The Theme Of Friendship In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of how two best friends are brought together to balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The story focuses on the main theme friendship and the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. In the epic, the theme of friendship is the core to the story. The powerful friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is one of the most important factors from beginning to end of the story. At the beginning of the epic, Gilgamesh is a civilized character of excessive pride. He thinks he can do anything and does not acknowledge the possibility of death. He thinks that if he dies doing something extravagant, that people will remember him forever, and to Gilgamesh, this is the equivalent to living forever. However, when Enkidu arrives in Uruk, Gilgamesh is challenged to become a better man and realize that everyone is not immortal. Enkidu reflects the natural world and is created to balance the ways of Gilgamesh. On his journey to Uruk, Enkidu is slowly introduced to the civilized world. Even so, Enkidu is the factor that led Gilgamesh to his realization. After Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh is torn by the loss of his friend. The two friends were so close that, when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh …show more content…
I noticed many things while reading that I could connect to my life and my friendship. It is comforting to me to read about a friendship that is, in some ways, similar to the most valuable friendship in my life. Although Megan and I go through rough patches, as every relationship does, it is reassuring to know that the extreme differences between two people can actually strengthen their relationship. Relationships and friendships that are as strong and mine and Megan’s or Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s are rare to find. It is important to cherish those people when you find them because you never know when something will change or you might lose