Gilgamesh

Question: What do you think about Shiduri’s advice to Gilgamesh about how to cope with the reality of death? (168-169). Do you think this good advice? Why is Gilgamesh still unable to comprehend her at this stage of the story? Why does he still desire to see Utnapishtim?

                Shiduri said, “Gilgamesh where are you roaming? You will never find the eternal life you seek…Humans are born, they live, then they die, this is the order that the gods have decreed” (p. 168). She then continues by offering advice, telling Gilgamesh to live his life to the fullest. She suggests things such as wearing bright colors, bathing himself in oils, and offering himself fully to his wife’s embrace.

                Gilgamesh is vexed by her advice and perhaps empowered by the vehemence of his response. He is fueled by his grievance over the loss of Enkidu. He must find Utnapishtim. He must complete his quest. There is nothing Gilgamesh has ever been unable to do.

                Upon finding Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh is asked, “Why are your cheeks so hollow” (p. 174)? Gilgamesh, a mighty King, who was never beset by anything, faced the fear of the dreams he had because of Enkidu. He continued on valiantly because of the interpretation Enkidu offered him. Now, he suffers the loss of his friend, his confidante, his equal.

                After Enkidu died, Gilgamesh refused to bury him in case his grief was enough to bring him back to life. Gilgamesh, who has conquered all, must finally face the one thing he cannot conquer as Enkidu is buried. He mourns, “I cannot bear what happened to my friend- I cannot bear what happened to Enkidu- so I roam the wilderness in my grief” (p. 175).

                As human beings, some of us are possessed with a drive to conquer all, to rise above all obstacles. Gilgamesh, a mighty warrior had remained victorious over all he had been confronted with. His relationship with Enkidu brought his life to a whole new level of awareness. Together, they faced and killed Humbaba; together they slayed the Bull of Heaven. Two greater friends could not be found. Yet, in Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh was forever changed.

                Shiduri’s advice was sound; however, impossible to follow. Had Gilgamesh simply returned to his land, to his home, to his power, he never would have satisfied the burning of the question, “Must I die too” (p. 159)?

                It is our undying curiosity, our thirst for life that allows us the strength for the journey. We are creatures of the hunt with a burning need to remain victorious.

                In a life where Gilgamesh had conquered every challenge, he was offered the depth of Enkidu’s friendship. The journey the two had taken had opened Gilgamesh’s eyes to things he had never imagined. Enkidu’s death saw Gilgamesh face fears he had never dreamed possible. His grief fueled a quest that may not have ended with eternal life; however, it was the quest itself that mattered. Never would have Gilgamesh been able to dress himself in bright colors, or enjoy the embrace of his wife had he not attempted with all his might to vindicate the death of Enkidu. Never would he have returned victorious had he not journeyed to cheat his own inescapable death. The power of life rests in the quest. The understanding is the journey.

                We see in Gilgamesh the ability to give it all the strength you have. We see in Gilgamesh the ability to face all of our fears. We see that even the strongest men need the bond of honorable friendship. We see in Gilgamesh the thirst for the quest. May we all seek to answer even the toughest of life’s questions. May we all walk hard until the journey is done.