?Gilgamesh: True Epic Hero? Gilgamesh is an epic that predates the Bible, chronicling tales of Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. One such story accounts the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The hero of this epic has long been argued, and with the aid of Phillip V. Allingham’s “Characteristics of an Epic Hero” it will be shown that Gilgamesh is not the true hero of this great epic. Based on the characteristics of an epic hero presented by Allingham, Gilgamesh does not demonstrate any traits that suggest a hero.
Allingham defines the circumstances under which a character in an epic would be considered the hero: introduction during a time of turmoil, undertaking a perilous journey, and engaging in honorable combat ultimately taking the life of the hero. One of Allingham’s characteristics of an epic hero is a tumultuous introduction of the character, where the character is in a state of turmoil. The introduction of Gilgamesh does not prompt the reader to believe Gilgamesh was in any type of confusion or chaos, as demonstrated by the following passage: “As king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people.
He demanded, from an old birthright, The privilege of sleeping with their brides Before the husbands were permitted” (Mason 15). Lending inferences from this excerpt, Gilgamesh is shown as a man who is extremely self-righteous and selfish. His introduction is proof that his people were the ones in turmoil because of his callousness and arrogance. Not only does Allingham say that the hero is introduced in the story at a time of turmoil, but another characteristic is the hero’s undertaking of a long, perilous journey.
The hero’s decision to undertake a perilous journey, testing his courage, endurance and cunning is another of Allingham’s characteristics of an epic hero. Although Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to kill Humbaba; Gilgamesh did not demonstrate courage as he froze when Humbaba attacked Enkidu. The epic hero is noted, by Allingham, as being the one who faces his fear, and, despite those fears, courageously goes into battle for the creater good without thought of self.
Despite Gilgamesh’s decision to go into battle, he does not exhibit the traits apparent to an epic hero, he actually dispels them. On more than one occasion, Gilgamesh demonstrated selfishness, only preoccupied with how the battle would propel him to greatness. The choice to engage in a dangerous journey is yet another way to determine who the epic hero is; additionally, the hero can be distinguished by a single honorable combat that takes the hero’s life, according to Allingham.
Another of Allingham’s criteria describes the hero’s necessity to establish his aristeia or nobility through a single honorable combat which takes his life. In the story Gilgamesh found himself in a couple of battles. While these battles were initiated consciously, Gilgamesh did not battle honorably. Gilgamesh “…stood still watching as the monster leaned to make His final strike against his friend, unable to move to help him…” (Mason 40).
Gilgamesh made the decision to kill Humbaba and did not do so honorably since he froze and watched as the beast
dealt a fatal blow to his friend Enkidu who in fact courageously stood up to a foe much greater than he. In this situation, Gilgamesh did not obtain his aristeia through either of the battles fought in the tale. The battle with Humbaba and subsequent battle with the Bull of Heaven proved that Gilgamesh was anything but honorable in his quest for greatness through battle.
While there are those who believe Gilgamesh is the hero of this epic, significant evidence points to the opposite being true. An epic hero is one who exhibits courage despite turmoil in his own life and does what is right for the greater good without expecting praise or advancement for themselves. At every step in the story Gilgamesh continually demonstrates arrogance, lack of consideration for others, and a sense of entitlement. It is only when he loses his friend and no longer has that support and validation that he begins to exhibit feelings for someone other than himself.
Not only did Gilgamesh not enter the story in a great deal of strife, but he also lacked courage when engaging Humbaba, a battle that was not honorably fought nor did it lead to his ultimate death. By Allingham’s definitions, Gilgamesh fails to assert his hero status. Works Cited Allingham, Phillip V. “Notes on Heroic Poetry: The Primary and Secondary Epic”. Victorianweb. org. The Victorian Web: Literature, History, & Culture in the Age of Victoria, 21 Feb. 2005. Web. 5 April 2011. Mason, Herbert. Gilgamesh: A Verse Narrative. Boston: First Mariner Books, 2003. Print.