Roles Of Gilegosh And The Power Of Women In Gilgamesh

Throughout the majority history, the power and influence of men over women varied greatly, with women typically being in the position of less power and influence. Although women seem to play a less apparent role, women are essential for both the continuation of life and the nurturing of the future, signifying that the power of women is very potent. The women of Gilgamesh are goddesses, priestesses and a variety of other roles, each with their own set of skills, guide Gilgamesh throughout the epic. Despite the perception of some scholars that the women of Gilgamesh appear inferior, the women have diverse and influential roles throughout the story, challenging the traditional conception of women’s lesser influence and power. The power of†¦show more content†¦Through the mass destruction caused by Ishtar, her power is evidently greater than the many of the dead warriors and equal or greater than that of one of the strongest men, Enkidu. Through the use of the Bull of Hea ven, Ishtar nearly defeats Enkidu, who is the equal of Gilgamesh, both described as large and strong men, an phallic symbol of power. Although she does not kill Gilgamesh with the Bull of Heaven, Enkidu is spat upon and covered in dung, which can be considered as very humiliating, and as Gilgamesh’s equal, this action is equivalent to the humiliation of Gilgamesh as well. For a woman to humiliate the greatest phallic symbols of the epic demonstrates that women are not lesser in power to men. Not only is Ishtar’s revenge a display of her power, but it also demonstrates the diversity of the role of women in the epic, as she does not act as a caring mother or supportive goddess as Ninsun does. Ishtar acts as an strong opponent to Gilgamesh, driving the plot forward as the death of the Bull of Heaven pushes the gods towards deciding that Enkidu must die; this death results in Gilgamesh’s quest for eternal life. Since the death of Enkidu is what causes Gilgamesh to go on his quest for immortality, Ishtar is the catalyst that causes this event to occur, â€Å"They have slaughtered the Bull of Heaven and killed Humbaba, watchman of the Cedar Forest. Therefore, one of the two must die †¦ Enkidu, not Gilgamesh, is the one who must die† (141). With the death of