In exchange for the wisdom Enkidu gains from the temple prostitute he loses several things as a consequence. In the Epic, the goddess created Enkidu in the image of several gods with animalistic traits, and he was “innocent of mankind; he knew nothing of the cultivated land.” However, after lying with the temple prostitute for 6 days he lost his animalistic qualities and became completely human. The wild game that had once accepted him as a part of their world now turned and fled from him because of that change. When he attempts to follow them, the speed and agility he once had fades away quickly. The writing says, “his body was bound as though with a cord, his knees gave way when he started to run, his swiftness was gone.” The Epic reads, …show more content…
It could be said he was one with nature and was a protector of the wild life. After his encounter with the woman he became entrapped by the “civilized” world and its ways. He was made to eat and drink like the city men. The temple prostitute said, “Enkidu, eat bread, it is the staff of life; drink the wine, it is the custom of the land.” She dressed him and with all this “Enkidu had become a man”. Ultimately, I believe his greatest loss was his life. Had he never succumbed to the “woman’s power” and embraced her when she beckoned him, he may have never met Gilgamesh and traveled and fought with him. When the gods decided they must destroy one of the two close companions, they chose Enkidu. So yes, he gained ‘wisdom’ from the temple prostitute, but in a very short time he loses everything including his …show more content…
Once connected to Enkidu he is determined to write his name in the history books. He states, “I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed”. He determines that his first quest should be to rid the Cedar Forest of the evil Humbaba. Enkidu offers his knowledge of the destructive power of Humbaba to Gilgamesh who in turn scoffs at his newly gained knowledge. He labels Enkidu as fearful of death and schools him in saying, “Only the gods live forever with glorious Shamash, but as for us men, our days are numbered”. In essence he was saying that all men die and it was nothing to fear. Even the counsellors of Uruk that he sought out agreed that it was not wise to seek out Humbaba saying, “Gilgamesh, you are young, your courage carries you too far, you cannot know what this enterprise means which you plan.” However, when death comes home to Gilgamesh and Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh goes on his journey to find Utnapishtim. He hopes that Utnapishtim will tell him how to obtain immortality. Instead, through the death of Enkidu and journey to Utnapishtim, Gilgamesh attains wisdom. Also, with his encounters with Ishtar, after refusing her marriage proposal and insulting her based on his knowledge of her previous mates, Gilgamesh gains wisdom in dealing with the gods after hearing the great flood story of Utnapishtim. In the Epic the gods of Gilgamesh are portrayed as wrathful and vengeful