Jane Doe
Eng. 2332
Professor K. Martin
07 September 2005
Text:  Gilgamesh

Passage:   Enkidu said, “The father of the gods has given you kingship, such is your destiny, everlasting life is not your destiny.  Because of this do not be sad at heart, do not be grieved or oppressed” (17).
Question:   How does the death of Enkidu encourage Gilgamesh to find his true destiny?
Issues:  Issue of Philosophical Evaluation.  This question deals with the consequences and feelings that the death of a true friend invokes on his life.  His friend has told him earlier in the story that ever-lasting life was not his destiny, but he refuses to accept the words of his friend. After his journey for ever-lasting life turns up empty, Gilgamesh finally accepts the words of his friend and realizes that his destiny is kingship, not immortality.   
Critical Approach:  The psychoanalytical approach is best fit for this question because it deals with the unconscious feelings or thoughts.  I believe that internally, Gilgamesh knew that the dream Enkidu had about his destiny was correct in the fact that he would not achieve ever-lasting life.  Because he would not accept the words of his friend, Gilgamesh sought to discover his destiny for himself.
Answer:  After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh realizes that he does not want to die and be in the same place as his brother.  The grievances of his deceased brother led Gilgamesh to go out and actively seek answers regarding his destiny.  For this, Gilgamesh found Utnapishtim, who helped Gilgamesh to understand and accept the true meaning of his destiny; though it was not ever-lasting life as Gilgamesh had hoped.