Simply Immature

In IX of The Epic of Gilgamesh we see character traits that reinforce the 2/3 god 1/3 human’s childish behavior. The fifth line reads, “I am afraid of death so I wonder the wild” (70). Instantly we are presented with the bold hero’s fear of death, fear of the inevitable, a fear that he feels should not apply to him. One could argue this is only human, yet Gilgamesh’s fear mongering attitude again appears in line nine, “I saw some lions and grew afraid” (70). Later on, Gilgamesh found himself approaching the “scorpion-men” and “in fear and dread he covered his face” (71: line 46).

This constant fear that is usually accompanied by temporary self doubt (he often eventually overcomes whatever physical impediment he may face) is just as rampant as when Gilgamesh still had Enkidu, his “axe”, by his side. With and without Enkidu, Gilgamesh goes through the repetitive phases of doubt when facing his foe, then taking action and overcoming the obstacle, whether Humbaba or a Bull from Heaven.

Gilgamesh’s childish attitude is also portrayed by his irrational motives. The killing blow to Humbaba is catalyzed by Enkidu’s rational for greatness and for making a name. There is a reason here, though subjective in its value as a valid reason, there is no rational to Gilgamesh’s actions later on. For example, he reins blows upon the “Stone Ones” of the ferry he needs to reach Uta- napishti; he simply starts attacking them as if in a drunken and belligerent rage. Additionally, when the tavern-keeper bars her gates, Gilgamesh is quick to respond In that he waits for no response; as soon as he had asked why they were barred he threatened to knock the gate down, as if his “axe” was ready and still explaining the rational within Gilgamesh’s conscious.