Women's Defined Role

            After reading Harris’s analysis of the The Epic of Gilgamesh, I believe that women in the epic are only depicted positively if they are nurturing and motherly, while independent women are looked down upon. Shamhat and Ninsun are both motherly figures that are represented as good characters, while Ishtar is insulted for seeking Gilgamesh for marriage.

The first woman that one encounters in the story is the prostitute, Shamhat. When she is introduced, she is told by the trapper, “spread your clothing so that [Enkidu] may lie on you, / do for the man the work of a woman” (Gilg. I.184). Even though this first appearance of Shamhat is sexist, she is shown positively when she teaches Enkidu how to become human. Near Enkidu’s death, and after Shamash reminds him or Shamhat’s deeds, Enkidu praises her. Gilgamesh’s mother, Ninsun, is also shown in a positive light as a motherly figure, as when Gilgamesh says, “Ninsun is clever and wise, well versed in everything” (Gilg. I.288). At several points in the story, Ninsun helps Gilgamesh as a mother, and she is regarded positively for it.

            Many women that do not fit into the motherly role in The Epic of Gilgamesh are not given much notice. Harris mentions several of the female characters that are not given much attention are not shown as nurturing or motherly in the story. These include the scorpion-man’s mate and Aruru, who creates Enkidu, but does not interact with him in a motherly way.

            Ishtar breaks the conventional role of a woman in the epic, and attempt to court Gilgamesh. She is scolded for being doing independent acts, such as having several husbands over her lifetime. She provides a contrast to other women in the epic, and helps show that ancient Mesopotamians only view women in a positive light if they act in a motherly way and nurture others.