There are several events in the epic of Gilgamesh, and they are presented in the form of different journeys. Enkidu’s journeys to Gilgamesh and Uruk, his trek with Gilgamesh to the Forest, and the journeys to the underworld are examples of only a few of these major events. Further, Gilgamesh makes trips to Urshanabi and the twin-peaked Mountain in search of Utnapishtim. Enkidu also journeyed to the sea, going across the Death Sea with Urshanabi, only to return to Uruk. Gilgamesh’s many voyages also reflect the minor events – his inner journey to become a brave, obedient, and dedicated king and leader. The major and minor events are closely related since readers can learn much about Gilgamesh’s inner path to becoming a brave leader from these voyages.
Regarding the passage of time, it is one of the earliest stories ever recorded, which means that it is rich in mythological elements, such as revered trees, smitten deities, and the terrifying demon Humbaba. Such a time marker in the plot functions to prepare the readers to meet some ancient literary devices of narrating, old worldview, or histand preventing them from exposure to confusion. The episodes are in chronological order showing a clear cause-and-effect pattern. In the plot, Enkidu is advised to “touch my heart” Gilgamesh before the battle, which foreshadows the horrifying moment later when Gilgamesh clutches his friend’s heart and feels absolutely nothing (Kovacs 116). Moreover, the Flood Story is given as an illustration of a flashback in the epic. These literary devices are used to intrigue the reader and make the story more compelling. The elements of foreshadowing, such as the description of terrifying demons, create suspense in the plot. While reading about the demons’ characteristics, the readers anticipate the image of mysterious and unimaginable creatures. When Enkidu passes away, the epic reaches its culmination, making the highest emotional interest for the readers. Enkidu’s death marks a pivotal point in the protagonist’s life since it leads to an adventure that teaches and develops him.
To sum up, as a reader, I would consider that the story’s conflicts are resolved at the end. Even though Gilgamesh did not accomplish anything extraordinary, he managed to resolve his inner conflicts through the different journeys he took. In that sense, the story has a surprise ending since the readers would not expect an immoral and cruel person at the beginning of the epic to turn into a humble one by the end. Precisely for that reason, the ending satisfies me as the reader.
Work Cited
Kovacs, Maureen Gallery. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Stanford University Press, 1989.