The Epic Of Gilgamesh The Struggle For Women - 1183 Words

The struggle for women to play a significant role in history can be traced from the ancient Mesopotamians to the 1900’s. There has been a continuous battle for women to gain equal rights legally and to be treated equally in all aspects of life. The Epic of Gilgamesh contains some of the oldest recorded accounts of the roles of women and their importance in a functional society. Women have been viewed as anything from goddesses to unwanted servants throughout history, regardless of a variety of changes in rulers, religions, and time periods. The Epic of Gilgamesh might lead one to consider the roles of women small and insignificant compared to the man s role. In fact, throughout the epic tale, three women; Shamhat, Ishtar, and Siduri, were able to create and maintain a civilized Mesopotamian society using the uniqueness of their bodies, minds, and spirits. Even though Shamat does not have a large role in The Epic of Gilgamesh, she does shape how the story begins. Shamat works in a brothel as a main temple prostitute. The short appearance that she delivers sends out a powerful message (shmoop). Gilgamesh sends her into the wilderness to tame the strong man who we later find out this is Enkidu. Shamat uses her body to transform a wild beast into a civilized man over the course of seven days (Role of Women). A women’s body is perceived as a transformation platform; the anatomy of the body is able to do a task that is incomparable to any task a hero can perform for another manShow MoreRelatedEpic of Gilgamesh1581 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The epic poem dubbed the Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the earliest surviving literature on the face of the planet. The poem came from Mesopotamia in its original cuneiform script comprising 12 tablets. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a chronicle detailing the classic adventures of Gilgamesh, a historic king of Uruk. Over the years, historians have eliminated the 12th tablet for alleged inconsistencies. The poem depicts a wide range of themes such as the inevitability of death, whichRead MoreExamining the Different Versions of Epic of Gilgamesh861 Words   |  3 PagesSource 1 Abusch, T. (Oct-Dec 2001). The development and meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh: An interpretive essay. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 121(4), 614-622. Type of Source Source 1 is a journal article paginated by volume. Summary This journal article examines 3 versions of the Gilgamesh Epic: the Old Babylonian version; the Eleven-Tablet version; and the Twelve-Tablet version. Though all 3 versions deal with the issues and choices of human beings and also with the inescapableRead MoreGender Roles in the Epic of Gilgamesh Essay1141 Words   |  5 Pages The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of Gilgamesh, a man who was two-thirds god that was saved by companionship. Gilgamesh was a cruel and careless king, who spent his time raping women, exhausting citizens, and conquering foes and foreign lands until he met, fought and was guided by his great friend and soul mate, Enkidu. With the help of Enkidu and his influence, he learned compassion as well as wisdom and integrity, and eventually Gilgamesh became a great and fair king. Though the story focusesRead MoreOdysseus vs. Gilgamesh Essay1464 Words   |  6 PagesThe epic poems The Odyssey, written by Homer, and Gilgamesh, translated by David Ferry, feature the struggles and triumphs of two epic heroes, Odysseus and Gilgamesh. Epic heroes exemplify six common traits. They are all strong fighters, complete with physical beauty and intimidation. The epic hero is dangerous yet protects ordinary people. There is always an encounter with death and the cosmos. They are superhuman, but they are not supernatural, although they come in contact with the supernaturalRead MoreSundiata Essay971 Words   |  4 Pages Epics Sundiata was written in Africa. Gilgamesh was the oldest one written. Other works include the Iliad and the Odyssey, which were written by the blind prophet Homer. What do all these works of literature have in common with each other? The similarity that all these works of literature have is that they are all epics. What does this mean? What is an epic? The definition of an epic is that an epic is a long, narrative poem with a hero that goes on a quest. What is the hero? Well, the characteristicsRead MoreAnalysis of Internal and Eternal Journeys Within Gilgamesh674 Words   |  3 PagesJourneys within Gilgamesh: Internal and external The Epic of Gilgamesh details two fundamental types of heroic journeys or questions: external and internal ones. The first journey is an external one, in which Gilgamesh proves himself to be the most valiant of all warriors, overcoming Enkidu and Humbaba. The second type of journey is an internal one, in which Gilgamesh seeks to understand the meaning of life, after the death of his beloved friend Enkidu. When Gilgamesh realizes that his strengthRead MoreEssay on Love in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis 992 Words   |  4 PagesAt an early point in history, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the story of Genesis were two texts that set the framework of the entire world. They were two epics that established the foundations of religion, literature, and all other standards that were followed by every category of people. Both texts entice the audience through antique language, and the stories of epic heroes and immortal gods. Sin-Leqi-Unninni and the many writers of the Bible use love as the ir central theme, yet it unfolds as havingRead MoreExploring Human Nature in The Epic of Gilgamesh and Samuel I1034 Words   |  5 Pagesthreaten the survival of another. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the book of Samuel I illustrate the corruption that results from using the threat of power, be it human or divine, to ensure one’s best interests and the extreme lengths a human will travel in the pursuit of denying death. The Epic of Gilgamesh follows the journey of the hero Gilgamesh, ruler of Uruk, who is two-thirds a God and just one part human. We are introduced to Gilgamesh as a tyrant who covets women and sends young men to battle orRead MoreThe Universal Theme Of Good Vs. Evil1302 Words   |  6 Pagescarries the negative sense of chaos. In the Epic of Gilgamesh there are examples of good vs. evil such as the external values of pagan culture (heroism). Gilgamesh is a dictatorial king who is very harsh and does anything he pleases; he works the people to death, kills the men, sleeps with and uses the women, and takes whatever he wants from the citizens. The people of Uruk cry out to the Gods for help and the goddess of creation has instructed a twin for Gilgamesh named Enkidu, who is strong enough toRead MoreThe Journey Of Gilgamesh And Enkidu904 Words   |  4 PagesGilgamesh had a journey that he had begun with Enkidu which they had to travel to Cedar Forest to defeat Humbaba. When Enkidu died, Gilgamesh had to deal with his own journey that’s when everything begins for him. He learned immortality from which he got from Utnapishtim. His journey ended when he had return to Uruk. The second part of his journey was for wisdom. When Gilgamesh had to find Utnapishtim, he believes that it was for immortality. But it was impossible. It was not possible.