The Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet-by-Tablet Study Guide

Introduction to Gilgamesh and Enkidu (Tablets I–II)

The Epic of Gilgamesh opens with an introduction to Gilgamesh, the "two-thirds god and one-third human" king of Uruk. He is described as a mighty, heroic, and wise king who has seen all things and possesses knowledge of all the mysteries of life and death due to his quest for immortality. His journey takes him on dangerous adventures where he defeats monsters and confronts his own mortality. Ultimately, Gilgamesh learns that immortality is reserved for the gods, but human beings can achieve a type of immortality through enduring works and deeds.

Gilgamesh is depicted as a paragon of physical strength and heroic attributes. His unusual nature stems from his demigod status — he is the son of a mortal man, Lugalbanda, and a goddess, Ninsun, making him two-thirds god and one-third human. This divine-human nature presents a central conflict: he possesses god-like strength and abilities, yet is subjected to human frailty and mortality. The central question for him is thus his struggle with mortality and his pursuit of immortality.

Despite his divine status and extraordinary capabilities, Gilgamesh is initially a tyrant to his people. He is harsh, abusive, and exploitative, particularly toward young men and women. The citizens of Uruk pray to the gods for relief from his tyranny. Hearing their prayers, the goddess Aruru creates Enkidu from clay and the spittle of the god Anu. Enkidu is intended to be a match for Gilgamesh's strength and, by engaging him, to distract him from oppressing the people of Uruk.

Enkidu is depicted as a wild and uncivilized being. He lives among the beasts in the wilderness, unaware of human culture and norms. He is incredibly strong, almost on par with Gilgamesh, and embodies the untamed natural world. In a way, Enkidu represents humanity's primal, instinctual side, untamed by civilization's norms. He is the foil to Gilgamesh's divine, cultured, and yet tyrannical persona. While Gilgamesh represents civilization, kingship, and power, Enkidu embodies freedom, innocence, and naturalism. Their contrast and ensuing friendship form a central theme of the epic.

The civilizing process of Enkidu begins when a harlot, Shamhat, is sent by Gilgamesh to find him. She teaches Enkidu the ways of humans through sexual initiation, which is the first step in distancing Enkidu from his animal companions; after this, the animals reject him. Shamhat then introduces Enkidu to human food, clothing, and social customs, teaching him how to eat cooked food, drink beer, wear clothes, and behave in human society. In this context, civilization represents the move away from a state of natural existence, embodying human culture, law, and custom. It is a process of domestication, socialization, and acculturation, through which Enkidu becomes less of a wild, instinctual being and more of a societal, cultured one.

The Epic of Gilgamesh explores the complex relationship between civilization and nature. Initially, Enkidu lives in harmony with nature, embodying natural freedom and innocence. However, once civilized, he becomes estranged from the natural world, unable to return to his previous life with the animals. Civilization, in its desire to tame, control, and order, often stands in contrast to the wild, unpredictable forces of nature. Gilgamesh's tyranny also reflects this struggle: his oppressive rule is a human attempt to establish order and control, but it results in harm and suffering, much as unchecked civilization can harm nature. The introduction of Enkidu presents an opportunity for a harmonious balance between these forces, where the civilized can coexist with the natural. This dynamic interplay continues throughout the epic.

The Journey to the Cedar Forest (Tablets III–IV)

Gilgamesh's mother, the goddess Ninsun, is initially worried about his upcoming journey to confront the demon Humbaba in the Cedar Forest. In an attempt to provide support, she adopts Enkidu as her own, thus making him Gilgamesh's brother and loyal companion. She also invokes the aid of the sun god Shamash, who is often associated with justice and morality. She prays to Shamash because he was the one who ordered the creation of Humbaba, and thus holds influence over the demon. Ninsun's invocation of Shamash is a plea for safety, success, and divine protection on her son's dangerous quest.

Ninsun articulates her fear for Gilgamesh's destiny, expressing that she is troubled by his ambitious desire to challenge Humbaba. She is aware of the risks associated with the journey and fears that Gilgamesh is endangering his own life. Ninsun exhibits a mother's concern for her son's wellbeing, understanding the mortal part of his demigod nature, and worries that his human ambition and drive might lead him into peril.

Dreams often symbolize the inner thoughts, desires, fears, and aspirations of a character that they may not be aware of in their conscious state. Gilgamesh has several ominous dreams on the journey to the Cedar Forest, all of which are interpreted by Enkidu. The dreams usually involve terrifying natural phenomena or encounters with divine entities. They typically indicate some danger or challenge, but Enkidu reassures Gilgamesh that they are positive omens. For instance, Gilgamesh dreams of a mountain falling on them, which Enkidu interprets as a sign of their overcoming Humbaba. He also dreams of a thunderous, terrifying storm, which Enkidu reassures him is a sign of Shamash's support.

The common theme in these dreams is a foreboding sense of danger and struggle alongside the reassurance of triumph. The dreams symbolize the upcoming confrontation with Humbaba, encapsulating Gilgamesh's fears and hopes. Their significance lies in the impending battle: they serve as a psychological exploration of Gilgamesh's subconscious fears and desires, revealing his anxieties and his need for reassurance. The timing of these dreams — on the eve of the confrontation with Humbaba — is a common literary device used to build tension and explore the emotional state of the hero before a significant challenge.