Friendship in The Epic of Gilgamesh

            In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh and Enkidu relationship between them show that friendship, while strong, may not always be easy and can be quite complex for one or both of the parties involved. To fully understand the complexity of the epic, one must know the background of those involved. In the beginning we are introduced to Gilgamesh and his character. In page 62 "Gilgamesh sounds the tocsin for his amusement, his arrogance has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the king should be a shepherd to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble; yet this is the shepherd of the city, wise, comely, and resolute." His personality is like one a god; he is the strongest and bravest warrior in which he can do anything he wants to do. As we progress through the epic we are introduced to Enkidu. "The goddess conceived an image in her mind, and it was of the stuff of Anu of the firmament. She dipped her hands in water and pinched off clay, she let it fall in the wilderness, and noble Enkidu was created." Enkidu was a beast that was innocent, strong, wise and lived in the wild; however, do to curtain situations Enkidu was forced to become civilized and go to Uruk. Enkidu's desire for a friend is an important stage in his transition from the wild-man life to ordinary human life. After all, we can assume that Enkidu experiences this desire right after becoming "aware of himself.".
             Nevertheless Gilgamesh and Enkidu were completely differently individual; however, when they met they fought in page 69 "Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground and with a turn Enkidu was thrown. Then immediately his fury died. When Enkidu was thrown he said to Gilgamesh, 'There is not another like you in the world. Ninsun, who is as strong as a wild ox in the byre, she was the mother who bore you, and now you are raised above all men, and Enlil has given you the kingship, for your strength surpasses the strength of men.