Notice, however, that Gilgamesh's personal quest for everlasting fame is at the same time a royal mission to free the land of evil: "Because of the evil that is in the land, we will go to the forest and destroy the evil, for in the forest lives Humbaba who name is 'Hugeness,' a ferocious giant" (1. 71). Humbaba represents wild and destructive nature apart from any civilizing tendencies, for as Humbaba says as he begs for his life, "I have never known a mother, no, nor ,a father who reared me. I was born of the mountain" (1. 82).
Now, Gilgamesh's desires are no longer at odds with Uruk's needs. In contrast to his earlier abuse of his people, Gilgamesh, now a true shepherd to his people, seeks to protect Uruk from Humbaba's evil and secure.....
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