The hero’s impurity is not altered by the people’s perception injustice is injustice. Therefore, Gilgamesh’s manipulation and abuse of his people is corrupt, though not perceived as such by himself or by his people. This reality conveys that the action is inherently immoral, but the culture of ancient civilization ‒ to which Enkidu has not become accustomed ‒ accepts it. Enkidu understands the innate corruption of this tradition, and he is outraged by the fact that Gilgamesh precedes the groom in the marriage bed, whereas the citizens see nothing wrong with it. This truth of the immorality of this action is exposed when Enkidu, a man who originally lives among the animals and away from civilization, becomes domesticated, relocates to the city of Uruk, and learns of Gilgamesh’s actions. Although this tradition is imposed by the gods and is considered a blessing on the marriage, its immorality is prominent nonetheless. after he is done, the bridegroom follows” (Mitchell 87). For example, by the will of the gods, Gilgamesh ritually has sex with newlywed virgin brides before their husbands do it is described by a man of the city that “the bridegroom will step aside, and the virgin will wait in the marriage bed for Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh’s power as king grants him permission from the gods to get whatever will make him happy, regardless of its ethical implications or the consequences it may impose on others. In addition to maltreating his people for the initial period of his rule, Gilgamesh also conveys his immorality in his tendency toward selfish pleasures. However, in spite of his brutality and carelessness, Gilgamesh is considered one of the greatest heroes of his time, which conveys that heroism is not defined by morality. The citizens believe that respect for a king should come from a mutual desire for prosperity between a ruler and his citizens, not from fear. They voice to Anu their longing for Gilgamesh to act as a shepherd over them they desire guidance and leadership from their king, in contrast to the dominance and power Gilgamesh exudes through his self-indulgences. Gilgamesh’s people praise and respect him, but this respect comes from a place of inner trepidation the people are afraid of the consequences of Gilgamesh’s malfeasances and the effects his actions will have on them. Suffering from Gilgamesh’s brutality, they cry out to the god Anu: “Is this how you want your king to rule? Should a shepherd savage his own flock?” (Mitchell 73). Though Gilgamesh’s people respect him as king and honor him as a heroic leader, they fear him as people fear a bull who will destroy anything in its path. At the beginning of his reign, Gilgamesh disrespects his people so relentlessly that the citizens of Uruk feel that “the city is possession, he struts through it, arrogant, his head raised high, trampling its citizens like a wild bull” (Mitchell 72). Through the initial period of his kingship Gilgamesh’s poor treatment of his citizens, tendency toward selfish pleasures, and prioritization of glory bring to light the reality that possessing an intrinsic moral compass is not a requirement of a hero.Īlthough Gilgamesh is a well-respected ruler, the citizens of Uruk suffer for his recklessness. However, Gilgamesh is not a virtuous ruler for the beginning of his reign: his immoral actions make him make him not only a corrupt king, but even render him a criminal by present day standards! Nevertheless, he is ultimately venerated as a hero in spite of his immorality because of a change of heart that occurs later on in his lifetime. Gilgamesh, the powerful warrior king of the ancient city of Uruk, is honored as a hero and is revered for his sovereignty, bravery, and strength the citizens of Uruk describe him as a “fortress”, a “protector of the people”, and a “raging flood that destroys all defenses” (Mitchell 71). But does a person have to be just in order to be considered a hero? The ancient hero Gilgamesh proves that this is certainly not the case. When we hear the term hero, names such as Ghandi, Mother Teresa, and Malala come to mind we most often think of the greatest and most influential people in all of history due to the word’s association with attributes such as courage, selflessness, and righteousness.
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