Journal 1 -- Beginning of Gilgamesh

After reading the first 5 tablets of Gilgamesh, I’m no longer worried about it being some old ancient story written in such a way only the teacher would understand. I usually have a problem reading things older than me which isn’t very good since I’m only 19, but the story of Gilgamesh was different. I believe anything can be easy to read to anybody as long as the literature can keep the interest of the reader. Gilgamesh is actually a very interesting epic to me because I can relate to the main characters in it. I have a best friend and we are also equal yet opposite likewise with Gilgamesh and Enkidu. I now see why Mr. B is so excited for us to read it. I know he is kind of a geek like he said, but after enjoying what I’ve read, I guess we all have a little bit of geek in us. Honestly, who doesn’t like a real good story/movie with a larger than life, superior, non-realistic hero that controls the story? To make it even better, there were two super beings and they conquered things together that’s like double the fun in one. We see it in all action movies, all comic books, some TV shows, and all the epics (so I’m told). It makes it better to know that I can find interest in things other than entertainment I choose, especially when its in a class I didn’t particularly choose.
What makes Gilgamesh even better than the other epics is it has two idealistic heroes that take over the plot. Gilgamesh and Enkidu, they can both be looked at as the main character in the story. I perceive the two as equal but opposite best friends who are similar in some ways but opposite in many as well which is very common and real life and gives the story ammunition to spark readers interest. They are both supposed to be stronger than anyone, smarter than anyone, both loved by the gods, unbeatable; except they stand for different beliefs so far. The way the interpreter makes them so much greater than an average human also makes it an epic story in my eyes. I say an epic story as in something to remember not in the sense of the literal definition of epic, though it fits that as well of course. We don’t really see them being best friends until the end of the scheduled portion for us to read and it happened after their one and only fight. I remember when me and my best friend had that same fight. It was like the mark between being friends and best friends after that day. Their different views on Gilgamesh’s sex habits were the start of the whole situation and I read it as neither one really won. If one would have won or loss, there probably would have been another fight and not as good of a story.