Gilgamesh Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Gilgamesh - Essay Example The gods recommended that Gilgamesh required a powerful, restless and adventurous hero to be his friend and worthy opponent. Aruru, the womb goddess, decided to pick on Enkidu who lived in the wilderness amongst the animals, disturbing hunters and farmers. Therefore, one of the gods convinced Shamhat, a temple harlot, to make a civilized and humble man out of him by sleeping with him for a period of one week. However, just after having the first taste of sex, Shamhat successfully manages to convince him to come and live in the temple. She promises to introduce her to some good friends and even teach him to live as a civilized human something that he accepts. Gilgamesh and Enkidu became great friends, and since that time, Gilgamesh became so committed to his duties as a king to extent that he turned down goddess Ishtar’s offer to sleep with her. The power of women and sex, in this play, is also demonstrated when Gilgamesh turns down goddess Ishtar’s offer to sleep with her. In response, he asked Ishtar, â€Å"but how could I repay you as a wife and still avoid the bitterness and strife that follow you?† (Jackson 36). This indicates how the gods and goddess were highly powerful and any attempt to reject their demands would result into a serious punishment. In this case, sex is used as a supreme demand that Gilgamesh has to accept. This is the reason why Ishtar released the bull to destroy the people of Uruk and it is what led to Enkidu’s death. This context is further used to change Gilgamesh’s attitudes and behaviors. In the attempt to end shame and acquire immortality, Gilgamesh again is helped by a woman, Utanapishtim’s wife. Gilgamesh is ashamed with his attitudes and behaviors, and he says, â€Å"I now race from place to place, dissatisfied with wherever I am and turn my step to Utnapishtim† (Jackson 59). He asked Utanapishtim, â€Å"Help me