Essay Example on Gilgamesh: Gender Roles & Peace in Uruk City

Introduction

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a narration about Gilgamesh who serves as the Priest-King of Uruk City. Furthermore, he is known to be an authoritarian king who takes what he wants from his people as well as working them to death. Nonetheless, Gilgamesh uses women as he pleases and kills young men at will. As a consequence, in order to have long-lasting peace, the people cry out to the gods for assistance. Therefore, this paper will principally focus on the role of gender particularly similarities or differences in The Epic of Gilgamesh, ancient Egyptian poems, and Hebrew Bible readings.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Similarities and Differences in the Role of Gender in the Three Texts

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, gender plays a crucial role since there are different roles played by men and women. Similarly, without women who show great feminine qualities and strength regardless of being oppressed by the aspects of patriarchy, then Gilgamesh would not have managed to become the great king. Unlike ancient Egyptian poems that consider women to be equal as men, in the story Epic of Gilgamesh, the status of women is elaborated. Particularly, women are considered to be less powerful and less important in comparison to men.

Conversely, it is apparent from the story that women are influential and extremely important characters who drive the story principally due to their womanly qualities. On the other hand, men time and again use women to advance themselves irrespective of the outcome for the females. Nevertheless, one of the females pointed out at the beginning of the story in the Epic of Gilgamesh is Shamhat, a prostitute taken to tame as well as lure Enkidu by using her womanly ways (George, 8).

Additionally, in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Hebrew Bible readings, the male gender role is perceived to be more obvious and more prompt in terms of recognition. Particularly, the role of Gilgamesh is predominately about strength and supremacy as well as who is more powerful. The first individual who is perceived to be the most powerful is God Anu; however, women significant roles compared to men, especially Ninsun, who is the mother to Gilgamesh (George, 10). Correspondingly, she plays the role of a caring and loving mother as well as the intelligent counselor who provides guidance.

In the Hebrew Bible, patriarchy is dominant as a result of roles allocated to men and women. Moreover, there are verses in the bible, for example, Genesis 3:16 refer to husbands as rulers or leaders. However, women are perceived to be subordinate and submissive to men. Nonetheless, the main occupations for men, particularly in the ancient Israelite society were a warrior, being an artisan, for instance, potters, textile worker, or carpenter. Conversely, the role of women was principally within the household.

On the other hand, according to ancient Egyptian poems, women in ancient Egypt were treated equally just like men except for occupations. Men and women were equal in nearly all fields, excluding jobs. Also, men ran the government and managed farms whereas women assumed different roles such as managing the house, cooking, and sewing. Nonetheless, men held positions of authority for instance governor, general and king. Even though men were considered as household heads, women exercised independence and considerable power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that there are similarities and differences specifically, the roles played by men and women in the three texts. Nonetheless, women are largely perceived to be inferior compared to men in terms of the roles played by each of them. Even though men are regarded as wise, superior and powerful women are also capable of competing with men in all spheres of life.

Works Cited

George, Andrew. "The epic of Gilgamesh. A new translation." (1999). Accessed on 18th September 2019 from http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/1604/1/Gilg%20I-III.pdf