Entry 8 (Whole epic)

The influence of Gods and their actions within the epic are massive, as the epic would have a totally different significance and ending if somehow the Gods didn’t act the way they did.

For a start, Anu the God of the city, obeying the people’s pleads, creates Enkidu, supposedly the one who was to equalize Gilgamesh and defeat him. Were Anu to be some kind of ignorant selfish God, Enkidu wouldn’t have been created, never meeting Gilgamesh, and never would have they later become the invincible duo.

Then Shamash comes in. Gilgamesh’s mother prays to him for the safety and security of her son, during the journey he is about to embark with his now new companion, Enkidu. Shamash agrees, and grants safety as promised to Gilgamesh. It is most possible that without Shamash protection and company, Gilgamesh might have loosened in self-confidence and moral strength.

When Gilgamesh neglects to Ishtar’s—Goddess—love, she is enraged, sending Gilgamesh and his city the Bull of Heaven, as a curse and punishment. This new challenges, influences Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s relationship, making them more united, more invincible.

The Chief Gods decided, in the heavens that either Gilgamesh or Enkidu should die. Later, Enkidu falls gravely sick and slowly, dies, fact that made Gilgamesh embark on the terrible journey, to find immortality, his only wish left to live for.

What if the Gods had chosen Gilgamesh to die instead of Enkidu? Would Enkidu have become ruler of Uruk…would he want to kill himself too for depression and disgust…?

Finally, we can consider Gilgamesh himself as a God too, as he is 2 parts God 1 part Human. As the main character in the Epic, he mostly makes his own decisions and as their leader, other characters shall follow him. He is the one who decides to go into the Cedar Forest, he, with such selfish attitude at the beginning, makes the people of the city want another leader so they could get rid of him. If Gilgamesh had accepted, someway, Ishtar’s love, his friendly relationship wit Enkidu might have never grew strong nor eternal.