Adam Luker
Professor: Dr. Joy Austin
ENGL 2201.U51
28 January, 2012

The Best of the Best of the Best Sir The standards of excellence set forth by heroes and heroines alike bring forth many important and equally fascinating comparisons with real life heroes and heroines throughout history. Heroes and heroines follow a very strict and well defined, predetermined path. These strict paths can be easily referenced at any point during a hero’s journey. The intriguing story of Gilgamesh can be compared in such a manner to real life occurrences of heroism as well as serve, in turn, as a model to follow. The fascinating story of Gilgamesh tells of a hero born of humble beginnings as an underdog leader seen as a tyrant by his own people and through mass paranoia is shunned and put at odds with the gods by means of prayer. Much like the beginnings of all real life heroes and heroines, Gilgamesh shows us that life sometimes, in fact, doesn’t go our way from the beginning. As with any hero and heroine, Gilgamesh cannot undo the hand he is dealt, he must simply prove himself through his actions. The gods responded to the subject’s prayers by means of creating Enkido. Enkido was meant to be Gilgamesh’s arch nemesis; yet through Gilgamesh’s actions over time, Enkido grew to love Gilgamesh as only a brother could. This could only occur if a hero or heroine is worthy of bearing the title given to them by fate. Eventually the kinship developed between Gilgamesh and Enkido would prove itself through the actions of Enkido. Gilgamesh and Enkido fight numerous battles side by side as many real life heroes and heroines do, but the final battle is the one that serves as the best example of sacrifice. Gilgamesh’s spurning of Ishtar’s advances send the goddess into a blind rage releasing the Gugalanna on not only Gilgamesh but Enkido as well. The two brave warriors slay the Gugalanna, in response to the goddess Ishtar’s orders for it to kill them. As with any hero’s code, real or not, Enkido stuck by Gilgamesh like a true friend would. By standing beside Gilgamesh, Enkido made the ultimate sacrifice, he gave his life. Many heroes give their lives every day in the belief that a greater good will become of it. Enkido is correct in his assumption. After a week of mourning the saddening loss of his greatest ally and friend, Gilgamesh crosses his threshold into adventure. The crossing of this threshold is a revelation by Gilgamesh spawned by the catalyst of Enkido’s death. Heroes and heroines throughout all walks of life are plagued by the same horrifyingly true realization. Ultimately at some time or another, we will all have to sacrifice in one way or another for the greater good of the whole. No matter how great or small the sacrifice, heroes come out of the woodwork to answer the call when the time is right. Having seen the bravery and valor within Enkido and Gilgamesh throughout their journeys of self recognition and brotherhood, it should be noted that men and women throughout the United States armed forces have gladly answered the call to arms in our greatest times of need. These common men and women have ascended the ranks as heroes and heroines through the foundations laid down through basic training much like Enkido and Gilgamesh follow the strict guidelines set forth by their heroes’ journey.