroyed the other monster in the forest once again steps up to take on seeming invincible forces. Protecting themselves and the people of Uruk against the destruction, Gilgamesh and Enkidu once again wins against impossible odds.

At first it seems the heroes have continued a winning streak, but the goddess isn't done in her fury. She takes up her cause and the defeat of the Bull of Heaven with the father of gods. He becomes equally as enraged for destroying two god-like creatures. At this point the story turns completely around. Everything that was positive becomes negative, with the gods cursing Enkidu with deathly sickness. He begins cursing having found Uruk and the woman who taught him the ways of civilization. That quickly reverses when he thinks how much happiness and glory leaving the nature living brought.

The death of Enkidu changes Gilgamesh as he throws off the beautiful robes and kingly attire. Foreshadowing Hercules generations later, he puts on the skin of a lion. His last physical reminder for the once great friend and sidekick is a large and ornate statue. This death will change him into a more introspective character after years of fighting, lording over his subjects, and making a name for himself. Death of a loved one will do that. Finding out nothing is permanent can even humble the strongest.

All the twist and turns from highs and lows or unexpected responses take an otherwise cliche story and makes it profound. You don't expect the main character to turn down a goddess' request for a relationship. Instead of the glory of once again defeating a threat, it turns into personal tragedy. The story asks profound questions about consequences for actions, no matter how well intentioned. Telling the truth can bring death, but is there really any other alternative? Gilgamesh was placed in an uncompromising situation. Sometimes good stories come from dark events beyond the control of the character. It certainly changes the tone and seriousness of the later chapters.

Writing Assignment:

Think of a time when things seemed to be going great. Contrast that with a time when it seemed things went bad or wrong. Take both of those and write about the differences in feeling, circumstances, and how it changed perspectives.

Write a poem or short memorial in honor of someone who has died.

Instead of a love letter, imagine writing a letter to someone who you respect and yet can't accept proposals of affection. Consider if such a letter should ever be written or why.

Vocabulary:

lamentations

abominable

threshold

misery

veil