Ur-Shanabi The New Enkidu

After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh goes through a small period of depression over his death, mourning for days. After the burial of Enkidu he then ventures off into the wild wandering and still mourning Enkidu’s death. This is probably the first time Gilgamesh has ever been so alone. He is away from Uruk and without Enkidu at his side. Though interestingly enough it seems that Ur-shanabi fills part of the empty space left by Enkidu, partially assuming Enkidu’s role. The relationship between Gilgamesh and Ur-shanabi is similar to Gilgamesh’s relationship with Enkidu.

Gilgamesh’s first encounter with Ur-shanabi is very similar to his first encounter with Enkidu. At the sight of each other, then immediately follows a fight between the two, “Ur-shanabi saw the bright……, he took up the axe, and he… him… But he Gilgamesh, struck his head…” (79) And a moment later a more friendly relationship develops that is to a much lesser degree compared to Gilgamesh’s relationship with Enkidu. Ur-shanabi becomes like a sidekick for Gilgamesh helping him on his journey to see Uta-napishti. As Enkidu thought of how to fight the bull, it was Ur-shanabi who figured out how Gilgamesh can sail the boat with out the aid of the Stone Ones. Gilgamesh did do the work but this task would have been impossible if it weren’t for Ur-shanabi.

One thing that is striking is how Gilgamesh still has a mindset of that he can do anything on his own. Even after the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh still thinks he as a chance at immortality. Despite that there is signs of maturation in Gilgamesh such as when he tells the tavern-keeper, Ur-shanabi and Uta-napishti of his feats he includes Enkidu, stating that he helped him in his ventures where as before he did not acknowledge Enkidu’s efforts and vital part to his successes. When he talks to the tavern-keepers he says, “[My friend who I loved so dear, who with me went through every danger,][my friend Enkidu, whom I loved so dear,] [who with me went through every danger:].” (77) At this point it is clear that Gilgamesh knows the importance of Enkidu to his successes and there seems to be a genuine feelings for Enkidu, that their relationship was a true friendship and not a “friend with benefits” relationship”.

One thing that is in question is how does Gilgamesh see his relationship with Ur-shanabi. Gilgamesh sees himself as a hero but does he equally acknowledge the efforts of those that helped him like Ur-shanabi also Shamash. Through out the entire journey, Gilgamesh has never achieved his tasks on his own; he has always had someone at his side. Realizing this could also help him realize his own limitations as a human. There is still a part of Gilgamesh believing he has the same capabilities of a god, forgetting that there is still a third of him that is human. With this realizations Gilgamesh could potentially come to terms with is mortality and the basic fact that he is only human.