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Roles of different genders in Mesopotamia
Mesopotamian gender roles
Roles of different genders in Mesopotamia
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The selected text for this argument is/are Gilgamesh and The Odyssey. Both texts place a notable emphasis on the idea of honor. Characters of considerable power or influence tend to make mention of the honorable actions they do or just how honorable their reputation really is. This honor relates to them doing exactly what is expected of them and fulfilling their gender roles in some cases. When an individual fails to fulfil their expectations, there is great shame associated with that particular character, their family, and their gender. With this idea consistently appearing in both texts, a connection can be draw flowing from social expectations or obligations to honor, and then, tying honor to power. So, this essay will argue that in both …show more content…
Gilgamesh goes to extraordinary lengths to find the fabled Uta-napishti to become immortal. Uta-napishti was once mortal, but became immortal after surviving the god-sent Deluge (George 2003: 95). Uta-napishti heard what his Prince, Ea, commanded and did as he was told and built a boat to survive the Deluge (George 2003: 89). Uta-napishti did not go seeking immortality like Gilamesh had. Uta-napishti simply listened to what his superior had told him and built a boat. Throughout building the boat, he allowed his workmen a feast similar to New Year, and Uta-napishti even gave his palace to the man who sealed the ship’s hatch (George 2003:90, 91). Yes, a flood is coming, but handling all of his matters in such an honorable, reflects well on Uta-napisthi. The text does not make mention exactly why Ea told Uta-napishti to build a boat. However, if his actions while building the boat are consistent with his general actions, Uta-napishti’s honorable and obedient character could be the reason which is aligned with the thesis of this argument. Not only is he rewarded with living after, but Uta-napishti is given immortality (George 2003: 95). Later, Uta-napishti becomes famous enough that the King, Gilgamesh, goes off in search of him. Immortality and fame are powerful in their own right, and the honorable Uta-napishti was given …show more content…
Her king asks her to draw away Enkidu from the wild with her sexuality (7). She then teaches 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. Doing all of these lessons is tied to the expectation she needs to adhere to as a woman (George 2003: 7). Another reason her role is particularly important, because she is the reason Enkidu comes to Uruk-the-Sheepfold. The hunters see Enkidu before Shamhat is involved and tried to capture him, but are unsuccessful (George 2003: 6). Others, particulary other men, tried to bring him in, but they failed. It took a woman, Shamat, to do her duty. Without her, Enkidu would have been less civilized or would have not gone to Uruk and the events of the story would not happen. The true force of her fulfilling her social obligations is seen as Enkidu is dying. Enkidu begins to curse her for bringing him away from the wild, but Shamash, a god, reminds Enkidu that Shamhat did wonderful things for him by fulfilling her duty (George 2003: 58). A god praises her! She fulfilled her duties and then received praises from a deity.
In the story, a women’s status is clear. Women are deemed as less important and less powerful compared to men. However, they are important and powerful characters that drive the story with their feminine qualities. Men often use women to gain for themselves, regardless of the outcome for the women. One of the women mentioned at the beginning of the story, “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” is Shamhat, a harlot taken to seduce and tame Enkidu, by the hunter who discovers Enkidu. Shamhat is told to use her womanly ways to seduce Enkidu, dragging him away from his wild beast life. “Treat him, a human, to women’s work” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 104), There was no concern whatsoever to Shamhat’s well-being or safety. Yes, she was a harlot, but she was put in serious danger when she was used as bait to lure a wild man away from other wild beasts.
Gender plays a role in literature, often reflecting the culture at the time of their creation. In such cases, it is also easy to tell the expectations of men and women in society. Gender roles in the works The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh are similar to which there is an obscure line between the two genders. Although most women are presented as maternal figures in both works, they are mainly seen as tools at the disposal of men.
For the Greeks, Homer's Odyssey was much more than just an entertaining tale of gods, monsters, and men, it served as cultural paradigm from which every important role and relationship could be defined. This book, much more so than its counter part The Iliad, gives an eclectic view of the Achean's peacetime civilization. Through Odyssey, we gain an understanding of what is proper or improper in relationships between father and son, god and mortal, servant and master, guest and host, and--importantly--man and woman. Women play a vital role in the movement of this narrative. Unlike in The Iliad, where they are chiefly prizes to be won, bereft of identity, the women of Odyssey are unique in their personality, intentions, and relationship towards men. Yet, despite the fact that no two women in this epic are alike, each--through her vices or virtues-- helps to delineate the role of the ideal woman. Below, we will show the importance of Circe, Calypso, Nausicaa, Clytaemestra, and Penelope in terms of the movement of the narrative and in defining social roles for the Ancient Greeks.
While Gilgamesh was a hero thought to be more beautiful, more courageous, more terrifying than all of the people of Uruk. Even though his desires, attributes, and accomplishments were just as there’s, he was still mortal.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure filled plot and is concerned with timeless human problems such as honour, jealousy, war and hatred. These contain gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are based on legends and myths.
Shamat is the prostitute of Uruk, although that may appear as a derogatory term, it is her way of contributing to society. Enkidu, is the answer to the prayers of the people of Uruk, that goddess Aruru has created as an equal to Gilgamesh. However, Enkidu cannot protect the people of Uruk if he is feared.
Honor or having an honor culture is a hallmark trait of many cultures both ancient and modern. While many would go to Homer’s The Iliad for clear indications of honor culture within Ancient Greek culture, The Odyssey also provides clear indications of an honor culture. Before honor culture within The Odyssey can be explored, honor and honor culture must first be defined. The most common and relatable explanation for honor culture in our modern day world is a prevailing culture in the southern United States of America especially within the Appalachian communities. This culture and the Ancient Greek culture share simple hallmarks. Honor culture is about neither committing transgressions against another, nor tolerating them when they are done to you. It is about the value of your “good name” and reputation for being honorable. This means that slights not only against you but against your name are taken very seriously. These things are generally held throughout all cultures of honor. Some of the specifics of honor are defined by each individual culture; these specifics along with the general state of an honor culture are shown in three events within The Odyssey. The culture of honor is shown in through Odysseus in his encounter with the Cyclops, the exchange with the Phaeacian man at the games, and in the slaughter of the suitors.
Many cultures have stories of a great flood, and probably the best known story is of Noah's Ark. The next most notable is the Sumerian story of Ut-Napishtim found in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the ancient Babylonian depiction of the flood story, the god Enlil creates a flood to destroy a noisy mankind that is disturbing his sleep. Gilgamesh is told by another god, Ea, to build an ark (Monack 1). The Epic of Gilgamesh has broadly the same structure and plot as Noah's Ark, suggesting the possibility that the Biblical account has drawn influence from the archaeologically older Sumerian depiction. University professor Alexander Heidel concludes that these accounts are undeniably related (Fowler 1). According to theological considerations, the Epic and the Biblical versions can be contrasted as well.
In the Homeric world, honor is qualified by power. In the Iliad, power is measured several ways. When Nestor tries to mediate between the enraged Achilles and Agamemnon, he makes the point that “power and glory [are] given by Zeus himself” (Book I, Line 294). A king is the ultimate in nobility, even if he is the king of a small, poor Greek city. Being a king depends on accident of birth, not on ability, and is a sign of the gods’ favor. Because the gods have smiled on him, “a scepter-holding king has honor beyond the rest of men” (Book I, Line 293). In the Greek army...
Gilgamesh, Beowulf, and Odysseus are similar in many ways, however, there is one major difference within their moral character. Gilgamesh begins with the author detailing our hero’s greatest qualities and accomplishments, but we quickly discover he has some major moral shortcomings.
Gilgamesh was thought to be more beautiful, courageous, powerful and wise than all of the people of Uruk. These attributes were thought to be god like; and even though they were gifts of the gods he was still mortal. He came to the realization that no matter what, he would not only have to witness the deaths of others, he was subject to the same fate; being mortal. This is the one thing that he feared the most and vowed to find a way to become immortal.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and Oedipus Rex all center on morality in terms of each character’s social behavior from the beginning to the end of the story. Gilgamesh, Achilles, and Oedipus are three central characters that embody strong qualities of strength, however carry different experiences of morality. Furthermore, all three characters hold different moral codes that are dependent on their ability to resolve the unique situations that they are in. Nevertheless, morality has ultimately impacted the character’s perception of their role in society in terms of whether or not their actions benefit someone or something. This paper will be examining the morality of the three main characters as they undergo major character transformations
The flood story that is told in The Epic of Gilgamesh has the same principle as the story of Noah told in the book of Genesis in the Bible, but there are some major differences. In the epic, Utnapishtim is immortal and, although Noah was extremely old when he died, he wasn’t immortal. Utnapishtim was a human, but because he saved mankind, Enlil said, “Hitherto Utnapishtim has been a human, now Utnapishtim and his wife shall become like us gods.” (Gilgamesh 11.206-207) In the Biblical story, God told Noah that he was going to send a flood and asked him specifically to make the ark in order to save mankind. In Genesis 6:13-22, God tells Noah why he’s flooding the earth and exact instructions to build the ark. “13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress[a] wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.[b] 16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit[c] high all arou...
The idea of fate has baffled mankind for centuries. Can humans control what happens to them, or is everyone placed in a predestined world designed by a higher power? The Epic of Gilgamesh and Oedipus The King highlight on the notion that no matter what, people cannot control what is destined to occur. Interestingly enough, many other distantly connected cultures had, and have similar gods or goddesses who play a role in the fate of individuals. Oedipus, King of Thebes, was told by the Oracle at Delphi that he would one day kill his father and marry his mother. Determined not to let this prophecy verify his fears, Oedipus does all in his power to prevent this from happening, yet fails. Similarly, Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, attempts to obtain immortality, but fails as well. Gilgamesh's and Oedipus's intense fear and ignorance cause them to try to interfere with their fates, leading to their failures and realization of the futility of trying to control destiny.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.