Sexism in Ancient Cultures and Gilgamesh
After reading the beginning of Bishop Spong's book, I realized how even the major religions (used to) promote sexism. From the beginning, we worshiped a 'Mother Earth'. As humans started to introduce more gods, it became the 'Thunder GOD'. I believe this was the start of any major sexism, from an praying to an all caring mother, to blindly worshiping an angry male god (e.g. Zeus), showing that then people believed that males deserved more respect. Solucionario de mecanica de fluidos streeter 9 edicion pdf.
The Epic of Gilgamesh was a book that tells the story of two friends, Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Friendship was an important theme in The Epic of Gilgamesh because it showed the reasons of Gilgamesh's grief and why he tried to do the impossible just so his friend Enkidu could come back to life. Fighting for Friendship in the Epic 'Gilgamesh' 469 Words 2 Pages. The epic of Gilgamesh opens with the people of Uruk unhappy about Gilgamesh's behavior. He sends all boys off to war and no virgin is left to her groom because Gilgamesh must have them first. The people appeal to the gods and Aruru, goddess of creation, fashions Enkidu.
This belief that males were the betters sex carried on through the years. The nomadic tribes developed better weapons to hunt and fight, these weapons (e.g. spears) were obviously phallic symbols and used 'thrusting power' to kill. Bishop Spong's book mentions that 'over the years, these became less subtle in their symbology. What are missiles but a long erect rod which explode, and deliver their payload.' Even having sex, which used to be a religious ritual in ancient cities, has been perverted and is viewed by some males as a type of competition. They use insulting terms to describe this, for example 'who can bang, screw or f**k the most.'
The Epic Of Gilgamesh Pdf
Even in the history of modern religions, sexism has been a heavy influence. An ancient hebrew story about the creation says that 'The woman was more human that the animals, but not quite as human as man.' and that ' her sole purpose in life was to been the male's helpmeet, and to bring him pleasure, to relive his urges for sex (which was originally recreational) and companionship.' Microsoft rsat for mac.
The epic of Gilgamesh, the first written story in human history, promotes sexism as well. Gilgamesh was a MAN created by gods, therefore he had no equal. He traveled across the land and finally settled and built the walls of Uruk. Uruk became the finest city and flourished. However, Gilgamesh became over confident, leaving ' no son alive and no virgin to her lover.' The gods then decided to create an equal to Gilgamesh, a MAN raised in the wild, with strength that only Gilgamesh could equal. Gilgamesh sent one of the temple prostitutes to seduce Enkidu (the man created by the gods) and sever his connection to the wild. After a week of doing her thing, the temple prostitute/priestess is done and Enkidu attempts to return to the wild. After being rejected by the wilderness, he returns to the priestess who tells him about Gilgamesh. He then proceeds to stop Gilgamesh just before he meets his lover. The two wrestle, and their fight shakes the city, breaking doors and pillars. After Gilgamesh finally succeeds in throwing Enkidu, he realizes they are equals, TWO MALES with unmatched strength, and their friendship is sealed.
In Gilgamesh, only the MALES have unmatched strength, and the WOMAN is the one who may remove some of that strength. This may have inspired both a belief that man is superior to woman, and a fear that woman may remove your strength.
- College
- Literature
- Essay (any type)
The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh
The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh
From the epic, we find out that Gilgamesh is a son of a higher priest-king and a goddess. This makes Gilgamesh half-blood of divine birth. The latter get spoilt enough and grows up to be into something called arrogance. Of course, he did have some ground to make his statement: fair visage, handsomeness, physical power ad dare. He had it all. But he was also selfish, arrogant and never listened to any advice or order from his father. Besides Gilgamesh, the Great Gods, namely Ninhursag-Ki, have made a decision to create a 'second' Gilgamesh. 'So that rushing winds meet rushing winds' (Zeman), that the two would meet, unite and live in mutual understanding and immense friendship. This is how Enkidu was created. The Great Mother made him nothing like his brother. Enkidu was more like a star fallen down from heaven into the wild. Despite bearing resemblance to Gilgamesh, in character he was totally different. Lacking Gilgamesh's arrogance, pride, Enkidu was tough and strong – a man of the jungle (Abusch).
Right from the start of the epic, the reader can observe a certain bond between the two. It can almost be read between the lines. They meet, they fight and grow to become real friends. More so, they seem to be complementing each other, filling up the gap that each of them has. Gilgamesh for the first time in his life has met the desire to share something, which allows him to grow further (Wolff). This friendship ad a certain effect upon Gilgamesh. The latter had become more humane, less absorbed within himself, less of a loner. We must say that Gilgamesh as constantly experiencing this feeling of loneliness. However, the extent of longing was something Gilgamesh had not known, until the time he loses Enkidu (Tigay).
Their first meeting was that of great soulmates, the pattern of which was carefully used in all later literature readings. They meet, they fight, they acknowledge each other, befriend each other. Their relationship has a great meaning as Enkidu managed to change and transform Gilgamesh's character in such a way that the latter was deeply mournful when Enkidu dies – something which would never have happened to him before (Tigay).
In order to have a full understanding of the relationship between the two, the reader must turn to the Inner Sibling concept, our inner self. The Inner Sibling is most often a person whom you can confine the deepest secrets. Sometimes brothers and sisters are inner siblings. In the case of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is his Inner Sibling and Soulmate. He was made to fill in the gaps of creation that were clearly evident to Gilgamesh (Wolff). His bond with Enkidu is formed due to the companionship and multilayerd sibling. Their bond was something special as they never left each other and constantly attempted to keep everyone from fighting. To them, it was no longer needed. They constantly shared everything their thoughts on various opinions, ideas, virtually a single entity except in the form of
Two bodies. To Gilgamesh, apart from being a best friend, the only friend, our best friends. This is clearly mentioned in the epic through the use of the lines: presented in the Epic, and Gilgamesh says literally that Enkidu was 'the sword in my belt, the shield for my front' (Zeman).
Works Cited
Abusch, T. The Development and Meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh: An Interpretive Essay. Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 121 (4). 2011. Print
The epic of Gilgamesh, the first written story in human history, promotes sexism as well. Gilgamesh was a MAN created by gods, therefore he had no equal. He traveled across the land and finally settled and built the walls of Uruk. Uruk became the finest city and flourished. However, Gilgamesh became over confident, leaving ' no son alive and no virgin to her lover.' The gods then decided to create an equal to Gilgamesh, a MAN raised in the wild, with strength that only Gilgamesh could equal. Gilgamesh sent one of the temple prostitutes to seduce Enkidu (the man created by the gods) and sever his connection to the wild. After a week of doing her thing, the temple prostitute/priestess is done and Enkidu attempts to return to the wild. After being rejected by the wilderness, he returns to the priestess who tells him about Gilgamesh. He then proceeds to stop Gilgamesh just before he meets his lover. The two wrestle, and their fight shakes the city, breaking doors and pillars. After Gilgamesh finally succeeds in throwing Enkidu, he realizes they are equals, TWO MALES with unmatched strength, and their friendship is sealed.
In Gilgamesh, only the MALES have unmatched strength, and the WOMAN is the one who may remove some of that strength. This may have inspired both a belief that man is superior to woman, and a fear that woman may remove your strength.
- College
- Literature
- Essay (any type)
The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh
The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh
From the epic, we find out that Gilgamesh is a son of a higher priest-king and a goddess. This makes Gilgamesh half-blood of divine birth. The latter get spoilt enough and grows up to be into something called arrogance. Of course, he did have some ground to make his statement: fair visage, handsomeness, physical power ad dare. He had it all. But he was also selfish, arrogant and never listened to any advice or order from his father. Besides Gilgamesh, the Great Gods, namely Ninhursag-Ki, have made a decision to create a 'second' Gilgamesh. 'So that rushing winds meet rushing winds' (Zeman), that the two would meet, unite and live in mutual understanding and immense friendship. This is how Enkidu was created. The Great Mother made him nothing like his brother. Enkidu was more like a star fallen down from heaven into the wild. Despite bearing resemblance to Gilgamesh, in character he was totally different. Lacking Gilgamesh's arrogance, pride, Enkidu was tough and strong – a man of the jungle (Abusch).
Right from the start of the epic, the reader can observe a certain bond between the two. It can almost be read between the lines. They meet, they fight and grow to become real friends. More so, they seem to be complementing each other, filling up the gap that each of them has. Gilgamesh for the first time in his life has met the desire to share something, which allows him to grow further (Wolff). This friendship ad a certain effect upon Gilgamesh. The latter had become more humane, less absorbed within himself, less of a loner. We must say that Gilgamesh as constantly experiencing this feeling of loneliness. However, the extent of longing was something Gilgamesh had not known, until the time he loses Enkidu (Tigay).
Their first meeting was that of great soulmates, the pattern of which was carefully used in all later literature readings. They meet, they fight, they acknowledge each other, befriend each other. Their relationship has a great meaning as Enkidu managed to change and transform Gilgamesh's character in such a way that the latter was deeply mournful when Enkidu dies – something which would never have happened to him before (Tigay).
In order to have a full understanding of the relationship between the two, the reader must turn to the Inner Sibling concept, our inner self. The Inner Sibling is most often a person whom you can confine the deepest secrets. Sometimes brothers and sisters are inner siblings. In the case of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is his Inner Sibling and Soulmate. He was made to fill in the gaps of creation that were clearly evident to Gilgamesh (Wolff). His bond with Enkidu is formed due to the companionship and multilayerd sibling. Their bond was something special as they never left each other and constantly attempted to keep everyone from fighting. To them, it was no longer needed. They constantly shared everything their thoughts on various opinions, ideas, virtually a single entity except in the form of
Two bodies. To Gilgamesh, apart from being a best friend, the only friend, our best friends. This is clearly mentioned in the epic through the use of the lines: presented in the Epic, and Gilgamesh says literally that Enkidu was 'the sword in my belt, the shield for my front' (Zeman).
Works Cited
Abusch, T. The Development and Meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh: An Interpretive Essay. Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 121 (4). 2011. Print
Tigay, Jeffrey H. The evolution of the Gilgamesh epic. Wauconda, Ill: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2002. Print.
Wolff H.N. Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Heroic Life. Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Heroic Life. Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 89, (2). 1969. Print.
Epic Of Gilgamesh Pdf Free
Zeman, Ludmila. The last quest of Gilgamesh. Montreal, Quebec Plattsburgh, N.Y: Tundra Books Tundra Books of Northern New York. 1995. Myst iv: revelation for mac. Print.