Gilgamesh Vs. Enkidu

Other than a mighty strength, the characters Gilgamesh and Enkidu do not have a lot of personal characteristics in common. That is why the gods brought Enkidu to be Gilgamesh's friend, it was hoped he would "be a match for the storm of his heart/let them vie with each other, so Uruk may be rested!" (1.97-98). Gilgamesh was a tyrant. He was very extreme in nature and exhausted the people of Uruk with constant battles, forced labor and extreme overuse of his power. Gilgamesh was a fierce warrior, an ambitious builder, very handsome but also very selfish. He got what he wanted when he wanted it whether it was battles, food or women. "He will couple with the wife-to-be/he first of all, the bridegroom after" (2.159-160).

In physical attributes Enkidu resembled Gilgamesh. "This fellow - how like in build he is to Gilgamesh/tall in stature, proud as a battlement" (2.40-41). But while Gilgamesh was 2/3 god and 1/3 man, Enkidu was created of clay and raised by animals. He was wild and unrefined. He was lacking in virtues and morals but yet was instinctively considerate and courteous. He protected the animals and shepherds who raised him and gave him food. He met Gilgamesh when he stormed the city of Uruk to protect the bride. "Enkidu with his foot blocked the door of the wedding house/not allowing Gilgamesh to enter/They seized each other at the door of the wedding house/in the street they joined combat, in the Square of the Land (2.111-114). He was almost gallant, like a knight coming in to save the maiden.

As the story progresses I really didn't see a lot of changes in Enkidu's personality and characteristics. He did, as a result of his friendship with Gilgamesh, become more civilized. He had a hard time with death and was bitterly clinging to life. Gilgamesh though as the story goes on, seems to mature quite a bit following Enkidu's death. He goes on a journey trying to find eternal life but ends up finding advice and wisdom, teaching him how to balance his god like, divine characteristics with his moral ones. With Enkidu's death, he becomes a better leader.