The Epic of Gilgamesh is among the earliest works of history and is classified as epic poems. Originating in Mesopotamia, the poem consists of twelve tablets covering the relationship between the main character Gilgamesh and Enkidu, his closest male companion. The narration is done in the past tense trying to bring out the fact that the poem is written by Gilgamesh and he wrote it himself. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” commemorates historical actions and people by analyzing Gilgamesh's life experiences characterized by pain, heroism and his wisdom in a universal and perpetual process. Its story can be seen as immediate and timeless. The scope of this article will however be limited to the themes, ideas, characterization and arguments that are evident in panel 1 of the poem (Andrew pg 45). The characters used in the poem played an important role in the development of the plot. , themes, ideas and symbols. The main character is introduced as Gilgamesh and given a dual and unstable composite role: being a man in some parts and a god in others. He is considered the greatest of all the men in the poem and both his flaws and virtues are beyond measure. Gilgamesh is best known by most characters in the book as the most ambitious of all builders and the fiercest of all warriors. These strong traits are not only highlighted in the first panel but in the rest of the poem. However, his characters change as the story unfolds in the rest of the tablets. He subsequently targets his loyal subjects with forced labor, incessant battles and arbitrary exercise of power (Andrew pg 78) Enkidu on the other hand is presented by the narrator as a muscular and hairy...... middle of paper... . .. used symbols as a means of representing abstract concepts and ideas. The religion was symbolized by Gilgamesh as a character and events such as festivals, sacrifices, sex, dreams, shamanic magic, and dream interpretation. Enkidu is a symbol of hirsuteness of the uncivilized and natural state. Images of portals, doors and entrances are constantly recurring in the character of Gilgamesh. It was Enkidu who blocked the door of the bribe chamber and went forth to fight with Gilgamesh. The first tablet played an important role in introducing the story's plot, main characters, crucial themes, motifs and symbols, leaving the reader with a clear idea of ​​what to expect. However, it failed to introduce some of the characters who were later included in the development of the plot. Works Cited Andrew George. The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Penguin Classics, Rev Ed, 2003