Epic Of Gilgamesh Character Analysis

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Character Development Through Friendship People tend to think that they know how their life is going to pan out, but then someone can come into the picture and change everything. Often times all you can do is swim with the tide and hope for the best. In The Epic of Gilgamesh translated by N.K. Sandars, the relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu develops from one of rivalry to a union of brotherhood, changing the nature of the two friends. The relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu develops through conflict into friendship. When Enkidu arrives to town, he challenges Gilgamesh's authority by “[preventing] Gilgamesh from entering the house” (Sandars 69). This conflict well displays their original adversarial relationship by bluntly telling the reader that they are fighting with each other. Even throughout this original conflict, they soon realize they have much in common and that they enjoy each other's company. Before they embark on their quest to kill Humbaba, Gilgamesh refers to Enkidu as, “[his] friend” showing that there has been growth in their …show more content…
In other words, it is characterized by partnership and relying on each other. The elders advise Gilgamesh to “let Enkidu lead the way” so they could be more successful by working together (Sandars 75). By letting Enkidu lead the way, they become more of a team. Not only does this show their reliance on each other, but it also shows that they trust each other. Gilgamesh works with Enkidu to kill “Humbaba with a thrust of the sword to the neck, and Enkidu his comrade [strikes] the second blow” and they worked together to kill Humbaba (Sandars 83). By working together to kill Humbaba, they have a better chance of success. They demonstrate their partnership by fighting together. Their friendship exhibits the growth of each character through cooperation for a common goal, of completing their quest, leading to the betterment of both

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