Enkidu's Humanity

Passage: p. 40 : “Because of her you eat the food and drink.... Gilgamesh the king will build a statue / to celebrate the fame of Enkidu.”

After Enkidu curses Shamhat for bringing him to the city and civilizing him, Shamash reminds him that she was also the one to bring him to Gilgamesh. Shamash’s comments indicate that civilization is superior to nature, implying that Enkidu should be thankful that “because of her [he can] eat the food and drink the palace affords… [and] wear the garments suitable for a prince.” According to Shamash, Enkidu now rises above the animals that he once associated with, adding that “the great ones of the earth bow down before [him].” Though Enkidu resents Shamhat at first for removing him from nature, he comes to agree with Shamash in that he has gained more from civilization and blesses the harlot instead. The idea of immortality is suggested in Shamash’s claim that “Gilgamesh the king will build a statue to celebrate the fame of Enkidu.” This way, Enkidu would gain immortality with a lasting tribute and with his fame, both of which would supposedly endure past his death. Gilgamesh also tries to gain this sort of immortality through his dangerous quests in the hopes of becoming famous. Even though Enkidu first appears more beast than man, he becomes more human in nature through his encounter with Shamhat and his friendship with Gilgamesh. He is mortal and is susceptible to sickness just as any other man. Though Gilgamesh is considered more divine than human, he is also mortal and will inevitably die despite his attempts to evade death.