Enkidu’s tragic death didn’t have a real explanation (detailed one) until this tablet, not only was the death depicted in an original fashion but it offered the explanation and depicted more examples of the strange relationship among Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Several words could characterize relationship aspects that may not be presented through the rest of the book. Take for instance the following passage and the wording on it:
“The Cry has seized mi servant, Enkidu, whom I sent to bring me back from the world down there the Drum and the Drumstick I had that fell down through a hole on the floor of the Upper World.” Pg 90. Tablet 12.
Notice the use of the word servant and how Gilgamesh refers to Enkidu, the companion using this language that could be used as reference to call someone less important than Enkidu. Somehow it downgrades Enkidu significantly.
Nevertheless Enkidu manages to have his spirit revisit Gilgamesh, in this visit, even though he couldn’t, Enkidu tells Gilgamesh about his journey to the “inferno” with the Cry. Again we see how Gilgamesh makes Enkidu “look back”, or break his promises. This way Gilgamesh brings his own bad fortune and his own weeping, he was warned about the consequences of curiosity but this is why he now mourns.
“Now tell me how it is in the Nether World.”
“I will not tell you. If I told you how it is in the Nether World, the arrangements of things, you would sit and weep because I told you.”
“Now tell me how it is although I may sit and weep because of what you told me.”Pg 90. Tablet 12.
The ending leaves us doubting about the true colors of certain characteristics in the book, nevertheless it gives us a general idea of what did modern literature evolved from. Even though it is an old book, it by no means suggests that it is bad.
“A good book has no ending.” ~R.D. Cumming
*Ensemble: an assemblage of parts or details (as in a work of art) considered as forming a whole
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