Khumbaba appears to be a fearsome evil demon in the Cedar Forest whose first aim is to protect it from any strangers he sees. The forest was forbidden to mortals’ entry. He is defeated and killed by Gilgamesh and Enkidu in the period of their quest. He was the character against who Ninsun, mother of Gilgamesh, turn god Shamash.
Humbaba’s special power is to make an aura that paralyzes with fear anyone who would withstand him. He isn’t a very complicated and scary character even appearing as a demon. He is a personification of clear nature and menace. Of course, he has a very scary description, at the same time. Just look below.
He has a mouth-fire; he roars like a flood, he breathes with death, looking like a real volcano. Also, in his very last moments, he acquires personality and pathos when he pleads cunningly for his life. Even having seven layers of mystical armor, he didn’t survive from our heroes – Gilgamesh and Enkidu. But we all know how these guys won – tricking with the sun god Shamash who sent down 13 winds, which strike Humbaba from all directions and immobilize him. Can we say that it is not fair? Yeas we can, but, he is the demon, who cares if he will lose?
To be honest, Khumbaba isn’t the representative of a bad hero in the story. He isn’t a hero who just wants to have trees on his own. He is just a creature that protects a place, which was confided to him by god Enlil. It was his job, and he tried to make as well as he can. And it seems to be truly unfair that against him Shamash used his powers, knowing exactly that protecting the forest is a good job.