The Epic of Gilgamesh Analysis - Essay Example

They cannot do anything because he is the king who is at liberty to do anything he desires.

The gods recommended that Gilgamesh required a powerful, restless, and adventurous hero to be his friend and worthy opponent. Aruru, the womb goddess, decided to pick on Enkidu who lived in the wilderness amongst the animals, disturbing hunters and farmers. Therefore, one of the gods convinced Shamhat, a temple harlot, to make a civilized and humble man out of him by sleeping with him for one week. However, just after having the first taste of sex, Shamhat successfully manages to convince him to come and live in the temple. She promises to introduce her to some good friends and even teach him to live as a civilized human something that he accepts. Gilgamesh and Enkidu became great friends, and since that time, Gilgamesh became so committed to his duties as a king to extent that he turned down goddess Ishtar’s offer to sleep with her.

The power of women and sex, in this play, is also demonstrated when Gilgamesh turns down goddess Ishtar’s offer to sleep with her. In response, he asked Ishtar, “but how could I repay you as a wife and still avoid the bitterness and strife that follow you?” (Jackson, 36). This indicates how the gods and goddesses were highly powerful and any attempt to reject their demands would result in serious punishment. In this case, sex is used as a supreme demand that Gilgamesh has to accept. This is the reason why Ishtar released the bull to destroy the people of Uruk and it is what led to Enkidu’s death. This context is further used to change Gilgamesh’s attitudes and behaviors.

To end the shame and acquire immortality, Gilgamesh again is helped by a woman, Utanapishtim’s wife. Gilgamesh is ashamed of his attitudes and behaviors, and he says, “I now race from place to place, dissatisfied with wherever I am and turn my step to Utnapishtim” (Jackson, 59). He asked Utanapishtim, “Help me Utnapishtim. Where is home for one like me whose self was robbed of life?” (Jackson, 85). The woman used her power, as a woman, to make Gilgamesh come to terms with real life and the majesty of his kingdom. This is an indication of how Jackson employed the theme of sex and women to develop the theme of the story about changing the attitude and behaviors of wild and mighty men. Read More