The Power of the Triforce; The Significance of Shamhat, Enkidu and Gilgamesh.

A pattern that occurs in most literary works is a triangular set of characters that are the core of the literature. In the epic of Gilgamesh, we see that the trio in this contains Enkidu, Shamhat and Gilgamesh the titular character himself. These characters are what move the action forward in the epic which essentially starts with Enkidu starting the action, Shamhat being the catalyst, and Gilgamesh resolving the epic.

In the epic of Gilgamesh, we see that Enkidu begins the action by first sleeping with Shamhat, the temple prostitute, which begins his journey into manhood. Afterwards, he becomes a forest hermit and Shamhat tells him about the great city of Uruk. She says that Enkidu should, “come with me to the city, to Uruk, to the temple of Anu and the goddess Ishtar. Gilgamesh is the ruler, the strongest of all, the terror. The aura and power of his desire can be withstood by no one.” (9) Initiating the desire in Enkidu who “longed for a companion,” (9) Enkidu decides to challenge Gilgamesh. After submitting to Gilgamesh’s might, Enkidu and Gilgamesh then “embraced, and kissed, and took each other by the hand.” (15). Thus beginning a male love-friendship.

However, nothing good ever lasts long. After killing the sacred animal sent by the gods, the divine council decided that “Enkidu must die but Gilgamesh, the gifted, must not die.” (37) Enkidu dies after a sudden sickness and Gilgamesh loses the part of his humanity in which Enkidu encompassed as his companion. This prompts Gilgamesh into a journey in which he regains his humanity and becomes a humble king instead of an arrogant tyrant.