Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh: The Way It Is The Way It Is With FriendsWith Friends

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Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

7 October 20147 October 2014

The epic spares no time in The epic spares no time in moving from triumph to tragedy. moving from triumph to tragedy.

Once Gilgamesh and Enkidu Once Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat Humbaba and return, defeat Humbaba and return, triumphant, to Uruk, Ishtar appears. triumphant, to Uruk, Ishtar appears.

She is the goddess of sex, love, She is the goddess of sex, love, fertility – and war. fertility – and war.

The seeming contradiction in The seeming contradiction in those roles merely serves to those roles merely serves to highlight the violence at the heart of highlight the violence at the heart of powerful love.powerful love.

While she pops up without While she pops up without preamble, it’s worth noting that preamble, it’s worth noting that Ishtar has a larger role in the entire Ishtar has a larger role in the entire epic than in Mason’s verse narrative. epic than in Mason’s verse narrative.

Yet even with her abrupt Yet even with her abrupt entrance, her motive is clear: entrance, her motive is clear: Gilgamesh has won glory, and in Gilgamesh has won glory, and in changing into his kingly attire changing into his kingly attire appears even more beautiful than appears even more beautiful than before. before.

She’s easily drawn to new She’s easily drawn to new things, as well as to power, and (as a things, as well as to power, and (as a goddess) is accustomed to getting goddess) is accustomed to getting her way.her way.

But no sooner does Ishtar preposition But no sooner does Ishtar preposition Gilgamesh than the king rebukes her, and Gilgamesh than the king rebukes her, and fiercely at that. fiercely at that.

Mason cuts much of what Gilgamesh Mason cuts much of what Gilgamesh says (the Mitchell translation includes says (the Mitchell translation includes three-and-a-half uninterrupted pages of three-and-a-half uninterrupted pages of verbal abuse), but what he does include is verbal abuse), but what he does include is more than enough to register our hero’s more than enough to register our hero’s disapproval.disapproval.

Initially, we’re left wondering why Initially, we’re left wondering why Gilgamesh reacts as he does to Ishtar’s Gilgamesh reacts as he does to Ishtar’s advances; after all, he’s not married, advances; after all, he’s not married, we’re told she’s beautiful, and we still we’re told she’s beautiful, and we still remember the king’s overwhelming remember the king’s overwhelming loneliness from the epic’s beginning. loneliness from the epic’s beginning.

Yet as he continues through his Yet as he continues through his litany of insults, a pattern emerges.litany of insults, a pattern emerges.

As Gilgamesh lists every lover As Gilgamesh lists every lover Ishtar has taken, we become well-Ishtar has taken, we become well-acquainted with her history of acquainted with her history of betrayal and pain. betrayal and pain.

Those she convinces to love her Those she convinces to love her know only grief in the end. know only grief in the end.

She turns on those she grows She turns on those she grows satisfied with and forces them to satisfied with and forces them to suffer – and she grows satisfied with suffer – and she grows satisfied with everyone in time.everyone in time.

Gilgamesh points out that it’s naïve Gilgamesh points out that it’s naïve to assume that a goddess could love a to assume that a goddess could love a mortal.mortal.

After all, he’s After all, he’s partpart god, and that god, and that alone had been enough to separate him alone had been enough to separate him from the mortal world until Enkidu came from the mortal world until Enkidu came along. (In this way, she along. (In this way, she isis as he as he was.was.) )

Note that by alluding to her romantic Note that by alluding to her romantic past in the crudest way possible, and by past in the crudest way possible, and by rejecting her advances, Gilgamesh isn’t rejecting her advances, Gilgamesh isn’t just causing as much offense as he can.just causing as much offense as he can.

He’s refusing the ultimate He’s refusing the ultimate temptation, to join with that which temptation, to join with that which transcends our mortal limits. transcends our mortal limits.

This results in a very This results in a very complicated scene, with at least complicated scene, with at least three questionable elements. three questionable elements.

Gilgamesh may not crave what Gilgamesh may not crave what Ishtar represents sexually, but he Ishtar represents sexually, but he soon comes to want what she soon comes to want what she represents personally – immortality, represents personally – immortality, power beyond even power beyond even hishis human human reckoning. reckoning.

Once Enkidu dies, he’ll give in to Once Enkidu dies, he’ll give in to the pursuit of the pursuit of thatthat temptation far temptation far more readily. more readily.

Furthermore, one could argue that Furthermore, one could argue that Gilgamesh shows great wisdom in Gilgamesh shows great wisdom in resisting Ishtar’s advances; most would resisting Ishtar’s advances; most would simply surrender to instinct and submit to simply surrender to instinct and submit to her wishes.her wishes.

On the other hand, is rejecting a On the other hand, is rejecting a goddess – let alone intentionally hurting goddess – let alone intentionally hurting (and therefore infuriating) one – really a (and therefore infuriating) one – really a sign of wisdom? sign of wisdom?

Remember, wisdom matters here; the Remember, wisdom matters here; the story’s supposed to be about how story’s supposed to be about how Gilgamesh learns to come to terms with Gilgamesh learns to come to terms with the things he can’t change, and he’s the things he can’t change, and he’s supposed to be demonstrating supposed to be demonstrating nēmēqunēmēqu..

At any rate, Gilgamesh makes his At any rate, Gilgamesh makes his scorn and displeasure clear, and Ishtar scorn and displeasure clear, and Ishtar goes straight to Anu, her father. goes straight to Anu, her father.

She demands the right to unleash the She demands the right to unleash the Bull of Heaven on Uruk: “I will send Bull of Heaven on Uruk: “I will send [Gilgamesh] something / He would never [Gilgamesh] something / He would never wish to dream. / There will be more dead / wish to dream. / There will be more dead / Than living on this earth.” Than living on this earth.”

By the end of the epic, we’ll learn in By the end of the epic, we’ll learn in time that Ishtar’s perfectly capable of time that Ishtar’s perfectly capable of slaughtering mankind if she’s moved to: slaughtering mankind if she’s moved to: She’s the one who unleashed the Great She’s the one who unleashed the Great Flood that only Utnapishtim and his family Flood that only Utnapishtim and his family survived.survived.

Anu tries to calm her at first, Anu tries to calm her at first, asking her whether she’s considered asking her whether she’s considered every consequence of the action she’s every consequence of the action she’s about to take. about to take.

Successfully bringing the Bull to Successfully bringing the Bull to Earth to kill Gilgamesh will cause a Earth to kill Gilgamesh will cause a famine, he says; you’ll destroy all of famine, he says; you’ll destroy all of your beloved humans again if you your beloved humans again if you don’t have them set aside enough don’t have them set aside enough grain to survive, and you regretted grain to survive, and you regretted doing so last time. doing so last time.

But Ishtar is immovable, as But Ishtar is immovable, as implacable in her rage as Gilgamesh implacable in her rage as Gilgamesh once was in his tyranny – yet another once was in his tyranny – yet another parallel that, weirdly enough, doesn’t parallel that, weirdly enough, doesn’t flatter our kingly protagonist.flatter our kingly protagonist.

Ishtar insists that she’s learned from Ishtar insists that she’s learned from her past, and that she’s taken enough steps her past, and that she’s taken enough steps to ensure that to ensure that somesome of us will survive this of us will survive this time. time.

Moreover, she threatens to shatter the Moreover, she threatens to shatter the gates of the Underworld, unleashing a million gates of the Underworld, unleashing a million dead souls, unless her father complies. dead souls, unless her father complies.

In the end, Anu simply isn’t wired to In the end, Anu simply isn’t wired to resist his daughter’s demands; just as with resist his daughter’s demands; just as with Gilgamesh in the beginning of the epic, Ishtar Gilgamesh in the beginning of the epic, Ishtar has no equal to keep her in check, and no has no equal to keep her in check, and no satisfactory outlets for the emotions that satisfactory outlets for the emotions that overwhelm her.overwhelm her.

She is a creature of instinct and desperate, She is a creature of instinct and desperate, insatiable need, and where those qualities insatiable need, and where those qualities combine with divine power, tragedy usually combine with divine power, tragedy usually follows.follows.

So Ishtar brings the Bull down, So Ishtar brings the Bull down, whereupon the beast’s snorting and whereupon the beast’s snorting and stamping fractures the world. stamping fractures the world.

In an instant, three hundred of In an instant, three hundred of Gilgamesh’s warriors plummet to the center Gilgamesh’s warriors plummet to the center of the earth. of the earth.

But Enkidu sets on the creature before it But Enkidu sets on the creature before it can do any more damage; Mason devotes a can do any more damage; Mason devotes a single short passage to his victory. single short passage to his victory.

In other translations, Gilgamesh is the In other translations, Gilgamesh is the one to kill the Bull while Enkidu holds it in one to kill the Bull while Enkidu holds it in place; Mason shows Enkidu killing it instead, place; Mason shows Enkidu killing it instead, which perhaps makes more sense, which perhaps makes more sense, considering that the gods condemn him and considering that the gods condemn him and not his king. (If Gilgamesh kills both not his king. (If Gilgamesh kills both Humbaba and the Bull, why is Enkidu the one Humbaba and the Bull, why is Enkidu the one to perish?)to perish?)

Once the Bull dies, Ishtar flees to Once the Bull dies, Ishtar flees to the top of Uruk’s walls, cursing the top of Uruk’s walls, cursing Gilgamesh (and, in Mason’s version, Gilgamesh (and, in Mason’s version, Enkidu). Enkidu).

Enkidu responds by ripping the Enkidu responds by ripping the Bull’s leg from its carcass and Bull’s leg from its carcass and flinging it at her – which, in flinging it at her – which, in hindsight, is perhaps not the most hindsight, is perhaps not the most well-considered move.well-considered move.

For the epic spends no time For the epic spends no time basking in its heroes’ glory; it’s too basking in its heroes’ glory; it’s too busy making them suffer. busy making them suffer.

That very night, Enkidu dreams of a That very night, Enkidu dreams of a meeting between the gods.meeting between the gods.

Almost all of them are furious, Enlil Almost all of them are furious, Enlil particularly so: Gilgamesh and Enkidu particularly so: Gilgamesh and Enkidu have killed our Forest Guardian, have killed our Forest Guardian, Gilgamesh and Enkidu have chopped down Gilgamesh and Enkidu have chopped down our trees, Gilgamesh and Enkidu have our trees, Gilgamesh and Enkidu have slaughtered our Bull of Heaven and slaughtered our Bull of Heaven and desecrated its corpse, and Gilgamesh and desecrated its corpse, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu have dishonored one of our own. Enkidu have dishonored one of our own.

Both must die, but Enlil wants Both must die, but Enlil wants Enkidu’s blood alone; he says Gilgamesh Enkidu’s blood alone; he says Gilgamesh should be spared because he’s two-thirds should be spared because he’s two-thirds divine. (He does not acknowledge divine. (He does not acknowledge Shamash’s culpability in the affairs he Shamash’s culpability in the affairs he describes.) describes.)

To his credit, Shamash – who, as it To his credit, Shamash – who, as it turns out, is Ishtar’s husband/brother (I turns out, is Ishtar’s husband/brother (I know, I know…it’s the gods) – interjects know, I know…it’s the gods) – interjects on Enkidu’s behalf, at least in Mason’s on Enkidu’s behalf, at least in Mason’s translation. (In Mitchell’s, he’s as furious translation. (In Mitchell’s, he’s as furious as the rest of them.)as the rest of them.)

No reason is given for this split No reason is given for this split between the gods; Shamash apparently between the gods; Shamash apparently didn’t consult any of the others before didn’t consult any of the others before sending Gilgamesh on his quest, but none sending Gilgamesh on his quest, but none of the surviving tablets explain why. of the surviving tablets explain why.

It is, perhaps, a decision whose It is, perhaps, a decision whose reasoning made inherent sense to reasoning made inherent sense to contemporary audiences, and whose contemporary audiences, and whose explanation has now been forever lost.explanation has now been forever lost.

This whole business strikes audiences This whole business strikes audiences as unfair, to say the least. as unfair, to say the least.

Gilgamesh didn’t exactly request to Gilgamesh didn’t exactly request to be visited by the Bull of Heaven; he and be visited by the Bull of Heaven; he and Enkidu fought to protect the city and its Enkidu fought to protect the city and its people. people.

For that matter, Gilgamesh’s initial For that matter, Gilgamesh’s initial desire to attack Humbaba is not entirely desire to attack Humbaba is not entirely his own: Shamash sent him to do his his own: Shamash sent him to do his bidding, even over Ninsun’s objections. bidding, even over Ninsun’s objections.

How can our heroes be justifiably How can our heroes be justifiably killed for serving the dictates of the gods? killed for serving the dictates of the gods?

Does their willingness to resist the Does their willingness to resist the fates that divinities set up for them fates that divinities set up for them warrant death? warrant death?

It’s important to consider this It’s important to consider this development – this entire section, in development – this entire section, in fact – in the context of Sumerian, fact – in the context of Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian attitudes. Akkadian, and Babylonian attitudes.

Remember, as always, that these Remember, as always, that these cultures considered death an unfair cultures considered death an unfair interruption of mankind’s potential. interruption of mankind’s potential.

Here, the larger forces Here, the larger forces responsible for birth, fate and death responsible for birth, fate and death are portrayed as flawed, shallow, are portrayed as flawed, shallow, irrational, untrustworthy, capricious, irrational, untrustworthy, capricious, arbitrary, – even abusive. arbitrary, – even abusive.

In many ways, the section In many ways, the section provides more ammunition for the provides more ammunition for the camp that sees Gilgamesh as a camp that sees Gilgamesh as a “rebellion against death” rather “rebellion against death” rather than as a simple chronicle of a man’s than as a simple chronicle of a man’s adventures.adventures.

What better justification for What better justification for claiming death is unjust than to claiming death is unjust than to show those who introduced death to show those who introduced death to the universe in an unkind light?the universe in an unkind light?

So we see the tension humans So we see the tension humans felt while regarding the divine, the felt while regarding the divine, the joy of knowing life given by gods, joy of knowing life given by gods, the agony of seeing that life taken the agony of seeing that life taken away by the same deities, and the away by the same deities, and the anger that results from not anger that results from not understanding the greater meaning understanding the greater meaning of the bigger picture.of the bigger picture.

And we are again confronted And we are again confronted with that ancient question: why do with that ancient question: why do the good sometimes perish?the good sometimes perish?

In the meantime, Enkidu knows In the meantime, Enkidu knows the end is near. the end is near.

Mason cuts his enraged, Mason cuts his enraged, frustrated reaction a bit short, frustrated reaction a bit short, keeping only the portion where he keeping only the portion where he curses the harlot, Shamhat, for curses the harlot, Shamhat, for introducing him to civilized life. introducing him to civilized life.

He also curses the trapper whose He also curses the trapper whose visit to Uruk caused Gilgamesh to visit to Uruk caused Gilgamesh to send Shamhat to the Steppe, as well send Shamhat to the Steppe, as well as the great door he and Gilgamesh as the great door he and Gilgamesh built from the trees in the Cedar built from the trees in the Cedar Forest. (He never curses Gilgamesh, Forest. (He never curses Gilgamesh, interestingly enough.)interestingly enough.)

It’s not a dignified moment. It’s not a dignified moment.

To be fair, few of us can greet To be fair, few of us can greet death with any sort of equanimity, death with any sort of equanimity, whether we’re the ones dying or whether we’re the ones dying or merely losing someone. merely losing someone.

We’re much likelier to rage, as We’re much likelier to rage, as Enkidu does, at the unfairness of Enkidu does, at the unfairness of what’s befallen us; most people fall what’s befallen us; most people fall before they’re ready to go, and before they’re ready to go, and Enkidu himself is certainly no Enkidu himself is certainly no exception.exception.

Moreover, his death isn’t even a Moreover, his death isn’t even a glorious one. glorious one.

There are no epic battles for him There are no epic battles for him to fight, no invaders against whom to fight, no invaders against whom he must defend his adopted city, no he must defend his adopted city, no sacrifices he can nobly make. sacrifices he can nobly make.

He’s forced to just sit and wait He’s forced to just sit and wait for the gods to kill him, unable to do for the gods to kill him, unable to do anything to change or challenge his anything to change or challenge his fate. fate.

Shamash comes to him then (at least in Shamash comes to him then (at least in other translations), and tells him this:other translations), and tells him this:

Enkidu, why are you cursing the priestess Enkidu, why are you cursing the priestess Shamhat? Wasn’t it she who gave you fine bread Shamhat? Wasn’t it she who gave you fine bread fit for a god and fine beer fit for a king, who fit for a god and fine beer fit for a king, who clothed you in a glorious robe and gave you clothed you in a glorious robe and gave you splendid Gilgamesh as your intimate friend? He splendid Gilgamesh as your intimate friend? He will lay you down on a bed of honor, he will put will lay you down on a bed of honor, he will put you on a royal bier, on his left he will place your you on a royal bier, on his left he will place your statue in the seat of repose, the princes of the statue in the seat of repose, the princes of the earth will kiss its feet, [and] the people of Uruk earth will kiss its feet, [and] the people of Uruk will mourn you…will mourn you…

(Does it matter if people mourn for you or (Does it matter if people mourn for you or honor you in death?)honor you in death?)

What’s left unsaid is that none of this What’s left unsaid is that none of this happens without Shamhat’s “conversion” of happens without Shamhat’s “conversion” of Enkidu; he simply would have lived out his days Enkidu; he simply would have lived out his days on the Steppe, never knowing the companionship on the Steppe, never knowing the companionship or love he discovered in the city.or love he discovered in the city.

After this, Enkidu calms himself After this, Enkidu calms himself somewhat. Before he passes on, he has somewhat. Before he passes on, he has one last conversation with his friend:one last conversation with his friend:

A man sees death in things.A man sees death in things.

That is what it is to be a man. You’ll knowThat is what it is to be a man. You’ll know

When you have lost the strength to seeWhen you have lost the strength to see

The way you once did. You’ll be alone and The way you once did. You’ll be alone and wanderwander

Looking for that life that’s gone, or someLooking for that life that’s gone, or some

Eternal life you have to find.Eternal life you have to find.

And Gilgamesh, for all his terrible strength And Gilgamesh, for all his terrible strength and prowess, proves powerless in the face of the and prowess, proves powerless in the face of the gods’ demands.gods’ demands.

He can find no words with which to convince He can find no words with which to convince them to reverse their decision, can perform no them to reverse their decision, can perform no feat of strength to prevent them from carrying feat of strength to prevent them from carrying out their will.out their will.

In Mason’s translation, Enkidu dies not from In Mason’s translation, Enkidu dies not from fighting the Bull of Heaven, but from the wound fighting the Bull of Heaven, but from the wound he suffered while battling Humbaba as Gilgamesh he suffered while battling Humbaba as Gilgamesh stood paralyzed – a wound that resulted from his stood paralyzed – a wound that resulted from his prior crippling at Humbaba’s gate, a crippling prior crippling at Humbaba’s gate, a crippling that the king trivialized at the time. that the king trivialized at the time.

In others, he simply falls ill, expiring slowly In others, he simply falls ill, expiring slowly over twelve days as Gilgamesh stands by over twelve days as Gilgamesh stands by helplessly.helplessly.

The ending’s the same either way: Enkidu The ending’s the same either way: Enkidu slips from the world, and Gilgamesh is utterly slips from the world, and Gilgamesh is utterly alone once more. alone once more.

Why am I to die,Why am I to die,

You to wander on alone?You to wander on alone?

Is that the way it is with friends?Is that the way it is with friends?

At this point, Gilgamesh begins to revert to At this point, Gilgamesh begins to revert to his old ways – fixated only on one thing, he grows his old ways – fixated only on one thing, he grows maniacal in his desire to relieve himself of pain.maniacal in his desire to relieve himself of pain.

The only nourishment The only nourishment He knew was grief, endless in its hidden sourceHe knew was grief, endless in its hidden sourceYet never ending hunger.Yet never ending hunger.All that is left to once who grievesAll that is left to once who grievesIs convalescence. No change of heart or spiritualIs convalescence. No change of heart or spiritualConversion, for the heart has changedConversion, for the heart has changedAnd the soul has been convertedAnd the soul has been convertedTo a thing that seesTo a thing that seesHow much it costs to lose a friend it loved.How much it costs to lose a friend it loved.

This three-page section immediately This three-page section immediately following Enkidu’s passing is one of my favorites following Enkidu’s passing is one of my favorites in the epic; it has some truly profound things to in the epic; it has some truly profound things to say about grief, why we grieve, and how we say about grief, why we grieve, and how we recover. recover.

Gilgamesh eventually travels through Gilgamesh eventually travels through the desert – the literal and metaphorical the desert – the literal and metaphorical one – in search of Utnapishtim. one – in search of Utnapishtim.

The book refers to him as “the one The book refers to him as “the one who survived the flood,” and here we see who survived the flood,” and here we see another parallel with a Biblical archetype: another parallel with a Biblical archetype: whereas before we saw Enkidu cast out of whereas before we saw Enkidu cast out of Eden, we’re now told of Ishtar’s Flood, Eden, we’re now told of Ishtar’s Flood, which wiped out virtually everything which wiped out virtually everything except Utnapishtim, his family, and the except Utnapishtim, his family, and the animals he could save.animals he could save.

But the Flood here isn’t merely a But the Flood here isn’t merely a reference to an overabundance of water; reference to an overabundance of water; if Gilgamesh is any indication, water isn’t if Gilgamesh is any indication, water isn’t the only thing that can drown a man.the only thing that can drown a man.

The king is now driven to take The king is now driven to take back what the gods wrongfully took back what the gods wrongfully took from mankind. from mankind.

He aims to defeat death, and He aims to defeat death, and searches for the only man who can searches for the only man who can live forever.live forever.

What Gilgamesh discovers What Gilgamesh discovers during his journey will ultimately during his journey will ultimately determine whether he will be determine whether he will be successful – whether he will recover successful – whether he will recover from pain…or drown in it.from pain…or drown in it.