Introduction

Epic of Gilgamesh is a text that describes the life of a Sumerian king who ruled a long time ago. It is amongst the oldest pieces of literature that has varied themes and approaches essentially in any literature work. The text has also embraced the rich use of symbols, and other aspects are befitting a good piece of literature. It is, however, prudent noting that the author has expressed Gilgamesh in different versions such as human, wild and divine creature (McCaughrean & Parkins, 1999). This review of the book authored by Geraldine McCaughrean, David Parkins, Epic of Gilgamesh will have a deep analysis of the different forms in which the epic presents the main character. Wild traits, divinity, and the human aspects are evident and distinct in the story.

Idea of Human, Wild and Divine

The epic describes Gilgamesh as the most successful human king in the land.  He is described to use an iron fist in his ruling where he would subject his followers to slavery and bondage. Gilgamesh takes whatever he wants from his followers and makes them work to death especially when constructing the walls of Uruk. This brings out an idea on a human who in most cases will take advantage of powers bestowed on them. The text asserts that Gilgamesh used to sleep with brides night before their weddings. As human beings, he is exhibited as having a high appetite for sex (McCaughrean & Parkins, 1999). Gilgamesh had great influence on the lives of people he governed just like human leaders offer innovative and creative leadership.On this note, Enkidu who is described as the wild king also exhibits behaviors that bring about the human idea. The human aspect of Enkidu is portrayed when the two are seduced by temple prostitutes. After the seduction experience, the wild king gains his self-consciousness and his humanity. It is said that the wild man copulates for six days and seven nights. After copulation, the wild man gets back to the animals but the animals fail to recognize them, and they run away from Enkidu. The human idea is developed further when the wild king feels that he could o longer run like animals as he lived before. With the help of Shamhat, the wild king feels the need for a companion and decides to meet Gilgamesh, who becomes a great friend. The two lives in a great companion in Uruk as happy humans. The text describes Enkidu as a huge and terrifying person covered with hair and living with wild animals. The wild king is also strong, and these attributes were also evident to Gilgamesh. Although he lived with other humans and was not covered with hair, Gilgamesh mistreatment to the people of Uruk made the population feel that he deserved to live with animals (McCaughrean & Parkins, 1999).

The text describes the two, Enkidu and Gilgamesh, as wild animals with the latter only being a bit tamed than the former. Although Gilgamesh is a sign of civilization and dominion of man, he mistreated the juniors and showed no humanity in his actions. Nevertheless, the eventual friendship between the wild king and king of the humans is a taming process since Enkidu tames Gilgamesh just the same way Shamhat tames Enkidu. In essence, the companionship helps the two finding inner harmony between them. The text explains an evolution process where a person with animal characteristics eventually changes to a normal human. Some scholars have observed some similarities between the text and biblical teachings. Enkidu can be compared to Ishmael and Esau, who both had animal-like traits but later turned to normal civilized human beings. The text gives insight that civilization is a learning process, and Enkidu just goes through a self-assessment and discovers that he should not dwell in the wilderness with animals. The relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is a vital point in the story as it brings out a clear distinction between the idea of human and the wild.

The other thematic idea propagated in the story is the relationship between human and divinity. According to the story, Gilgamesh is described as two-thirds god and only a third human. The goddess status attributed to Gilgamesh is due to his superhuman strength and endurance. Nevertheless, the concept of mortality makes the people believe in the human idea of the person. Gilgamesh in different versions such as human, wild and divine creature (McCaughrean & Parkins, 1999).). The divine gods in the story try to prove to appoint that the oppressive king is not god, and there was a supernatural being. To bring this point, the gods create Enkidu, the wild man to challenge the dominance of Gilgamesh to the people of Uruk. The new king of the wilderness becomes friend with Gilgamesh, and the death of Enkidu makes him realize that humans are mortal beings. The death of Enkidu is a turning point in the idea of human and divinity. Gilgamesh starts a journey to seek the knowledge and immortality. The story ends with Gilgamesh gains knowledge but losing immortality that is a clear distinction between humankind and divine. The power of gods is also exhibited by the great floods that are experienced in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In essence, the floods are viewed as a purification process by the goddess to the human race. From the story, the kings were considered as a divine being and were required to get in a symbolic marriage with the temple goddess annually. The two friends also acknowledge the existence of divine intervention to enable them kill Humbaba the monster.  Thus, they appreciate the help of gods in their victory.

Conclusion

Epic of Gilgamesh is an exciting story that has different thematic approaches and imagery has been effectively used in the process. The ideas of human, wild or divine are a strong concept that is greatly outlined in the text. It is evident that the ideas are separable and human beings will always remain humans and can never be wild or divine. Despite the super strength that Gilgamesh enjoyed, he late realized that he was human beings just like the others he mistreated (McCaughrean & Parkins, 1999). The creation of Enkidu by the gods is a clear indication that there are more powers than those with the Gilgamesh. It is clear that the death of Enkidu makes Gilgamesh very emotional and dawns on him that death was eminent.  Death is a normal occurrence in humans, and divine creatures have a life after death. The strive to get knowledge and immortality begin after the death of the wild king, but, unfortunately, the strive to immortality becomes unachievable while knowledge becomes part of human kind. To sum it up, the story ‘’Epic of Gilgamesh’’ is a clear description of the distinction between human, wild and divine creations. Thus, each has got a duty to perform to ensure that life is complete, and the three cannot be overlooked at all. In their distinctiveness life is whole.

References

McCaughrean, G., & Parkins, D. (1999). The epic of Gilgamesh. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

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