Lust & Friendship in "The Epic of Gilgamesh"
Imagine a loss so profound it echoes through the chambers of your soul. The severing of a bond that had rewritten the very story of your existence.
Gilgamesh was not only King of Uruk, he was also one-third god.
And about four thousand years ago in a land called Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh was not just the king of Uruk and one-third god,
he was also a big problem.
Think of the most problematic person in your life. Now make that person a god-king. This was Gilgamesh.
Typically, when I imagine people of 4000 years ago praying it’s for food or healing. But the people of Uruk needed this man stopped.
Gilgamesh was sleeping with everyone’s wives.
So, the people of Uruk prayed for help.
The gods, in answer to everyone’s prayers, did something very interesting. They made Gilgamesh a friend.
Enkidu was formed from mud, made to rival Gilgamesh.
He challenged Gilgamesh and fought him to a standstill. They became inseparable.
Gilgamesh no longer had an interest in taking all the women.
Enkidu’s frienship civilized him.
True growth often comes through connection and friendship.
He found happiness in adventuring with his friend, and in the quiet moments of companionship.
Together they:
Slayed Humbaba, the giant fire breathing boar
Cut down Cedar trees and built a ship
Insulted some gods
Were attacked by a bull sent from heaven to punish them
Eventually managed to kill the bull
Ridiculous adventure is the literal foundation of great friendship.
The goddess Ishtar became enthralled with Gilgamesh.
She was the living embodiment of sexual desire. But the lusty Gilgamesh took one look at the beautiful goddess and remembers all the previous men she had promised to make happy, only to destroy.
As he points out to her in their exchange, he has nothing she truly needs. He would end up like all her previous lovers, cast aside or dead when she tired of him.
She became angry that he didn’t want to marry her.
And to punish him, she killed Enkidu.
Perhaps the saddest theme in Sumerian mythology is that there was no reunion with loved ones in the afterlife.
In his grief, Gilgamesh set out on a journey to find immortality.
After much effort and many setbacks, he found the herb that would give him eternal youth. But it was taken from him by a serpent while resting after his long journey.
Denied immortality, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk, dedicating the remainder of his life to being a good king.
Although Gilgamesh failed to achieve immortality, his quest changed him. He returned as a wiser, more compassionate ruler.
I would argue that when he came back home he was more himself.
I don’t think he ever stopped missing his friend.
Keep good company, maintain and mend the meaningful bonds. Don’t wait until someone is in a casket to talk about how much they mean to you.
It will save you from yourself.
. -Jonathan The Heroic Spirit