The Role of Women in The Gilgamesh
The role of women has been changing throughout history. There have been matriarchal societies and ones where women have been considered to be subordinate to men in all aspects. One of the themes in Gilgamesh is the role of women. Women are seen are the downfall of men, nurturers, and possessions. The varying role of women in Gilgamesh is representative of the time period it was written in since the role of women was changing drastically from wise women to subordination during the Bronze Age. Enkidu's unfortunate and untimely death is ultimately caused by a woman. If Gilgamesh had not sent the prostitute into the forest to sleep with Enkidu he would have never known the hardships of being a "real" human. The first night that Gilgamesh and Enkidu are in the forest waiting for Humbaba Enkidu thinks of how he was once one with the forest until the prostitute came into his life; he is scared because he keeps seeing visions of his former life. On his death bed, Enkidu screams "Because of her. She made me see/Things as a man, and a man sees death in things. /That is what it
You'll know/When you have lost the strength to see/The way you once did. The last role of women in Gilgamesh is that of them being viewed as possessions. If he had never slept with the prostitute he would have never known death and what is was like to love someone. If Gilgamesh had given into the temptation of Siduri he would have never ended his grieving and learned how to deal with his suffering. She then tries to persuade him to stay with her instead of going on; she tells him his journey is in vain and if he stays with her she will bring him great pleasure. Gilgamesh shows in this regard that women have always played some type of role in history, whether it was for the better or worse. Another example of how women can cause the downfall of men in Gilgamesh is when Gilgamesh meets Siduri, the barmaid on his way to find Utnapishtim. His ordering of the prostitute to go sleep with Enkidu is a prime example of how he feels he can just order women to do whatever he wants them to; as if he owns them completely. This shows how Gilgamesh does not really respect women, except his mother, and sees them only as objects to be had. She takes him in, bathes him, and sleeps with him. Gilgamesh always goes to Ninsun when he is in need of advice, guidance, love, and companionship. Gilgamesh realizes he must go on and suddenly feels suffocated in her presence. Gilgamesh's mother, Ninsun, is an example of how women are wise and should be revered.
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