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Two Worlds, One Family: A Comparison of Enkidu from the Epic of Gilgamesh to Disney’s Tarzan

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“What kind of primitive beasts are responsible for this mess?” This question posed by the

fictional ape Terk in Disney’s Tarzan is one that was repeatedly asked in antiquity. It is one that will continue to be asked for generations to come. What is this “mess” Terk speaks of ? It is not the world of the untamed and barren that today we would associate with primitive beasts. Instead, it is the world of civilization and modernization. The fictional character of Tarzan serves to combat the perpetuating dichotomy that civilization= good and primitiveness=bad. Tarzan, however, was not the first character to fill this role. In Ancient Mesopotamia, the fictional Enkidu from the The Epic of Gilgamesh acts a sharp contrast to the rapid advancement of human development. Both Tarzan and Enkidu are similar in their characterization, lifestyle, development, introduction to the civilized world, and function in society.

Tarzan and Enkidu’s physical characterization is almost identical. Enkidu’s “body was

rough, he had long hair like a woman’s; it waved like the hair of Nisaba, the goddess of corn” (The Epic of Gilgamesh, 1) In the disney movie, Tarzan is also portrayed as having a masculine physique yet long flowy feminine hair. This androgynous depiction of both characters reveals that society often views primitive beings as having no central identity but rather one that can possess many qualities and take many forms. In addition to being part female, Tarzan and Endiku are also seen to be part animal. In the The Epic, Endiku is described to be two thirds animal and one third human. Both characters wear animal skin as clothing, reinforcing this perception.

Apart from just physical similarities, Tarzan and Enkidu possess many similar mental

qualities. Enkidu was “innocent of mankind; he knew nothing of the cultivated land” (The Epic of

Gilgamesh, 1). This innocence is also used to characterize Tarzan who is depicted as very immature and ignorant in the beginning to the film. As both characters experience human relationships, they begin to gain a sense of awareness and identity. It is believed that “in his interactions with Shamhat, Enkidu is gaining self-consciousness, a uniquely human characteristic, which make him different than the animals” (The foundation of existentialism in the oldest story ever told: The Epic of Gilgamesh, 3). In Tarzan, there is a very powerful scene where Tarzan becomes conscious of his own heartbeat while interacting with Jane.

This self-awareness marked a critical milestone for Tarzan as it did for Endiku. Self-

consiousness allows individuals to relate to others and empathize with their emotions and struggles. This empathy is often accompanied by comion which is important for a civilization to develop. Without the awareness of self, individuals would feel isolated and alone and could not bond with each other to achieve greater accomplishments and rise to new heights. Instead they would remain fearful of unknown interactions, making them stagnant and unable to progress.

Both Tarzan and Enkidu were raised by animals and lived amongst them for the first part

of their lives. Enkidu “ate grass in the hills with the gazelle and lurked with wild beasts at the water-holes” (The Epic of Gilgamesh, 1). Similar scenes are depicted in Tarzan where the character is seen swinging through vines and playing with elephants in the watering hole. Tarzan and Enkidu not only live with the animals but are also protected by them. This protection may serve to suggest the danger that often comes with civilization and progression. Through advancement, societies push limits and break boundaries. Although risks can help achieve new goals, they often result in danger as a consequence. Without civilization, primitive beings did not take as many risks and were thus more protected and sheltered.



The way in which Tarzan and Enkidu were introduced to civilization is remarkably

congruous. Both characters were discovered by hunters who intended to cause harm to the animals living in the wild. Almost mistaken for animals, Tarzan and Enkidu are saved by beautiful and seductive women. In Tarzan’s case it is Jane and in Enkidu’s case it is Shamhat. Both men are seduced by the women who show them the foreign concept of sexuality. After their sexual experiences with the women, the men grow immensely as humans. “Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before. But then he drew himself up, for his understanding had broadened” (The Epic of Gilgamesh, 9). This new understanding refers to the gaining of confidence, intimacy, and attachment. All of which are central to the development of a human and thus to the development of a society. Without these features, humans would lack the courage, tenacity, and faith that is necessary for progress.













The creation of both Tarzan and Enkidu reveal much about the values of the societies

they thrived in. Enkidu originated in The Epic of Gilgamesh from the Third Dynasty of Ur and many deem the myth as one of the earliest great works of literature. Enkidu was created in the myth by the goddess Aruru to counterbalance the harshness of King Gilgamesh. Although made famous by the 1999 Disney movie, Tarzan actually originated from the novel Tarzan of the Apes authored by Edgar Rice Burroughs and published in 1914. In the novel, Tarzan is born just before his father is killed by a savage king ape named Kerchak. In many ways, Kerchak resembles Gilgamesh. They are both kings known for their brutality and superhuman strength. Tarzan and Enkidu were created to provide an alternative to this harshness and suggest a more natural peaceful approach to life.



















Enkidu and Tarzan surpsingly share something in common with Gilgamesh and Kerchak.

All four of these characters are not fully human. Humanity requires comion and sensitivity. It

can be found in Enkidu when he befriends Gilgamesh and becomes his companion throughout his life. It can be found in Tarzan when he befriends Terk and accompanies him throughout many adventures. It cannot however be found in Gilgamesh or Kerchak who are both arrogant and warrior-like. Although Enkidu and Tarzan are purposely characterized as not fully human, Gilgamesh and Kerchak also cannot be classified as human.









The strength that all four characters have greatly parallels each other. This reveals that

Ancient Mesopotamians as well as Edgar Rice believed that nature can be just a strong a force as any brutality that a leader possesses. The concept of nature through the creation of Enkidu and Tarzan developed to provide both harmony and dissonance. Instead of suggesting that one is better than the other, Tarzan and The Epic of Gilgamesh encourage a life of balance in which civilization and nature can coexist. Both stories end with the two forces as allies rather than enemies. Gilgamesh and Enkidu become best friends and Tarzan and the apes welcome Jane and her father to live with them. The lyrics of the final song in Tarzan encourages that rather than competing with one another, nature and civilization should be “two worlds, one family.”

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! Works Cited !

Sadigh, Micah. (2010) “The foundation of existentialism in the oldest story ever told: The Epic

of Gilgamesh”. Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, vol. 22, 1, p. 76.

! Sandars, N. K., ed. The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Penguin Classics, 1972.

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