The Power Of Power In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

As defined by the Webster dictionary, Power is the “ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral; potency; might; as, a man of great power, the power of capillary attraction; money gives power.” We have seen this through our own government and the individuals who use their leadership in selfish, greedy ways in order to maintain power. “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is a quote by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Action that has proven throughout history that a person’s desire for power ultimately leads them to corruption. As witnessed in The Pardoner’s Tale by Geoffrey

Sanders. The awareness that sex could procure whatever she wanted, played a large role in her corruption and greed. Her control leads to Enkidu and Gilgamesh turning against each other, leading to Enkidu’s death that ultimately has Gilgamesh searching for immortality. The path of destruction by Ishtar is through her sexual prowess. For every lover that she has, some horrible punishment befalls them. When Gilgamesh declines her sexual advances and confronts her regarding the trail of disaster each conquest has befallen, (p. 12), Ishtar turns to her father, Anu, the sky-god. Although Ishtar does not have the power to wrath havoc on Gilgamesh, she threatens her father to unleash the Bull of Heaven on him. Indifferent to the damage that will occur to the people, she reminds her father of all she has done for the people and believes she is deserving of this request. Ishtar’s power was the ability to entice men to do horrible deeds for her and then without care, the unavoidable, wrath they will endure at her hands. The potency of power can effect moral judgment and in turn spawn results that will be undignified and

However, the most recent is the email scandal that occurred during the Benghazi investigation. According to the USA Today article, The Benghazi investigation: What you need to know, Secretary of State Clinton testified that she was “responsible for the tragedy and agreed to improve security at diplomatic outposts in high-threat areas,” yet denies she had any knowledge of the on-goings beforehand. Although there were repeated requests for increased security, the lapse of such on September 11, 2012 resulted in the deaths of four Americans. It was uncovered that Clinton had over “30,000” emails on her private server all work-related and then subsequently, it was “wiped clean.” Undoubtedly, this is a breach of security, yet Clinton’s explanation was that it was just convenient for her to use her smartphones. What makes this a big deal? Well, being a government official, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is bound by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIC). Meaning as citizens we have the right to know what our government is doing, hopefully on our behalf and not for their benefit. By using her own private server, she “effectively shielded her messages.” Although there are hearings taking place regarding this sensitive matter, the fact remains that people died, classified information was withheld and destroyed, and finally the sense of power made Clinton believe she was