For this blogpost I have decided to answer Professor Millers discussion question of : What is the purpose of Enkidu’s string of curses in Tablet VII? Why, especially, does he curse Shamhat? For what does he blame her? (VII. 58-86 [pp129-30]) along with Gilgamesh’s death realization.
Death is a lesson Gilgamesh learned throughout his journey as it is something he would of never predicted happening to himself or Enkidu (since he is seen as a God and indestructible.) In Tablet IX line 3-14, Gilgamesh is seen to question whether death was something possible for him but death is inevitable unless you’re a God. Gilgamesh realizes this and becomes better aware of this fact when Enkidu warns him about his fight with Humbaba. Gilgamesh couldn’t even fathom death to the point where he was irked and disgusted by Enkidu’s fear of death at the end of Tablet II line 174-189. This changes later on when Enkidu does die and shows Gilgamesh that even the greatest must die one day.
As Enkidu is dying, he strings curses Shamhat the harlot in Tablet VII. He does this since he begins to realize that he as no control or power over what is coming over him. He is in dismay that death has hit him. He specifically curses Shamhat since he also realizes he has no power to harm her or even put a curse on her for her to suffer the same tragedy of death. During a persons low moments in death, they blame everyone else around them and think of the cruel things that have happened to them that have led them to this point in their lives. Enkedu blames her for having her join the human world of sexuality.
It is a nice analysis of a person, who knows he is about to die. As I was reading through the passage, I found the question was unanswered. Gilgamesh was getting powerful and arrogant everyday. Gods were afraid that he might cause further damage in the kingdom. Goddess Aruru created Enkidu with similar character and power to match Gilgamesh, to clam him down. We shouldn’t forget that Shamhat is the main person who brought Enkidu to the human society and Enkidu was able to befriend Gilgamesh.
After Enkidu saw a dream where the council of Gods were seated, who decided the fate of Enkidu, he felt sick and lonely. He started talking with the door, as it was a human. He recalled each and every event of his life. He recalls clearing the cedar forest, killing of Humbaba and starts tearing his clothes and hair. He is trying to find the reason for the dream he saw. He curses Shamhat as a remainder that, he would have been alive, if he were living in the forest. He came to human’s land and behaved as humans. He trapped and killed the wolves and lions, with which he shared the jungle. He feels that it is a punishment given by God Enlil. The first person he remembers is Shamhat and pours his anger over her.
The second paragraph was the anaylsis of the dreams, which has been an important factor in The Epic of Gilgamesh. The writer mentioned the journey of Gilgamesh to get immortality and his realization about death. On the last paragraph, the writer reveals the reason about Enkidu crushing Shamhat, but I believe sexuality is just a part of it.