Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is ancient but its themes are universal and similar to issues we deal with in today's world. It is about friendship, love, loss, man's relationship with divinity and the struggle to deal with mortality. The first tablet begins by describing the greatness of Gilgamesh and the city he built, Uruk. It then discusses the young Gilgamesh, who is arrogant and as much a menace to his people as a help. He is so troublesome, his people ask for help and the gods create Enkidu. However, Enkidu is a savage and it takes his union with the harlot to civilize him. This union is an example of the archetypes, loss of innocence and initiation. The harlot initiates him to civilization and makes him a man. At the end of the the first section, Enkidu prevents Gilgamesh from violating another woman; they fight; Gilgamesh wins, but they end up as friends.

It is interesting to note the similar images of Enkidu being made from clay while Adam is made of dust. Both are innocent and are given or lured into knowledge by women. Also note the role of dreams and that of Gilgamesh's mother, Ninsun, in interpreting the dreams.