Free Essays - Power of Women in Epic of Gilgamesh

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Power of Women in Epic of Gilgamesh

In Order to preserve life, the trapper has to civilize the man-like beast and have nature reject him at the hand of a woman. To do this the trappers father sends him to Uruk to see Gilgamesh to "extol the strength of this wild man." (20) Gilgamesh and the trappers father felt they must tempt the beast with a "woman's power" (20) to "overpower this man" (20) to ensure their way of life. But in order for the trapper to do his job Enkidu has to become educated to the ways of this culture. "He fills in the pits which I dig and tears up my traps set for the game; he helps the beasts to escape and now they slip through my fingers". (20).

A father, a trapper and Gilgamesh (part god/part man) felt that a woman was a greater weapon than an army. A woman conquers the beast in every man. Man betrays his upbringing and become civilized to protect their way of life. "When he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and then the wild beasts will reject him." (20) Gilgamesh is a womanizing ruler this is represented by him saying, "Take with you this harlot, a child of pleasure" (20) to the trapper so that they could save the existence of the community.

Gilgamesh bears the secret that if he is ever conquered it will be by a woman. By sending the Harlot he has revealed his own weakness. Ironically, this theme has been used throughout history; Beauty and the Beast, Anthony and Cleopatra, and Cruel Intentions. Today, madams and housewives have replaced harlots. They do not realize that the way Enkidu was raised will always be reflected in his personality. Foolishly the father, trapper and Gilgamesh try this deception they do not know if it will be successful, but they do know man's weakness.

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