1.Power of the King is absolute

Quotes

"There was no withstanding the aura or power of the wild Ox Gilgamesh.Neither the father's son nor the wife of the noble; neither the mother's daughter nor the warriors bride was safe."

"They called the goddess Aruru saying to her:'You made this man. Now create another. Create his double and let the two contend with stormy heart that peace may come to Uruk once again.'"

Analysis

The first quote states that Gilgamesh does whatever he wants because he believes that he is free of imperfection and does not need to follow any rules. He walks around and forces people to do what he wants and satisfy him, as stated in the quote about the warrior's bride never being safe. The second quote is the response of his people. They understand that Gilgamesh has done much for them, but now he is oppressing them and they need someone who can match his abilities. That is why his people call to the gods to create a being that will make balance and bring peace to their city.

Questions that can be answered from these quotes

1.How does Gilgamesh use his "power of the king"? Gilgamesh uses his powers to make people his servants and he does what he wants. For example he defiles the women in his village, whether they are married or not, or whether they are daughters or not. Also late in the book he ignores a very big policy of his people, and that is to keep a balance with nature or to give back what you take. He does this by killing the guardian of the forest and cutting down all of the trees.

2.How do his people respond to his actions? When the people of Uruk start to notice Gilgamesh's bad behavior they call to the god Aruru. They ask for the god's to make someone who can be Gilgamesh's rival and bring peace to their city. The god's respond by creating Enkidu, a man who very much matches Gilgamesh in size and strength, thus granting their wish.

References

Quotes from: Gilgamesh by David Ferry,pages 4 and 5