The story of Giglamesh doesn’t seem to have a particular female love interest as most of the other stories read in class however; one can tell the idea of a female’s love plays a key part in the epic. After all in the beginning Enkidu becomes civilized after laying with a harlot. And then Giglamesh and Enkidus troubles begin with Ishtar the goddess of love.
In he story of Gilgamesh I found one part extremely interesting. That part in particular is when Gilgamesh returns from the cedar forest with Humbabas head. Looking at this great victory Ishtar the goddess of love seems to find an instant attraction to him. She then asks to be his bride. Something I thought was quite interesting seeing she is a goddess. In return Gilgamesh replies
“…your lovers have found you like a brazier which smoulders in the cold, a backdoor which keeps out neither squall of wind nor storm…and if I you and I should be lovers, should not I be served in the same fashion as all these others whom you loved once?”
I think this part intrigued me the most because although Ishtar is a goddess Gilgamesh is not only rejecting her but talking down to her. Even though she is the goddess of love. Rejecting Ishtar’s love then becomes the turning point for the story ending in Enkidus death. Denying Ishtar love ends with Enkidu life and yet laying with a woman is what really brought him to a civilized life. That was just one thing I noticed in the story that captured my interest.
