The snake has often been used as a symbol of deceit and trickery that results to the downfall of man. This is seen in the Bible when Adam and Eve were tempted and deceived by the snake to eat the apple to gain eternal life and power. In The epic of Gilgamesh, the same symbol was attributed to the snake. The Symbolism of Water as Power in Genesis, Exodus and Gilgamesh Water is a powerful symbol represented in even the most basic functions of life. From the nourishment of plants to the hydration of the human body, water sustains all of life on this planet.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an an ancient Mesopotamian work and one of the earliest pieces of world literature. The story is set in and around the city-state of Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia, the lands between the Tigris and Euphrates river during the second and third millenniums BCE. The story’s main protagonist is the king of Uruk named Gilgamesh, whose name means “the offspring is a hero” or “the old man is still a young man”. The interpretations of Gilgamesh’s name alludes to the protagonist’s qualities and to the major themes of the story. Gilgamesh is an epic hero who contends with mortality and the relationship culture has with inevitable death. It is thought that Gilgamesh rules around 2700 BCE and his notoriety throughout the region was attributed to Uruk’s monumental city walls. His architectural accomplishment features prominently in the poem and convey’s deep meaning throughout the poem. The walls of Uruk represent a sense of permanence in contrast to the fleeting nature of human life. Gilgamesh struggle in the poem is grounded in the puzzling nature of mortality and society’s relationship with mortality. The role of civilization is another thematic concept that is weaved throughout the poem. The contrasting relationship of nature versus civilization is embodied through several characters such as Enkidu and Shamhat. Giligamesh is a powerful king and an awe-inspiring warrior that is two-thirds divine and one-thirds human. However, it is the struggle to conceptualize and internalize what it means to be human and all that it entails that grasps the attention of readers throughout the centuries. It is Gilgamesh’s humanity that is most intriguing and plays the central role throughout this poem. His transformation throughout the poem is not far fetched and is applicable to any point in history including today’s society. The contention with mortality is a struggle that all humans must face and accept however it is the choices and actions that humans make that defines the life that we have. Certainly in this epic poem, Gilgamesh’s journey and adventures are grandiose however, the themes of the poem are central topics to society’s worldwide.

The purpose of reading the Epic of Gilgamesh is to learn something about human history. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a means for pseudo-scholars such as myself to understand the beliefs, customs, and culture of ancient Mesopotamia. It offers an unique perspective into the world of Sumerian culture. The story’s theme and elements reflect what Sumerian culture encompassed and the values of its people. The story begins with a description about Uruk’s walls and magnificent ziggurats, or temple towers that surrounded his city. The architectural wonder of the walls is a means for Gilgamesh to achieve a sense of immortality. The walls will outlast him and will survive as a testament to his life. The narrator then describes Gilgamesh as a ruler. He is a selfish oppressive ruler occupied with small desires such as lusting over the young women of his city. Gilgamesh was a cruel despot whose physical beauty, strength, and wisdom was overshadowed by his dictatorial practices. The gods hear the lamentations of the citizens of Uruk and create a foil for Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh’s foil is named Enkidu and possesses the qualities that Gilgamesh lacks. Gilgamesh epitomizes the accomplishes of civilization whereas Enkidu represents the visceral profile of the primitive side of man. Enkidu is innocent and uncorrupted of the ways of man. He cares for the animals of ancient Mesopotamia and undoes the traps that hunters set for the beasts. Enkidu’s meddling with hunter’s trap is the beginning of the eventual relationship Gilgamesh will have with Enkidu. Enkidu is a an important component in Gilgamesh’s travels and adventures as well as his mental and emotional transformation throughout the epic.

Symbol and Metaphor in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about the fate of man and, more specifically, the nature of his accomplishments in the context of impending death. It is a battle between the virtues of civilization and the virtues of man in his natural, “savage” state.

Enkidu’s relationship with the animals of wild prove to be a source of contention with the hunters of Uruk. The hunters can not catch any game due to Enkidu undoing all the hunter’s traps. The hunters bring their plaints to Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh decides to send a temple prostitute to tame Enkidu. The role of the temple harlot, Shamhat is a crucial one for her role in this epic is multifaceted. Shamhat is a representation of civilization and Enkidu’s intimate contact with Shamhat is a means of introducing Enkidu to civilization. Sex with Shamhat was a calming force that domesticated Enkidu. Once Enkidu is domesticated, he has permanently lost the vital force of wilderness that coursed through his veins. Enkidu was no longer a wild man who roamed the steppe, now he was a man who knew the pleasure of being with the opposite member of his species.

“Shamhat loosened her garments, she exposed her loins, he took her charms. She was not bashful, she took his vitality. She tossed aside her clothing and he lay upon her, she treated him, a human, to woman’s work, as in his ardor he caressed her. Six days, seven nights was Enkidu aroused, flowing into Shamhat. After he had his fill of her delights, he set off towards his beasts. When they saw him, Enkidu, the gazelles shied off, the wild beasts of the steppe shunned his person. Enkidu had spent himself, his body was limp, his knees stood still, while his beasts went away. Enkidu was too slow, he could not run as before, but he had reason and expanded his understanding.”

The connection that Enkidu has with Shamhat is one that transcends the bodily contact that they share. They simply do not just have sex, Shamhat shares her culture with Enkidu. It is implied that for men to gain reason and logic they must be part of a larger unit, namely civilization or society. Man is only as strong as the society that he is part of. Shamhat is a representative of society and her contact with Enkidu is a “taste” of the pleasures that civilization has to offer. Civilization is offered as an alternative to the chaotic and whimsical state of primitive man. Civilization represents order and shows a sense of triumph over perceived fickle ways of the wild. Civilization is also a means of cultivating men and ensuring their survival in an apprehensive world. Therefore, Shamhat is the key ingredient in Enkidu’s transformation to the great man that will accompany Gilgamesh. Without Shamhat, Gilgamesh’s mental and emotional journey would not be possible. Shamhat modified and cultivated a man befit to be the companion of Gilgamesh.

Once the harlot teaches Enkidu everything there is to know about being a man, Enkidu learns about Gilgamesh the ruler of Uruk. Enkidu is outraged over Gilgamesh’s excesses and travels to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh. Just as Shamhat was Enkidu’s domesticator, Enkidu becomes Gilgamesh’s domesticator. Enkidu is the only man who comes close enough to match Gilgamesh’s strength. Strength is a means of power and the encounter between these two is ultimately a contest between power. Just as Enkidu arrives, Gilgamesh is in the middle of forcing his way into a brides wedding chamber. Enkidu gets in Gilgamesh’s way and blocks his passage into the chamber. Their wrestling match is one of “epic” proportions. Both of these men are men that exhibit extreme physical prowess. At the end of the match, Gilgamesh prevails. Although Gilgamesh prevails, he still acknowledges Enkidu as a brother since he was the only man capable to match Gilgamesh in terms of strength and power.

Enkidu is Gilgamesh’s metaphorical “horse-breaker”. Although Gilgamesh represents the facets of culture and civilization he rules his citizens like a wild bull. With Enkidu’s companionship, Gilgamesh transforms from a wild bull to a man who is becoming wiser and more astute in his actions. Gilgamesh’s emotional development continues once the two men embark on a journey to slay Humbabe the fearsome giant that guards the cedar forest. The pair decide to steal trees from the great cedar forest that is forbidden to mortals. The loathsome demon Humbaba is a servant of Enlil the god of earth, wind and air. The two heroes travel to the forest and fight the monster. The monster Humbaba is a manifestation and a representation of what is unknown and terrifying to man. There are characteristics of nature that are puzzling and formidable. These aspects are a threat to the culture of man and man instinctively seeks to oppress or kill it. Mankind seeks to lord over nature and this fight is man’s metaphorical triumph over the mysteries of nature.

This fight is also significant in its crucial role in the development of Gilgamesh’s character. Gilgamesh embarked on this adventure not just for notoriety and fame but also to send great cedars back to Uruk so that they may be used for building a gate and other architectural structures. Gilgamesh is evolving from a selfish ruler to one that must take into account the needs of the city of Uruk.

Upon their return, Ishtar, the goddess of love makes romantic advances toward Gilgamesh inviting him to be her husband. Gilgamesh taunts Ishtar for her infantile and immature nature and spurns Ishtar. Infuriated, Ishtar asks Anu, the god of the sky, for the Bull of Heaven so that it can cause chaos and havoc in Uruk. Ishtar is granted the Bull of Heaven and send it to Uruk. The Bull causes years of famine and much destruction. Enkidu and Gilgamesh wrestle the bull and kill it.

This point of the story displays Gilgamesh’s immature nature and lack of foresight. Gilgamesh’s insults towards Ishtar a goddess is one that cause a cataclysmic chaos for a whole society. Gilgamesh forgets that his role as rule means that his actions have consequences that affect a whole society. Despite Gilgamesh’s tremendous advances in his emotional maturity, Gilgamesh still needs improvement. However, the next event is what ultimately causes Gilgamesh to confront the hardest struggle mankind must face: the inevitability of death.

The gods have a council and decide Gilgamesh and Enkidu have committed a great transgression. The punishment the gods have decided is death. One of the two heroes must die to pay for their misdeed. The lot falls to Enkidu since Gilgamesh is part god. Enkidu succumbs to a mysterious illness, suffers, and eventually dies. Before dying, Enkidu experiences visions of the underworld and shares them with Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is frightened of the prospect of death and is heartbroken when his friend dies. Gilgamesh grieves heavily for his friend Enkidu and is mortified over the his own eventual death. Instead of accepting death as being part of the fabric of humanity, Gilgamesh sets off on a quest to find Utnapishtim and to get the secret of immortality from Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim survived the great flood that predated Sumerian culture. The Great Flood bears a strong semblance to the Great Flood that is described in the Old Testament of the Hebrew bible. The concept of the flood is one that hold deep significance for this epic poem and to the culture that it is set in.

Gilgamehs’ journey takes him to the twin-peaked mountain called Mashu, where the sun sets into one side of the mountain at night and rises out of the other side in the morning. Once Gilgamesh reaches Mashu, he encounters two scorpion monsters that guard its entrance. At first the monsters refuse Gilgamesh entrance into the the tunnel that passes through mountain. However they soon relent and allow him passage. He passes through the tunnel in complete darkness and emerges in a beautiful garden by the sea. By the garden he meets Siduri, a tavern keeper who inquires about Gilgamesh’s quest. Her response is below:

“Gilgamesh, wherefore do you wander? The eternal life you are seeking you shall not find. When the gods created mankind, they established death for mankind, and withheld eternal life for themselves. As for you, Gilgamesh let your stomach be full, always be happy, night and day. Make every day a delight, night and day play and dance. Your clothes should be clean, your head should be washed, you should bathe in water, look proudly on the little one holding your hand, let your mate be always blissful in your loins, this, then, is the work of mankind.”

Siduri explains to Gilgamesh that he must not worry himself about the nature of death. Death is an inextricable feature of being human. To be human is to die. Gilgamesh’s last feat is to deal with death and all of its manifestations. His journey to Utnapishtim is a journey into mankind’s own historic struggle to understand death. Siduri’s speech does not deter Gigalmesh from his quest to find Utnapishtim so therefore Siduri directs him to Urshanabi the ferryman that will Gilgamesh through the Waters of Death and to Utnapishtim.

Urshanabi takes Gilgamesh to Utnapishtim and once Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim; Utnapishtim relegates to Gilgamesh the story of the flood to him. Utnapishtim describes how the gods met in council and decided to destroy mankind through a flood. Ea, the god of wisdom, was the only god that opposed the plan and warned Utnapishtim of the impending doom that was to befall humankind. Ea instructed Utnapishtim to build an ark and to stock the ark with two animals of each so that they can repopulate the earth again after the flood. Once the flood came and the water receded, the gods looked upon the destruction and regretted their decision. In reward for his obedience and subservience, the gods gave Utnapishtim eternal life. Men would die, but humankind as a species would continue. Humankind as a whole would live on through time. The story of the flood bear significance in this story because it represents the cycle of humanity: life, destruction and renewal. Utnapishtim reiterating the story of the flood is not just purely for historical purposes but to remind Gilgamesh that humanity is cyclical and death is just part of that cycle.

After the Utnapishtim finishes with his story of the great flood, Gilgamesh insists yet again for the secret to immortality. Utnapishtim agrees to give him the secret if Gilgamesh is able to stay awake for a week. Gilgamesh agrees to the test and immediately falls asleep. The exhaustion and fatigue from his journey made Gilgamesh a weary man and simply unable to perform this last task. Despite Gilgamesh’s divinity, Gilgamesh is ultimately still mortal and is subject to the inadequacies of being human. Utnapishtim echoes the words of Siduri and tells Gilgamesh that it is futile to seek immortality

“Your strive ceaselessly, what do you gain? When you wear out your strength in ceaseless striving, When you torture your limbs with pain, you hasten the distant end of your days. Mankind, whose descendants are snapped off like reeds in a canebrake! The handsome young man, the lovely young woman, death…No one sees death, no one sees the face of death, no on hears the voice of death, but cruel death cuts off mankind. Do we build a house forever? Do we make a home forever? Do brothers divide an inheritance forever? Do rivers rise in flood forever? Dragonflies drift downstream on a river, their faces staring at the sun, then, suddenly, there is nothing. The sleeper and the dead, how alike they are! They limn not death’s image, no one dead has ever greeted a human in this world. The supreme gods, the great gods, being convened, Mammetum, she who creates destines, ordaining destines with them, they established death and life, they did not reveal the time of death.”

Yet despite this second speech Gilgamesh still does not grasp the concept of death and its obstinate place in our society. Because Gilgamesh fails his test, Utnapishtim orders Gilgamesh to clean himself, don new clothes and to immediately make way towards his home city of Uruk. Just as Gilgamesh is about to leave, Utnapishtim’s wife convinces Utnapishtim to give Gilgamesh a second chance. Utnapishtim relents and informs Gilgamesh about a rejuvenating plant that is found at the bottom of the sea. This miraculous plant is one that restores youth and bestows the eater immortality. Gilgamesh makes quick work to find the plant and secure. Gilgamesh makes plans to give the plant to the elders to insure in the authenticity of the properties of the plant. Once he has the plant in his possession,Gilgamesh goes to bathe and while bathing a snake comes along and steals the plant. The serpent slithers away, sheds its skin and gains its youth back.

The serpent and its role in foiling the attempt by Gilgamesh to attain immortality is another symbol that alludes to the significance of serpents in Sumerian culture. In the Sumerian world, Ningizzida, the god of the serpent is “the lord of the Tree of Life”. Although Gilgamesh himself lost the ability to gain immortality and the opportunity to pass it to the elder of Uruk, he finally finally acknowledges the inevitability of death. The story ends where it begun with a description of the walls of Uruk and the architectural structures that Uruk has. Gilgamesh is content to know that his name will transcend his death and that his legacy will continue through his accomplishments.

In this mystical tale of friendship and the quest for immortality, the theme of grief is emphasized when Gilgamesh is forever changed by the death of his dear friend Enkidu. Gilgamesh is confronted by the struggles of mortals and is profoundly effected by the injustice that was Enkidu’s untimely death. For Gilgamesh, Enkidu is a symbol for the natural world. His character is vital to the transition that Gilgamesh goes through and his search for immortality is sparked by the grief he experiences. Gilgamesh begins the epic as a rash, arrogant young king who takes what he wants with little regard for anyone else. He forces himself on women, and forced men to do his biddings for him. He saw himself for the fraction of a god that he was, and for him that put him in a position higher than noblemen and peasants alike. Though he is the hero of this epic, he had to go on a long journey and underwent many hardships (Norton 1.29) to become the great king he left in his legacy, including the loss of his friend. Through themes of grief and friendship and symbols of nature and mortality, it is clear that Gilgamesh must experience this tragedy in order to learn the lesson that death is inevitable and the only way achieve immortality is to live fully.

The friendship that builds between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in undeniably symbolic of the relationship between man and the natural world. His death causes a major disruption for Gilgamesh mentally, and changes the way he envisions humanity and life in general. Enkidu is born from nature, raised by nature and only becomes interested in the fruits of civilized life when he encounter’s humanity. Since he can no longer connect with nature in the same way again, which is privy to the complexity of the relationship between the Sumerians and nature, he proceeds to making his mission seeking to fight Gilgamesh. Once the two eventually become friends and set out on their quest to kill Humbaba, it is clear that Enkidu encourages Gilgamesh to take the life of Humbaba. The fact that Gilgamesh agrees shows that there is trust between them, so their bond is very influential to Gilgamesh and his decision making. After Enkidu gets word of his sentencing, he curses everyone for playing a part in taking him out of the wilderness and removing him from nature, which ultimately lead to his death. It is only after the god Shamash enlightened him did he realize that if it hadn’t been for Shamhat meeting him, he would have never met Gilgamesh. Enkidu becomes content with dying because he gained a beautiful friend to whom he was totally devoted. His death effected Gilgamesh so greatly because he had found a true friend in Enkidu. Even Ninsun, when interpreting Gilgamesh’s dream, told him that Enkidu was a companion who rescues a friend (1.295) implying that he was in need of that kind of relationship. With a kinship this strong, Gilgamesh would naturally be heartbroken at his death. The theme of grief is heavily shown through the dark tones in the dialogue of Gilgamesh over Enkidu’s body.

“”May the Roads of Enkidu to the Cedar Forest mourn you and not fall silent night or day.

May the Elders of the broad city of Uruk-Haven mourn you.

May the peoples who gave their blessing after us mourn you.

May the men of the mountains and hills mourn you.

May the pasture lands shriek in mourning as if it were your mother.”” (8.8-13)

In this passage, Gilgamesh speaks and calls upon all living things, humanity and the natural world to mourn his passing. Before, Gilgamesh was irreverent towards the earth and humanity, yet after experiencing loss and grief, he cries out to the mountains and plains like family to mourn Enkidu. He wanted the entirety of the earth to lament his lost friend. This tragedy causes a major change in the way that Gilgamesh sees life, death and mortality.

Gilgamesh tries desperately to answer the eternal question that is death. He struggles to understand the finality and experiences very human emotions, and contemplates existence. Through Gilgamesh is two-thirds a god, his morality is shown through his grief. On his journey, he encounters Siduri, who could be interpreted as a character symbolic of truth. She gives Gilgamesh a different perspective on life. As he changes by simply coping with the idea that life is never promised, she also introduces to him the idea that his life could inevitably be short as well. She encourages him to be happy day and night (10.72) she does not necessary believe in trying to leave behind any kind of legacy but rather to only focus on the time he has on earth. Though it would seem to be an answer to his quest, to not pay mind to death because it is inevitable, but Gilgamesh does not listen to her and feels there is still more knowledge to be had. He seeks this further knowledge in Utanapishtim, who gives him the secret to the magic youth flower. The fact that the flower is bitten by the snake and then dies, is symbolic of the themes of death and loss because it serves as yet another illustration of the truth about life and death. Though Gilgamesh left him empty handed, it is possible that Utanapishtim serves the purpose of teaching and reiterating this lesson to Gilgamesh.

As Gilgamesh journey’s home he comes to the realization that his legacy already thrives in Uruk which is his pride and glory. He transitions from seeking the truth and meanings of life to coming to the acceptance of his mortality. As he looks upon the city, he says to Urshanabi Study the foundation terrace, and examine the brickwork, (11.314-315) and marvel at the beauty of his many creations. The theme of grief is present throughout this epic through the death of the symbolic character Enkidu, and his death not only changes Gilgamesh, but also teaches him a valuable lesson that eventually allows him to fulfil his life journey. Perhaps if Enkidu had never been sentenced to death, and Gilgamesh would have never learned the lesson, he would never have been able to become a great king.

The Epic Of Gilgamesh Characters