Gilgamesh (Introduction-Book IV)

      Known as the oldest story of the world, Gilgamesh has a understandable simplicity in its telling. Originally being passed down through verbal forms it repeats many passages in order to ensure consistency throughout time. The discovery and background of the tablets gives the reader a better insight to the origin of the story. These tablets were lost for approximately two thousand years. When finally recovered amongst the rubble of a destroyed empire the magnificence of this literature was not truly understood until they began translation. The well known Standard version was deciphered and translated by Sîn-lēqi-unninni. His epic is the basis of all modern translations. 

       The opening prologue of Gilgamesh begins at the end. The reader is given information of how the story will be told in the end and is thrown into the imagery behind the magnificent city that is explored throughout the epic. The first three books of the Gilgamesh epic are told at a quick pace. Book I starts off by describing Gilgamesh as a powerful, arrogant leader. He is worshiped for his strength but is also feared because of his pride. In turn Gilgamesh is the epitome of a "man's man." This king takes whatever he desires and refuses to listen to reason. The outcry of the people brings about the creation of Enkidu. This character is equal in power and might to Gilgamesh but the opposite of his pride and arrogance. After being raised by animals, it is only through the human pleasure given to him by Shamhat that he understands the desire of a human. Book II brings about Shamhat's civilization of Enkidu. This transformation helps to shape that of Rudyard Kipling's, The Jungle Book. It is only after Enkidu hears of the demands that Gilgamesh places upon newlywed virgins that he becomes enraged and chooses to face Gilgamesh in a fight for power. In turn Gilgamesh wins, but is also persuaded that Enkidu is meant to be a friend and brother. The friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu is created by their equal ability of power and their contrasting ideas of good and evil. Book III faces Gilgamesh with a challenge to attack Humbaba the protector of the Cedar Forest. Throughout the book different people try to talk Gilgamesh out of going on this quest, but he has set his mind towards going. With his decision made Ninsun, his mother, pleads with the gods to protect her son. She also makes Enkidu a brother to Gilgamesh, as well as her son. This distinction helps Enkidu understand the connection he has to Gilgamesh. The fourth book encompasses the journey that Gilgamesh and Enkidu travel in order to reach the Cedar Forest. Sleep becomes an important aspect of this trek. Before Gilgamesh met Enkidu he rarely slept. After the connection was made with Enkidu, Gilgamesh became more human-like and required sleep in order to survive. These times of sleep also brought about dreams that would prophesy to the future of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. 

       Overall the first four books of Gilgamesh help to establish the importance of each character and how they will help to develop the story further. Gilgamesh begins the story in a state of feeling immortal. Through this immortality he is given everything expect companionship. Enkidu is able to fill that void; however, it comes at a cost. Throughout these books I hope to develop these characters more thoroughly in order to fully comprehend the importance of this literature.

Note: Stephen Mitchell's translation was used for reference