the friendship shared between Gilgamesh and his one time enemy Enkidu is one that is rooted in the fact that their personalities and physicalitys compliment each other

Brotherhood is also a vital part of Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's friendship; their bond is so deep that it goes beyond just a physical friendship. They recognize that they are both mentally and spiritually connected as companions. They are so closely connected and mentally entwined that they consider each other brothers. In one passage specifically the brotherhood aspect of their friendship is clearly revealed. It is seemingly almost divine that they are such brothers. In a dream, Gilgamesh experienced a meeting with his new companion, and his mother even swore it his 'brother'. Gilgamesh explains, "Mother, last night I had a dream...I braced my forehead and I raised it with thongs and brought it to you, and you yourself pronounced it my brother." (pg. 15). When Enkidu ultimately meets his fate, Gilgamesh is so completely distraught and heartbroken that he weeps for eight days straight. It is said that when the first light of dawn stuck he raised his voice to the counselors of Uruk and said, "Hear me great ones of Uruk, I weep for Enkidu, my friend, bitterly moaning like a woman mourning, I weep for my brother. O Enkidu, my brother, you were the axe at my side." (pg 28). With this Gilgamesh is addressing to the public just how harmonious and sacred he considered his friendship with Enkidu. That even in Enkidu's passing, Gilgamesh would still honor his legacy.

Ultimately the story of Gilgamesh not only teaches us an important example of friendship and brotherhood, it shines light on the fact that friendship is a universal concept that transcends time. History has shown time and time again just how influential two friends can be, and Gilgamesh is a prime example of this. Not only does their friendship contain characteristics that are still vital parts of relationships today, it contains the hope that everyone has a counterpart that is almost as if their soul mate. If Gilgamesh and Enkidu can maintain a friendship after being bitter enemies, everyone has the ability to seek and maintain such a sacred friendship in their life. I believe that Gilgamesh teaches us valuable lessons about friendship that can be applied to our own friendships today. If a friendship like theirs could be possible so long ago, there's no reason why in today's society we shouldn't be able to be even more open and understanding to people's differences and backgrounds. If everyone could be as open as Gilgamesh was to befriending their enemies, more people could develop meaningful relationships even with the people they least expect it from.