This is an essay written in five paragraph thesis form about the ancient text Gilgamesh.

Essay by happymonkey125High School, 10th gradeA-, October 2002

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The Gods Had To Punish Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is one of the oldest literary works in the world. The story of Gilgamesh was originally found on twelve stone tablets. In the story, the acts of Gilgamesh do not please the men of Uruk so they complain to the gods that, " A goddess made him, strong as a savage bull, none can withstand his arms. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all; and is this the king, the shepherd of his people? His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble" (Gilgamesh, 13). So the gods cried out to Aruru, the goddess or creation. Eventually Aruru created Enkidu to help Gilgamesh become a better ruler. Once Enkidu and Gilgamesh meet they embraced each other and created an everlasting friendship. Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay Humbaba and kill the bull of heaven.

The Gods are angry so they decided that either Gilgamesh or Enkidu must be killed as a punishment. The Gods decided to kill Enkidu because they strongly desired to give Gilgamesh emotional pain eventually leading to his death.

In the story of Gilgamesh the Gods did indeed have the ability to predict the future. In the beginning of the story before Gilgamesh knew of the coming of Enkidu, Ninsun his mother who was a goddess was able to predict the future. "...The star of heaven which descended like a meteor form the sky; which you tried to lift, but found too heavy, when you tried to move it, it would not budge, and so you brought it to my feet; I made it for you, a goad and spur, and you were drawn to it as though to a woman. This is the strong comrade, the...