Why Did They Choose Enkidu?

All throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh, we as the readers see that Gilgamesh is a very rash, boastful, cruel, and unjust ruler. Gilgamesh is terrible and all-powerful, and many of the people of Uruk complained that Gilgamesh was not doing his job- he was supposed to protect and enrich the people there, not terrorize them. Enkidu was actually created so that Gilgamesh could be distracted from his tyrannical rule, and they could be friends together, etc. In tablet two, if we recall, we see that Enkidu is furious with Gilgamesh’s treatment of newly-wedded wives, and he aimed to put a stop in it (thereby creating the “instant” friendship). In addition, as we see in tablets two and three, we see that it was actually Gilgamesh who proposed going into the Cedar Forest, killing Humbaba, and cutting down the sacred trees for their own use. Meanwhile, Enkidu, even though we was wild and recently domesticated, erred on the side of goodness and caution, warning Gilgamesh not to go. However, as Gilgamesh’s friend, because Gilgamesh was ruler and was ambitious, he was determined to carry out the deed, and Enkidu faithfully goes along with him to be blessed by his mother, Ninsun.

I feel that Enkidu has always been a faithful companion to Gilgamesh and respects his fellow creatures, people, etc., and every bad thing he does is either for Gilgamesh’s gain, for revenge, or is not done intentionally. See, in tablet four, we see more of Enkidu’s faithfulness by consoling Gilgamesh with his dreams. Enkidu knows that Gilgamesh is determined to get to Cedar Forest and slay Humbaba, but the dreams seem to deter Gilgamesh from charging on. But, like a faithful friend, Enkidu cheers up Gilgamesh and puts a positive spin on all the nightmares that he has had with the destruction and bad fortune that might come from the journey to Cedar Forest and killing Humbaba. Therefore, Enkidu encourages Gilgamesh not to be afraid- now, I think that is pretty faithful, kind-hearted, and with good intentions. Throughout tablet five, Enkidu frequently gives Gilgamesh hope and words of encouragement. One could probably make the argument that Enkidu was the one who caused Humbaba to die, but there are many reasons against that: first of all, he was just shouting words of encouragement of Gilgamesh’s original intent to kill, and secondly, it was NOT Enkidu who killed Humbaba but was really Gilgamesh.

The second reason why Enkidu was the one chosen to die was because of his involvement with the Bull of Heaven from Ishtar and her father, Anu. True, it was Enkidu who was the one who attacked the bull first, but my argument against that is the fact that the bull had already caused the deaths of many people and was wreaking havoc on the land of Uruk. In fact, Enkidu was more of a king than Gilgamesh was- he was actively helping to protect the city. In addition, in the end, it was still Gilgamesh who eventually ended up killing it, even though Enkidu was the first to respond to the destruction.

All the while, Shamash (a god) actually supported and helped with the killings of Humbaba as well as the Bull of Heaven, and so, it doesn’t make sense that the gods decided that they are responsible for their actions, given the fact that some of the gods actually supported the killings. In addition, Enkidu was actually created by the gods, and so it doesn’t make sense that they let him die like that. Enkidu was a faithful and a noble being who stood by Gilgamesh this entire time. Now, I don’t know if Gilgamesh being 2/3 god gives him any reprieve, but I personally don’t see how Enkidu should die for his actions. Instead, it seems as if most of the work and ideas was given by Gilgamesh, and Enkidu was just following orders like a good friend. Therefore, I say with great certainty and argument that Gilgamesh was the one who deserved to die, not Enkidu.