Epic of Gilgamesh: Screenplay Act II - "The Weight of Mortality"
 
FADE IN:
 
EXT. URUK - CITY SQUARE - DAY

The city of Uruk pulses with life, but an undercurrent of dread lingers after the slaying of the Bull of Heaven. Merchants hawk wares with forced cheer, while priests cast anxious glances at the sky. The towering ziggurat of Anu looms, its shadow heavy. GILGAMESH and ENKIDU walk through the square, greeted with cautious reverence, their bond a beacon to the people but a spark to the gods.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Gilgamesh and Enkidu stand as Uruk’s champions, their brotherhood forged in trials of strength and defiance. Yet the gods, scorned by their hubris, weave a punishment to humble the king and his wild brother. Act II dawns with a shadow creeping over their glory, as mortality’s cold hand reaches for one who thought himself invincible.

CUT TO: INT. ROYAL PALACE - PRIVATE CHAMBER - NIGHT

GILGAMESH and ENKIDU sit by a brazier, its flames casting flickering shadows. ENKIDU looks pale, his eyes distant, a faint tremor in his hands. GILGAMESH, unaware of the change, recounts their victories with fervor.

GILGAMESH
(Animated, gripping a goblet)

Enkidu, my brother, we’ve carved a legend! Humbaba’s head, the Bull’s blood—Uruk sings our names. What god dares challenge us now?

ENKIDU
(Softly, staring at the flames)

The gods don’t challenge, Gilgamesh. They judge. Last night, I dreamed of a dark gate, cold as stone, and a voice calling me beyond. My strength fades, brother. I feel it slipping.

GILGAMESH
(Frowning, leaning closer)

A dream, nothing more. You’re Enkidu, born of clay, strong as mountains. No dream can touch you. We’ll feast tonight and laugh at these shadows.

ENKIDU forces a smile, but his eyes betray fear. A knock interrupts. ISHTARAN enters, her face grave, carrying a clay tablet inscribed with omens.

ISHTARAN
(Solemn)

Great king, mighty Enkidu, I have read the stars and consulted the entrails. The gods have spoken. For slaying Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, a price must be paid. Enkidu, the heavens have marked you.

ENKIDU
(Pale, rising)

Marked me? For what? I fought for Uruk, for Gilgamesh! Why me, when we stood together?

GILGAMESH
(Angry, stepping forward)

Ishtaran, enough of your omens! The gods envy our strength. They cannot touch us. Enkidu is my brother—no divine curse will take him!

ISHTARAN
(Calm but firm)

The gods’ will is not swayed by mortal rage, Gilgamesh. Enkidu’s fate is sealed. Cherish the time you have, for the heavens do not relent.

ENKIDU sways, clutching his chest, and collapses to his knees. GILGAMESH catches him, his face a mask of shock.

GILGAMESH
(Desperate)

Enkidu! Hold fast! You are stronger than this. We’ll defy the gods together, as always!

ENKIDU
(Weakly, gripping Gilgamesh’s arm)

Not this time, brother. I feel it... a weight pulling me down. Promise me, Gilgamesh—don’t let my name fade.

The camera lingers on their clasped hands, then pans to ISHTARAN, her eyes filled with sorrow.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

The gods’ decree falls like a blade. Enkidu, the wild man tamed by love and loyalty, bears the weight of divine wrath. As his strength wanes, Gilgamesh faces a truth he cannot conquer: the fragility of the brother he holds dear.

CUT TO: EXT. URUK - TEMPLE COURTYARD - DAY

ENKIDU lies on a pallet, surrounded by PRIESTS and SHAMHAT, who tends to him with herbs and prayers. CITIZENS gather, whispering. NINSUNNA and LUGAL stand among them, their faces heavy with grief.

NINSUNNA
(30s, tearful, to LUGAL)

Enkidu saved us from the Bull, stood by our king. Now he wastes away, and Gilgamesh does nothing but rage. The gods are cruel.

LUGAL
(50s, resolute)

Not cruel, Ninsunna—just beyond our understanding. Enkidu’s heart brought him to Uruk, and now it bears this curse. Gilgamesh will not let him go easily.

SHAMHAT kneels beside ENKIDU, her hands trembling as she applies a poultice.

SHAMHAT
(Softly, anguished)

Enkidu, you who ran with gazelles, why do you fade? I brought you to Uruk, to this fate. Forgive me.

ENKIDU
(Weak, smiling faintly)

No blame, Shamhat. You gave me a home, a brother. I’ve lived more in these days than in all my years in the wild. Tell Gilgamesh... he must carry on.

GILGAMESH bursts into the courtyard, his eyes wild with desperation. He kneels beside ENKIDU, gripping his hand.

GILGAMESH
(Voice breaking)

Enkidu, you will not leave me. I’ll offer the gods gold, temples, anything! Shamash, Anu—hear me! Take my strength, not his!

ENKIDU
(Breath labored)

No offerings will sway them, brother. The gods have chosen. But you... you must live, Gilgamesh. Make Uruk’s walls sing of us both. Don’t let fear chain you.

GILGAMESH buries his face in ENKIDU’s shoulder, his shoulders shaking. The CROWD watches, silent, as SHAMASHU steps forward.

SHAMASHU
(20s, voice cracking)

Enkidu was our shield, as much as our king. Why do the gods punish the loyal? Gilgamesh, you must challenge this fate!

ISHTARAN
(Approaching, gentle)

Shamashu, the gods’ will is not ours to question. Enkidu’s sacrifice protects Uruk still. Gilgamesh, honor him by listening to his heart, not your anger.

GILGAMESH glares at her, his grief turning to fury, but says nothing.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Enkidu’s life slips like sand through Gilgamesh’s hands. The king, once unshakable, faces a foe no sword can slay. Uruk mourns, and the seeds of Gilgamesh’s transformation take root in the soil of loss.

CUT TO: INT. ROYAL PALACE - ENKIDU’S CHAMBER - NIGHT

ENKIDU lies weaker, his breathing shallow. GILGAMESH sits vigil, refusing to leave. The room is dim, lit only by a single lamp. ISHTARAN and SHAMHAT stand at the door, watching silently.

ENKIDU
(Barely audible)

Gilgamesh... when I’m gone, don’t chase death. Live. Build. Love Uruk as I did. The gods gave me you... that’s enough.

GILGAMESH
(Choking on words)

You are my brother, Enkidu. I built walls to defy time, but I can’t lose you. Tell me how to fight this!

ENKIDU
(Smiling weakly)

You can’t fight fate, but you can face it. Find meaning, Gilgamesh. Not in stone, but in us—what we shared. Promise me.

GILGAMESH
(Tears falling)

I promise. Your name will live forever. But I swear, Enkidu, I’ll find a way to cheat death—for both of us.

ENKIDU’s hand goes limp, his eyes closing. GILGAMESH roars in anguish, shaking the walls. ISHTARAN steps forward, her voice soft.

ISHTARAN

His soul journeys to the underworld, Gilgamesh. Honor him by seeking wisdom, not vengeance. The gods watch, and Uruk needs you whole.

GILGAMESH rises, his face a storm of grief and resolve, ignoring her words.

GILGAMESH
(To himself, fierce)

The gods took him. They think me broken. But I am Gilgamesh, and I will not let death win. I’ll find a way, Enkidu—for you.

CUT TO: EXT. URUK - CITY GATES - DAWN

GILGAMESH, clad in simple robes, stands alone, his eyes red from grief. A funeral procession gathers, bearing ENKIDU’s body on a cedar bier, draped in linens. CITIZENS weep, offering flowers and clay tablets inscribed with prayers. NINSUNNA, LUGAL, SHAMASHU, and DUMUZI stand among them.

NINSUNNA
(Sobbing)

Enkidu was our heart, our hope. He tamed the king’s pride, if only for a moment. Now he’s gone, and Gilgamesh is lost to us.

LUGAL
(Gentle, to NINSUNNA)

Not lost, Ninsunna. Wounded, yes, but Gilgamesh is still our king. Enkidu’s spirit will guide him, if he listens.

SHAMASHU
(Angry, to DUMUZI)

The gods took Enkidu to punish Gilgamesh! Why must the innocent suffer for a king’s arrogance? He should beg Shamash for forgiveness!

DUMUZI
(Calm, resolute)

Shamashu, Gilgamesh’s heart is broken, but his will is iron. He’ll seek answers, not forgiveness. Uruk must stand with him, or we all fall.

The procession moves toward the river, where ENKIDU’s bier is set afloat, a warrior’s farewell. GILGAMESH watches, silent, his fists clenched. ISHTARAN approaches, her voice low.

ISHTARAN

Gilgamesh, Enkidu’s death is a wound, but also a door. The gods have taken him, but they leave you a choice—rage or wisdom. What will you choose?

GILGAMESH
(Cold, determined)

Wisdom is for priests, Ishtaran. I choose defiance. If death can take Enkidu, I’ll find a way to conquer it. For him. For me.

He turns, walking away from the procession, his figure solitary against the rising sun.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Act II closes with Uruk in mourning and Gilgamesh unmoored. Enkidu’s death has shattered the king’s illusion of invincibility, planting a seed of doubt that will drive him beyond the city’s walls. The gods watch, their plans unfolding, as Gilgamesh steps toward a quest that will define his soul. The stage is set for the final act, where mortality and meaning collide.

FADE OUT.
END ACT II