What does Gilgamesh say to Siduri?
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Gilgamesh tells Siduri that his cheeks are starved and his face is drawn because despair is in his heart and he has been on a long journey, facing heat and cold, and that he is grieving for his companion Enkidu who helped him fight lions, wolves, and slay the demon Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. He shares his heartbroken sorrow with Siduri, explaining how he wouldn’t let Enkidu be buried for six days, hoping his extreme grief would revive his friend.
Understanding Gilgamesh and Siduri’s Conversation
To better understand the context of Gilgamesh’s statement to Siduri, let’s delve into their conversation and the events surrounding it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Siduri feel about Gilgamesh’s grief?
Siduri isn’t satisfied with Gilgamesh’s appearance and asks why he’s haggard and grief-stricken, indicating she is concerned about his well-being but also skeptical about his story.
2. Why does Siduri not believe Gilgamesh after he identifies himself?
Siduri does not believe Gilgamesh because he is in ragged clothing, and his face and cheeks are drawn, making him look like a tramp and a criminal, which contradicts the image of a king.
3. What God did Gilgamesh reject?
Gilgamesh rejects Ishtar, the goddess who tries to seduce him, because she is known to have killed and tortured many of her previous lovers.
4. How did Enkidu’s death play a role in Gilgamesh’s quest?
Enkidu’s death made Gilgamesh fear for his own mortality, leading him to search for the secret of immortality, although his quest was unsuccessful.
5. Did Gilgamesh cry when Enkidu died?
Yes, Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu, showing deep sorrow and grief for his friend’s death.
6. Who was Gilgamesh’s best friend who died?
Enkidu was Gilgamesh’s best friend, created as a rival but later becoming a close companion until his death.
7. Was Siduri’s advice to Gilgamesh good advice?
Siduri’s advice to enjoy life to the fullest and not to seek immortality can be seen as good advice, as it emphasizes the importance of appreciating and making the most of the present.
8. What is the lesson of Siduri?
The lesson of Siduri is to appreciate the simple joys of a mortal life and not to seek immortality, emphasizing the value of living in the present.
9. What does Siduri urge Gilgamesh to do?
Siduri urges Gilgamesh to enjoy his days, have his belly full, find a spouse, and live life fully, instead of wasting it searching for something that will never happen.
10. How does Siduri tell Gilgamesh to cross the ocean?
Siduri tells Gilgamesh that only Shamash, the sun, can cross the sea, but she directs him to find Urshanabi, a ferryman who might take him across the sea to Utnapishtim.
11. Why does Siduri lock the gate when she sees Gilgamesh coming?
Siduri locks the gate because she is frightened by Gilgamesh’s ragged appearance, thinking him to be a threat.
12. Did Gilgamesh and Enkidu kiss?
Yes, after fighting and realizing they are evenly matched, Gilgamesh and Enkidu kiss and make friends, starting their adventures together.
13. Were Enkidu and Gilgamesh lovers?
The epic suggests that Gilgamesh and Enkidu become comrades, friends, and probably lovers before Enkidu’s death.
14. Why is Siduri important in Gilgamesh?
Siduri is important as she advises Gilgamesh to cherish the pleasures of this world and helps him by telling him how to find Urshanabi the boatman.
15. What happens to Siduri?
After sharing her wisdom with Gilgamesh and helping him on his quest, Siduri’s fate is not extensively detailed in the epic, but her role as a wise and caring figure remains significant in the story of Gilgamesh.