What about the women in the story: Ninsun, Shamhat, and the goddess Aruru? What specific powers does each possess and wield and how do they move the narrative forward?
As overprotected as Ninsum is of Gilgamesh, she is not that motherly when it comes to an adopted son. For example it state “Mighty Enkidu, though you are no issue of my womb, your little ones shall be among the devotees of Gilgamesh,” (IV, 88-89). All mothers love their children, adopted or not. But Ninsum sees Enkidu as a shield of protection for her son, Gilgamesh. Even if Ninsum showed a little caring for Enkidu, it still does not compare to the times that she had prayed to the god for Gilgamesh protection. Her powers of telling Gilgamesh dream’s has impacted the story by engaging Gilgamesh in to wanting to go after his dreams.
Aside from being a harlot, Shamhat is generous person. For example it states “Eat the bread, Enkida, the staff of life, Drink the beer, the custom of the land.” (II, 38-39). By offer Enkidu food and drink symbolizes humanity. Her impact on the story is about getting Enkidu to come to Uruk. But it’s not about just getting Enkidu to Uruk, it’s about how she gets Enkidu to change his life style, eating and getting him to wanting to fight Gilgamesh. Without her lustful work Enkidu will have never meet with Gilgamesh.
Aruru is known as a mother of birth. Her motherly emotions have gotten the best of her. The annoyance of her daughter made her create Enkidu. But was it really a need for help or was it just a command to a pet god. It sounds like if god were treat as pets, following their creation’s command. For example it state “You, Aruru created the boundless human race, Now, create what Anu commanded,” (I, 87-89). This was no ordinary command, it was to just make a human come to life. Aruru really had to work hard in creating Enkidu. It feels like if Aruru is not a god but a worker for the creation she has created. She impacts the story by creating Enkidu when hearing the command of Anu. Without her role as a goddess of birth, Enkidu would not even be a part of the story.
What is the nature of the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu? How does each character compliment the other?
The relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is compare to a brotherly relationship, where Enkidu is the oldest and Gilgamesh is the youngest. For example it state “Gilgamesh and Enkidu grappled each other, Holding fast like wrestlers,” (II, 103-104). They fought like how little sibling fight but, this was for a personal matter at that time. They both care for each other. For example “Gilgamesh made ready to speak, Saying to Enkidu: Why are your eyes full of tears, Why are you listless, your strength turned to weakness? Enkidu said to him, to Gilgamesh: Cries of sorrow, my friend, have cramped my muscles, Woe has entered my heart.” (II, 125-130). Their relationship grew stronger as they went on dangerous adventure. But Enkidu grew ill and dies, which made Gilgamesh, drown in sorrow of emotional pain. This is a learning experience for everyone, to love the once that are around you, you never know when will they go away.
They both are loyal to each other. Gilgamesh never left Enkidu in danger and Enkidu never left Gilgamesh. For example “Humbabba is guardian of the forest of cedars, Finish him off for the kill, put him out of existence,” (V, 66-67). In this part Enkidu motivates Gilgamesh to kill Humbabba. Even so, Enkidu treats Gilgamesh like a son. For example it states “Enkidu made Gilgamesh a shelter for receiving dreams,” (IV, 118). Likewise, Enkidu explains Gilgamesh’s dreams the same way Gilgamesh’s mother would. For example it state “The wild bull you saw is Shamash, the protector, He will take our hands in need.” (IV, 150-156).
Puchner, Martin. “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. A. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 1430. Print.
I definitely think amit is right as far as describing each female characters in the story.
For example, Ninsun does not truly love her children, given that she doesn’t see Enkidu the way she sees Gilgamesh. As far as caring & love is concerned.
Being a whore, or a prostitute, doesn’t mean that you cannot be a nice person. Shamash is a nice person as stated by the author(s).
I think the goddess arura has a very important role in the story, since she is the one that created Enkidu.
in the epic of Gilgamesh, all the women, including the harlot and goddess an princess, they had similar roles just delivered in different ways. in my opinion, they all played very important roles in the civilization of Mesopotamia. they individually played the role of boosting the ego of every man they encounter, just like Amit said that he felt like aruru is not a god but a worker for the creation she has created. agree with you however, I would say she is still a god but in their time, being a woman is, to protect the ego of men, be it a king or their own creation. for example, we read all the praise words rained on Gilgamesh by princess Ishtar even though it resulted in destruction later on. this is a pattern that I observed throughout the story.
The Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible is filled with many stories and lessons. The story of Joseph is on of the more profound and interesting stories. Joseph was the last son of Israel and his favorite, but he was not treated kindly by his brothers because they were jealous. In addition to this God had a special purpose for Joseph through fulfilling his dream. Joseph recalls his dream to his Brothers.
“Listen, pray to this dream that I dreamed. And, look, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, look my sheaf arouse and actually stood up, and look your sheaves drew round and bowed to my sheaf. And his brothers said to him, “Do you mean to reign over us, do you mean to rule us”. -The Hebrew Bible, Genesis Chapter 37
In this passage as they were shearing sheaves in the field Joseph’s sheave arouse which means it was not always upright. Joseph began as a prisoner and he arose to eventually become the Pharaoh’s interpreter of dreams. Another interpretation of this passage is that all men reap what they sow. Sheaves that were not upright and tall were considered as not fully matured to farmers. His brothers plotted against him and God used their plan to save the Israelites from famine and starvation. In the story of Joseph you notice a pattern of misfortune to then being favored. He arouse as the sheaves did from his misfortune. Joseph began in Egypt by being sold into the Egyptian’s household. Joseph then secured his position as an appointee to the Egyptian master’s household. Joseph became a prisoner and then after the pharaohs interpreter of dreams. At the end of the story Joseph became a trusted advisor to the Pharaoh himself. There is no one higher then the Pharaoh in Egyptian culture and Joseph became his trusted advisor. His dream of reigning over his brothers really came true, but by constant misfortune did he rise to reign over his Brothers.
Gender Roles in the Bible
While the word men could mean both male and female genders, I think, general reference to men in the Bible refers to male gender only. For example, Matthews 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount (Norton B 23-26) story gives me impression that it was written solely for male audience. Following are a few points that highlight men dominance over women.
The story teaches a man not to be “angry with his brother” otherwise he would be subject to a judgment. Instead of using words brother and sister or sibling, the teaching is specifically addressed to males and the relationship among them.
Furthermore, the preaching against adultery is again directed to males. The explanation of adultery starts with “any man who looks at a woman.” Then, a wife is compared to a part of a human body by telling “if your right eye makes you go amiss, take it out.” Since marriage union is viewed as a single entity, the preaching teaches a man who has an unfaithful wife to divorce her otherwise they both would go to hell. Thereafter, the story teaches a man to divorce his wife if he decided to abandon her. The divorce would make a woman “the victim of adultery” and a man who would marry a divorced woman would be committing adultery himself. This approach places the female gender in disadvantaged position. While a man is granted a right to divorce and remarry, a divorced woman is casted out for the rest of her live.
Luke 15
Throughout history religions around the world have created a set of rules to impose fear of God among society. We have been taught to follow certain principles and morals of how to behave to be liked by God so that we are not punished. But why fear God? God has created us equals and his teachings were not only for the elite or priest or saints but for everyone, good or bad, sinner or not, everyone was welcome to hear Jesus preach and learn from what he had to say to become a better person for themselves and society.
As the Christian Bible states in the parable in Luke 15 regarding the man and the two sons, where the younger son took his inheritance and ran off and expend it in riotous living. He realized that after he expended it all and was dying of hunger he had made a huge mistake and repented. He decided to go back to his father, ask for forgiveness and ask to be made a servant as he didn’t feel worthy to be call his son, as to what the father responded, “Quick, bring the best clothing and put it on him, and have a ring for his hand and shoes for his feet, and bring the fatter calf, slaughter him, and let us eat and make merry because this man, my son, was a dead man and came to life, he was lost and he has been found.” (Luke 15, Norton B, 27)This is a beautiful passage as it reflects the love of a father or parent to his child, it doesn’t matter how difficult times are or how much you have sin, or misbehave because at the end of the day as you repent of your actions and ask for forgiveness, God as a father, forgives us for our sins instead of being upset and sentencing us to hell.
This parable reflects the love of God toward all humanity. It doesn’t matter how much you sin there is always time to repent and ask for forgiveness as long as it’s sincere. It says an example to humanity that if God is able to forgive our faults, people should be able to do the same.
I agree with everything you state in this post, except where you say that “it doesn’t matter how much you sin-there is always a time to repent”. Do you know what tomorrow will bring? You can have time to repent today, but do you know for a fact you’ll have the time tomorrow, next week or next month? In Matthew 13 Jesus talks to them about the Kingdom of Heaven and what will happen to those who follow his teachings and those who don’t. He talks to them about the man who sowed good seed and the enemy came and sowed darnel in with the grain. The man let both grow together and at the end the servants separated the good seed from the darnel. The darnel was burnt and the good seed was kept. The darnel represents the people who will not have the time to repent from their sins. Why would they even mention hell, good and evil if everyone is supposedly forgiven after committing sins? Hell shouldn’t be mentioned in the bible if sins will be forgiven and everyone has the time to repent before death.
Next to a good man, there’s always an amazing woman
In the Pillow Book, author Sei Shonagon describes her life in detailed on how it was being part of the court serving the empress Teishi. She observed people around her, how people behaved in public, their actions, their clothing, and their culture. There are many anecdotes that I found very interesting and surprising as it is the case when a man stop visiting their wife at her home, as it symbolizes he has divorce her and ran off with some other woman. First, in our culture, when you are married, you live with your partner until they both make the difficult decision to separate without surprising one another and leave them wondering as to what happened. Here, it is understood, that the husband doesn’t live at the marital house, so it is easier for them just to stop visiting as they have nothing to lose. People seem to be living at their own will and don’t take into consideration the other persons feelings and emotions. It is sad, because as a woman’s point of view, woman are being treated as objects that can be changed at any time a men desires, this is quite unfair because woman are being degraded; woman not only are hardworking, sensible and emotional, but full of brilliant ideas to succeed in life. It’s like the saying “next to a good man there is an amazing woman”.
Amit Thohan
What about the women in the story: Ninsun, Shamhat, and the goddess Aruru? What specific powers does each possess and wield and how do they move the narrative forward?
As overprotected as Ninsum is of Gilgamesh, she is not that motherly when it comes to an adopted son. For example it state “Mighty Enkidu, though you are no issue of my womb, your little ones shall be among the devotees of Gilgamesh,” (IV, 88-89). All mothers love their children, adopted or not. But Ninsum sees Enkidu as a shield of protection for her son, Gilgamesh. Even if Ninsum showed a little caring for Enkidu, it still does not compare to the times that she had prayed to the god for Gilgamesh protection. Her powers of telling Gilgamesh dream’s has impacted the story by engaging Gilgamesh in to wanting to go after his dreams.
Aside from being a harlot, Shamhat is generous person. For example it states “Eat the bread, Enkida, the staff of life, Drink the beer, the custom of the land.” (II, 38-39). By offer Enkidu food and drink symbolizes humanity. Her impact on the story is about getting Enkidu to come to Uruk. But it’s not about just getting Enkidu to Uruk, it’s about how she gets Enkidu to change his life style, eating and getting him to wanting to fight Gilgamesh. Without her lustful work Enkidu will have never meet with Gilgamesh.
Aruru is known as a mother of birth. Her motherly emotions have gotten the best of her. The annoyance of her daughter made her create Enkidu. But was it really a need for help or was it just a command to a pet god. It sounds like if god were treat as pets, following their creation’s command. For example it state “You, Aruru created the boundless human race, Now, create what Anu commanded,” (I, 87-89). This was no ordinary command, it was to just make a human come to life. Aruru really had to work hard in creating Enkidu. It feels like if Aruru is not a god but a worker for the creation she has created. She impacts the story by creating Enkidu when hearing the command of Anu. Without her role as a goddess of birth, Enkidu would not even be a part of the story.
What is the nature of the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu? How does each character compliment the other?
The relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is compare to a brotherly relationship, where Enkidu is the oldest and Gilgamesh is the youngest. For example it state “Gilgamesh and Enkidu grappled each other, Holding fast like wrestlers,” (II, 103-104). They fought like how little sibling fight but, this was for a personal matter at that time. They both care for each other. For example “Gilgamesh made ready to speak, Saying to Enkidu: Why are your eyes full of tears, Why are you listless, your strength turned to weakness? Enkidu said to him, to Gilgamesh: Cries of sorrow, my friend, have cramped my muscles, Woe has entered my heart.” (II, 125-130). Their relationship grew stronger as they went on dangerous adventure. But Enkidu grew ill and dies, which made Gilgamesh, drown in sorrow of emotional pain. This is a learning experience for everyone, to love the once that are around you, you never know when will they go away.
They both are loyal to each other. Gilgamesh never left Enkidu in danger and Enkidu never left Gilgamesh. For example “Humbabba is guardian of the forest of cedars, Finish him off for the kill, put him out of existence,” (V, 66-67). In this part Enkidu motivates Gilgamesh to kill Humbabba. Even so, Enkidu treats Gilgamesh like a son. For example it states “Enkidu made Gilgamesh a shelter for receiving dreams,” (IV, 118). Likewise, Enkidu explains Gilgamesh’s dreams the same way Gilgamesh’s mother would. For example it state “The wild bull you saw is Shamash, the protector, He will take our hands in need.” (IV, 150-156).
Puchner, Martin. “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. A. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 1430. Print.
I definitely think amit is right as far as describing each female characters in the story.
For example, Ninsun does not truly love her children, given that she doesn’t see Enkidu the way she sees Gilgamesh. As far as caring & love is concerned.
Being a whore, or a prostitute, doesn’t mean that you cannot be a nice person. Shamash is a nice person as stated by the author(s).
I think the goddess arura has a very important role in the story, since she is the one that created Enkidu.
in the epic of Gilgamesh, all the women, including the harlot and goddess an princess, they had similar roles just delivered in different ways. in my opinion, they all played very important roles in the civilization of Mesopotamia. they individually played the role of boosting the ego of every man they encounter, just like Amit said that he felt like aruru is not a god but a worker for the creation she has created. agree with you however, I would say she is still a god but in their time, being a woman is, to protect the ego of men, be it a king or their own creation. for example, we read all the praise words rained on Gilgamesh by princess Ishtar even though it resulted in destruction later on. this is a pattern that I observed throughout the story.
The Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible is filled with many stories and lessons. The story of Joseph is on of the more profound and interesting stories. Joseph was the last son of Israel and his favorite, but he was not treated kindly by his brothers because they were jealous. In addition to this God had a special purpose for Joseph through fulfilling his dream. Joseph recalls his dream to his Brothers.
“Listen, pray to this dream that I dreamed. And, look, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, look my sheaf arouse and actually stood up, and look your sheaves drew round and bowed to my sheaf. And his brothers said to him, “Do you mean to reign over us, do you mean to rule us”. -The Hebrew Bible, Genesis Chapter 37
In this passage as they were shearing sheaves in the field Joseph’s sheave arouse which means it was not always upright. Joseph began as a prisoner and he arose to eventually become the Pharaoh’s interpreter of dreams. Another interpretation of this passage is that all men reap what they sow. Sheaves that were not upright and tall were considered as not fully matured to farmers. His brothers plotted against him and God used their plan to save the Israelites from famine and starvation. In the story of Joseph you notice a pattern of misfortune to then being favored. He arouse as the sheaves did from his misfortune. Joseph began in Egypt by being sold into the Egyptian’s household. Joseph then secured his position as an appointee to the Egyptian master’s household. Joseph became a prisoner and then after the pharaohs interpreter of dreams. At the end of the story Joseph became a trusted advisor to the Pharaoh himself. There is no one higher then the Pharaoh in Egyptian culture and Joseph became his trusted advisor. His dream of reigning over his brothers really came true, but by constant misfortune did he rise to reign over his Brothers.
Gender Roles in the Bible
While the word men could mean both male and female genders, I think, general reference to men in the Bible refers to male gender only. For example, Matthews 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount (Norton B 23-26) story gives me impression that it was written solely for male audience. Following are a few points that highlight men dominance over women.
The story teaches a man not to be “angry with his brother” otherwise he would be subject to a judgment. Instead of using words brother and sister or sibling, the teaching is specifically addressed to males and the relationship among them.
Furthermore, the preaching against adultery is again directed to males. The explanation of adultery starts with “any man who looks at a woman.” Then, a wife is compared to a part of a human body by telling “if your right eye makes you go amiss, take it out.” Since marriage union is viewed as a single entity, the preaching teaches a man who has an unfaithful wife to divorce her otherwise they both would go to hell. Thereafter, the story teaches a man to divorce his wife if he decided to abandon her. The divorce would make a woman “the victim of adultery” and a man who would marry a divorced woman would be committing adultery himself. This approach places the female gender in disadvantaged position. While a man is granted a right to divorce and remarry, a divorced woman is casted out for the rest of her live.
Luke 15
Throughout history religions around the world have created a set of rules to impose fear of God among society. We have been taught to follow certain principles and morals of how to behave to be liked by God so that we are not punished. But why fear God? God has created us equals and his teachings were not only for the elite or priest or saints but for everyone, good or bad, sinner or not, everyone was welcome to hear Jesus preach and learn from what he had to say to become a better person for themselves and society.
As the Christian Bible states in the parable in Luke 15 regarding the man and the two sons, where the younger son took his inheritance and ran off and expend it in riotous living. He realized that after he expended it all and was dying of hunger he had made a huge mistake and repented. He decided to go back to his father, ask for forgiveness and ask to be made a servant as he didn’t feel worthy to be call his son, as to what the father responded, “Quick, bring the best clothing and put it on him, and have a ring for his hand and shoes for his feet, and bring the fatter calf, slaughter him, and let us eat and make merry because this man, my son, was a dead man and came to life, he was lost and he has been found.” (Luke 15, Norton B, 27)This is a beautiful passage as it reflects the love of a father or parent to his child, it doesn’t matter how difficult times are or how much you have sin, or misbehave because at the end of the day as you repent of your actions and ask for forgiveness, God as a father, forgives us for our sins instead of being upset and sentencing us to hell.
This parable reflects the love of God toward all humanity. It doesn’t matter how much you sin there is always time to repent and ask for forgiveness as long as it’s sincere. It says an example to humanity that if God is able to forgive our faults, people should be able to do the same.
I agree with everything you state in this post, except where you say that “it doesn’t matter how much you sin-there is always a time to repent”. Do you know what tomorrow will bring? You can have time to repent today, but do you know for a fact you’ll have the time tomorrow, next week or next month? In Matthew 13 Jesus talks to them about the Kingdom of Heaven and what will happen to those who follow his teachings and those who don’t. He talks to them about the man who sowed good seed and the enemy came and sowed darnel in with the grain. The man let both grow together and at the end the servants separated the good seed from the darnel. The darnel was burnt and the good seed was kept. The darnel represents the people who will not have the time to repent from their sins. Why would they even mention hell, good and evil if everyone is supposedly forgiven after committing sins? Hell shouldn’t be mentioned in the bible if sins will be forgiven and everyone has the time to repent before death.
Next to a good man, there’s always an amazing woman
In the Pillow Book, author Sei Shonagon describes her life in detailed on how it was being part of the court serving the empress Teishi. She observed people around her, how people behaved in public, their actions, their clothing, and their culture. There are many anecdotes that I found very interesting and surprising as it is the case when a man stop visiting their wife at her home, as it symbolizes he has divorce her and ran off with some other woman. First, in our culture, when you are married, you live with your partner until they both make the difficult decision to separate without surprising one another and leave them wondering as to what happened. Here, it is understood, that the husband doesn’t live at the marital house, so it is easier for them just to stop visiting as they have nothing to lose. People seem to be living at their own will and don’t take into consideration the other persons feelings and emotions. It is sad, because as a woman’s point of view, woman are being treated as objects that can be changed at any time a men desires, this is quite unfair because woman are being degraded; woman not only are hardworking, sensible and emotional, but full of brilliant ideas to succeed in life. It’s like the saying “next to a good man there is an amazing woman”.