Theme Of Women In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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Boundaries, Balance, and Punishment The Epic of Gilgamesh introduces us to a vain, one third man and two thirds god named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk. He's egotistical and narcissistic and many loathe that about him. The Epic of Gilgamesh mirrors how Mesopotamian civilization actually examined and respected women. The females in The Epic of Gilgamesh were viewed as powerful, commanding, and competent women throughout the poem. They set boundaries and were symbolic which is extremely significant in this poem. The women that were most meaningful and essential with setting boundaries and had really important roles are Shamhat; the temple prostitute, Siduri; the tavern keeper, the goddess of wine- making and brewing, and Ishtar; the goddess of love, fertility, and war. …show more content…

Not only did Gilgamesh reject her but he also disrespected her by saying foal things towards her. The after math was not pretty at all. As a consequence, Ishtar, the goddess of love, fertility, and war summoned the Bull of Heaven onto Gilgamesh. Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh with each other's support slayed and conquered the bull. However, Ishtar was disrespected even more when Enkidu thought it would be a good idea to rip out the bull's right thigh, toss it in her face and threaten her. "When Enkidu heard these words, he tore out the bulls' right thigh and tossed it to her face saying, if I could lay my hands on you it is this I should do to you, and lash the entrails to your side."3 Enkidu isn't a god, he's a man. He stepped over the boundaries of disrespecting a god. This intimidation definitely made Ishtar infuriated, she was seeing red all around. As a result of Gilgamesh and Enkidu slaughtering the Bull of Heaven and Humababa the gods made Enkidu become sick and die as punishment. Here you have the gods setting boundaries and keeping Enkidu and Gilgamesh in order. Enkidu lost his life and Gilgamesh lost his other half, his

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