Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet II — The Meeting of Gilgamish and Enkidu
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The work opens by praising Gilgamish, Master of wisdom and builder of Erech's ramparts, who is two-thirds divine; his tyranny prompts the gods to have Aruru create the beast-like Enkidu, whom a courtesan tames and draws to Erech, while Gilgamish dreams of a coming friend (Tablet I). Enkidu becomes human, enters Erech, and grapples with Gilgamish (Tablet II). The two clasp hands as brothers, and Gilgamish resolves to overcome Humbaba despite Enkidu's and the Elders' warnings, praying to Shamash and visiting Nin-sun (Tablet III). They journey to the Forest, Enkidu addressing its Gate and falling briefly sick (Tablet IV). Aided by Shamash's eight winds, they cut off Humbaba's head (Tablet V). Ishtar proposes marriage; Gilgamish refuses and recounts her former lovers, so she demands the Heavenly Bull from Anu, which the brothers kill (Tablet VI). Fever lays Enkidu low; he dreams of the Dwelling of Darkness (Tablet VII) and dies, mourned by Gilgamish before the Elders (Tablet VIII). Fearing death, Gilgamish ranges the desert, reaching the Mountains of Mashu and the Scorpion-men, seeking Uta-Napishtim (Tablet IX). He meets Siduri the wine-maker and Ur-Shanabi the boatman, crossing the Waters of Death (Tablet X). Uta-Napishtim recounts the deluge and his gift of divine life; Gilgamish fails a test of sleeplessness, obtains a life-giving plant, loses it to a serpent, and returns to Erech (Tablet XI). Finally, forbidden acts trap a descender in the Underworld; Ea has Nergal release Enkidu's spirit, who describes to Gilgamish the states of the dead (Tablet XII).
Enkidu sits before the hetaera and dallies six days, seven nights. The nymph tells him he is like a god, asks why he ranges with beasts, and offers to lead him to Erech and E-Anna, where Gilgamish lives. He accepts; she clothes him and leads him to the shepherds. Not knowing bread or mead, he eats and drinks at the woman's urging, anoints himself, becomes human, and hunts lions guarding the shepherds. A man tells Enkidu that Gilgamish summons him and mates first with the allotted woman. Enkidu enters Erech; people compare him to Gilgamish. Enkidu blocks Gilgamish's passage; they grapple like bulls. Gilgamish's fury abates, and Enkidu speaks of Nin-sun and Enlil's kingship.
Tablet II, Section 1aTablet II, Section 1b