Fated to Die- Gilgamesh tablets 6 and 7

Tablet six is also crucial to the development of the story. Gilgamesh upon changing into his royal garments encounters Ishtar who wishes to be his wife. He denies her and that act of defiance is the catalyst of his demise as well as his companion’s. She goes into a rage and sends her monster against him with the consequence of a seven year drought in Uruk. This was a selfish act solely to enact her revenge upon the king. But once again the companions triumph over her evil. They return home to Uruk and are praised for their victories. The people love them for the good they have done for them. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are the heroes to the people of Uruk. I believe a hero is a person who takes the initiative to do what is right. In this case it is the companions. "Who is the bravest of the men? Who is the boldest of the males! Gilgamesh is the bravest of the men, the boldest of the males!” But upon return to the kingdom the gods hold council to decide what may become of the companions, Enlil wishing them dead and Shamash wishing that they be kept safe. Then Enkidu falls ill and laid in his bed for ten days. He has dreams of a man who would take him from the land of the living take him from Gilgamesh and all he loved and take him to the land of the dead. “There appeared a man of dark visage-- his face resembled the Anzu, his hands were the paws of a lion, his nails the talons of an eagle! -- he seized me by my hair and overpowered me.” In the dream Enkidu has, he describes death; the man who overpowers him and takes him to the land of the dead. His fate is sealed by the Gods and he has no power over them. He knows what is coming for him and although he may do everything humanly possible to change his fate, it comes closer and closer. I believe fate is the idea that this story is based upon. Enkidu is fated to die.