In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Shamat plays the significant role of a temple prostitute. The trapper was fed up with Enkidu coming back and forth to his watering hole. As the trapper spoke with his father about the problem he was informed to send Enkidu to the hole with Shamat. According to his father, Enkidu will lose his wild ways if he were to engage with the temple prostitute. After Enkidu engages in a sexual relationship with Shamat for six days and seven nights, he realizes that he is not as fast as he once was. He’s civilized. After spending more time with Shamat, Enkidu becomes more humanlike. She eventually shares her clothing with him and even hands over some brew. Throughout the time they spent together, she then tells Enkidu about the
The young trapper became displeased with the actions of Enkidu. The trapper journeys to Uruk to seek advice from Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh advises the trapper to "go back, take with you a child of pleasure. At the drinking-hole she will strip, and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and the game of the wilderness will surely reject him" (64). This passage demonstrates the known consequences of violating a loyalty. Gilgamesh knows that Enkidu will not be able to resist the temptation of a woman. The animals of the hills distrust humans and by being with a woman Enkidu will violate the trust of the animals. The trapper takes a harlot and returns the fields. Gilgamesh's plan works well:
In many literary works throughout history, there is a deity mentioned that has some form of involvement in the life of humans whether it be monotheistic or polytheistic. In Augustine’s Confessions, the main point driving his entire work is how he strayed from God and found his way back to him. It’s an autobiography of an imperfect life. In contrast, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a story of monstrosity and self-discovery contributed to by many authors over the course of history pertaining to an arrogant King who was the puppet of many gods. However, both explore how a supreme deity is a central part of life.
Consequences are inevitable. A decision made today will have consequences that can last years or even a lifetime. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu made choices that changed their lives forever. Consequences can be both positive and negative, but each is equally long lasting.
N.K. Sanders, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is one of the most well-known stories in literature. The story beings with Gilgamesh, one-third human and two-thirds God. He ruled the greatest city with strong walls in Urnk to save his people from dangerous attacks. He is described as the most beautiful, strong, and wise ruler of Mesopotamia. He then goes on a quest with Enkidu. When they arrive at Ceder Forest Enkidu dreams that killing the Bull of Heaven had some consequences. Either Enkidu or Gilgamesh must die. Enkidu was chosen and suffered a severe illness. Enkidu did not make it, he was deeply sadden and decide to continue his quest to find immortality. He showed fear towards death because of his friend and now risking everything in hopes that Utnapishtim
Gilgamesh ignored many of these kingly duties and was eager to become heroic and godly. "The young men of Uruk he harries without warrant, Gilgamesh lets no son go free to his father. By day and by night his tyranny grows harsher" (George, Tablet I 67-69). The beginning of the epic depicts his kingship as tyrannical and immoral, which could go without question or complaint unless the gods will it. Although considered great for his many feats such as his great walls and military expeditions, his faults could not be questioned by the commoners, which show a flaw in Mesopotamian kingship. Therefore, the gods ask Anu to create a counterpart to Gilgamesh to balance his oppressive reign. "Let him be a match for the storm of his heart, let them vie with each other, so Uruk may be rested!" (Tablet I 97-98). Enkidu, Gilgamesh 's counterpart, was initially created as a wild, uncivilized man rather than a demigod king. His position was to serve as a person that would try to prevent Gilgamesh from becoming so lofty and boastful and to make him become mature and make rational decisions. This becomes evident in Enkidu 's first encounter with Gilgamesh at the wedding: "For the goddess of weddings the bed was laid out, Gilgamesh met with the maiden by night. Forward
Sex is described as “the primitive task for women” (Epic of Gilgamesh 63). The definition of sex in the Epic of Gilgamesh is a way to show that a main role of women in ancient Mesopotamia times was to provide pleasure for men, but to also provide children (Grandfield). The temple prostitute, Shamat, was not in the story to portray mankind’s sin of lust, but to demonstrate the need for women so a society can survive.
Perhaps one of the main reasons the Epic of Gilgamesh is so popular and has lasted such a long time, is because it offers insight into the human concerns of people four thousand years ago, many of which are still relevant today. Some of these human concerns found in the book that are still applicable today include: the fear and concerns people have in relation to death, overwhelming desires to be immortal, and the impact a friendship has on a person’s life. It does not take a great deal of insight into The Epic of Gilgamesh for a person to locate these themes in the story, and even less introspection to relate to them.
In the beginning of the book, Gilgamesh appears to be selfish. Gilgamesh’s “arrogance has no bounds by day or night” (62). Even though he is created by the Gods to be perfect, he misuses his powers and gifts for his own earthly pleasure. He has sexual intercourse with all the virgins of his city even if they are already engaged. Through all Gilgamesh’s imperfections and faults, he learns to change his amoral personality. The friendship of Enkidu helped to change his ways, for only Enkidu, who “is the strongest of wild creatures,” (66) is a match for Gilgamesh. Through this companionship with Enkidu, Gilgamesh starts to realize his incapabilities and need for his friend. When they fight Humbaba, they both give moral support to each other when the other is scared. Another event that changes Gilgamesh’s character is the death of Enkidu. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh goes through the suffering of losing a loved one. Gilgamesh experiences a pain, which no worldly pleasure can ease. By this experience Gilgamesh starts to understand his vulnerability toward death and pain. Losing his best friend causes Gilgamesh to be melancholic. At this point Gilgamesh is humbled by the fact that even he could not escape the wrath of death. Gilgamesh goes from this arrogant king to a lonely grieving person with fear of death in his heart.
Before the coming of Enkidu, Gilgamesh was a man of great power. A being for which there was no equal match, Gilgamesh boasted about his overwhelming glory and power. However, his arrogance was accompanied with an extensive abuse of power, which pushed the city of Uruk into a state of rage. Still Gilgamesh felt no despair; he lived to display to others his majestic power. The first sign of a sincere change in Gilgamesh arises as a result of the birth of Enkidu. From the beginning, a powerful link developed between man and woman. The wise Ninsun said to Gilgamesh,"You will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you". Gilgamesh had finally met his match, a friend that would serve as his life-long companion. Upon the seal of this great friendship, Gilgamesh began to change his selfish ways. Nevertheless, he shared with Enkidu the luxuries of kindness. Setting aside his great pride and power, Gilgamesh had opened a place in his heart, and in his sumptuous life, for his beloved brother.
Analysis of the Character of Gilgamesh In the epic Gilgamesh, there are many complex characters. Every character involved in the story has their own personality and traits. The main character in the novel is Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is a character who is very self-confident.
On page fifty-five Enkidu tells Gilgamesh what he dreams about. “Enkidu began to speak to Gilgamesh: …;... 'Enlil was wroth at celestial Shamash: "How like a comrade you marched with them daily! '"” Enkidu describes this dream, in great detail, of all the horrors of the underworld. Additionally, Enkidu describes how the gods are planning on bring Enkidu to his death, while Gilgamesh is to be spared. Enkidu is very sick at this point and is unable to do anything else, but lie on the bed. After twelve days, Enkidu dies on the bed. Gilgamesh is scared, at this point, and is afraid he might be next to die. In order to avoid death, Gilgamesh is persuaded on a journey to find immortality. Gilgamesh is later forced to live the rest of his life without being immortal. This dream is crucial to show how a main character, Enkidu, is being
Enkidu was created to be Gilgamesh’s equal and his soul mate. ‘“You made him… now create his equal; let it be as like him as his own reflection, his second self, stormy heart for stormy heart’” (14). So the goddess of creation, Aruru “dipped her hands in water and pinched off clay, she let it fall in the wilderness” and created Enkidu (14). Before Gilgamesh had met Enkidu he loved him; ‘“… I bent down, deeply drawn towards… [Enkidu]… I loved it like a woman and wore it at my side”’ (16). Enkidu had “virtue in him” (14). He was also “innocent of mankind” (14). After Enkidu was civilized the wild animals would not be near him. He felt ...
In Gilgamesh, Shamhat, a harlot, receives blessings and prestige through teaching Enkidu how to be an honorable, civilized man. She was asked to draw away Enkidu from the wild with her sexuality (7). She then taught him about sex, food, and drink as well as the idea of work related to manhood, “‘... [men] are engaged in labours of skill/ you, too, like a man, will find a place for yourself’” (George 2003: 12). Teaching Enkidu about sex, food, and drink is her job and is doubly important, because these are social expectations that Enkidu is expected to engage in. This is what is expected to her as a woman (George 2003: 7). Her role is particularly important, because she was the reason Enkidu comes to Uruk-the-Sheepfold. The hunters saw Enkidu
As Gilgamesh cleans himself and his blood stained weapons, Ishtar, the goddess of love and beauty, takes notice of his beauty and offers to become his wife. Gilgamesh refuses with insults, listing all her mortal lovers and recounting the dire fates they all met with at her hands. Ishtar is enraged at the rebuff. She returns to heaven and begs her father, Anu, to let her have the Bull of Heaven to wreak vengeance on Gilgamesh and his city. Anu reluctantly gives in, and the Bull of Heaven is sent down to terrorize the people of Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu, work together to slay the mighty bull. That following night Enkidu dreams that the chief gods met in a council and had decided that someone should be punished for the killing of Humbaba and the Bull of the Heavens. That someone is he. Enkidu commends himself to Gilgamesh, and after suffering terribly for twelve days, he finally dies.
Many themes are incorporated into the story line of Gilgamesh. These include three very important concepts: death is inevitable, immortality is unachievable, and friendship is a necessity.