Enkidu and Gilgamesh Are One of Newton's Laws of Physics
In the epic, it is explicitly said that Enkidu is considered Gilgamesh's equal -- that in many ways, it is the very reason for his existence. But what struck me was that, in many respects, they are not equal at all. Gilgamesh is a feared but respected king with riches beyond imagination, while Enkidu is a simple character with little understanding of even the most basic concepts of society -- Enkidu is from the world of nature, not the world of men, only joining early civilization after being seduced by a harlot from the city. The only things that make them equal is strength, while dueling they are the only people the other can not defeat.
But what if this taken to mean that Enkidu and Gilgamesh weren't made to be "equals" -- as in exactly the same -- but "equals" as in opposites. To reference Sir Isaac Newton, for every action their is an equal but opposite reaction. The gods made Enkidu as Gilgamesh's equal, but also his opposite. Gilgamesh is reckless, impulsive, stern, and at many times selfish, while Enkidu is much more compassionate, reserved, and selfless. The two are meant to be friends because they are opposite balances, they compliment each other -- Enkidu learns about the world of men, while Gilgamesh must learn from Enkidu about the simplicities but joy of emotion. They are mirrors of what the other is not and must learn from the other, if Enkidu were to survive together could be the pinnacle of what in the ancient times was human perfection with understandings of love and nature, but also having strength and power, something evidenced by when they traveled as "brothers" and fought many a foe, always returning victorious.
P.S. I commented on Dakota and Katie's posts.
But what if this taken to mean that Enkidu and Gilgamesh weren't made to be "equals" -- as in exactly the same -- but "equals" as in opposites. To reference Sir Isaac Newton, for every action their is an equal but opposite reaction. The gods made Enkidu as Gilgamesh's equal, but also his opposite. Gilgamesh is reckless, impulsive, stern, and at many times selfish, while Enkidu is much more compassionate, reserved, and selfless. The two are meant to be friends because they are opposite balances, they compliment each other -- Enkidu learns about the world of men, while Gilgamesh must learn from Enkidu about the simplicities but joy of emotion. They are mirrors of what the other is not and must learn from the other, if Enkidu were to survive together could be the pinnacle of what in the ancient times was human perfection with understandings of love and nature, but also having strength and power, something evidenced by when they traveled as "brothers" and fought many a foe, always returning victorious.
P.S. I commented on Dakota and Katie's posts.
I agree, they are equal but opposite. In this way, they are a literary foil. The introduction actually pointed out that, in creating Enkidu, the gods "provide a companion and foil" (30). I find it interesting that in this, the oldest surviving literature, there exists a literary form that is still used today. Literary foils have always been a favorite of mine and I am excited to see how it plays out in this ancient story.
ReplyDeleteThis relationship is complicated because Gilgamesh and Enkidu are equals but also opposites. They have the same "stormy hearts" and "unequal strength" that make them perfect for no one but each other, but at the same time, Gilgamesh is ambitious, selfish, and reckless while Enkidu is practical, selfless, and cautious. Like Eliza said, they are the perfect foils for each other.
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