Gilgamesh And Ishtak Essay

Although there are a lot of cultural differences between Greek and Mesopotamian mythology, they share a similar commonality regarding the power dynamics between the gods and humankind. In The Iliad and The Epic of Gilgamesh, the discrepancy in terms of power between them is especially evident considering the capabilities of the gods in comparison to the powerless mortals. Human beings do not have free will and are confined under the power and authority over the gods, whether it be directly or indirectly. By gaining the favor of the gods or being disgraced by them can produce different effects and essentially, influence the process of fate. Through the examination of the relationship between Gilgamesh and Ishtar as well as the connection between …show more content…
Therefore, they are able to act and do as they please without any restrictions. Clearly, the relationship between Achilles and Zeus provides insight on the relationship between the gods and human beings in which the gods have an overwhelming and restrictive amount of authority and power over them, which prevents any free will. Another relationship that provides some insight on the power dynamics between the gods and humankind is the relationship between Gilgamesh and Ishtar. Similar to the unbalanced power dynamics in The Epic of Gilgamesh, there was also an unjust power distribution between them. After Gilgamesh came back from his expedition and finished murdering Humbaba, the goddess of love and sex, Ishtar offered him a marriage proposal as well as wealth and power. Gilgamesh rejected her and then proceeded to insult her by commenting on how her other human lovers experienced a dire fate from being involved with her. He listed the lovers she harmed by discussing how Tammuz, the shepherd became captive of the underworld, how she turned another shepherd into a bird with damaged wings and incapable of flight, and so on. He finished his long rant by saying, “As for me, now that you’ve fallen in love with me, you will treat me like them!” …show more content…
Gilgamesh was the King of Uruk and meant to worship and respect her, yet his actions proved otherwise. Due to his blunt honesty and pure disregard towards her, she tried to retaliate against him, especially since gods and goddesses were not restrained or restricted under morality. When gods and goddesses experience volatile emotions, they will act out and engage in destructive actions since piety and obedience is so important to them. Due to Gilgamesh’s actions, it seemed as if he was challenging her authority and position. So, Ishtar as a goddess scorned, she sought revenge. Ishtar became so enraged that she demanded her father, Anu and mother, Antum to give her the Bull of Heaven so that she can punish Gilgamesh for his insulting remarks and wounding her pride. Ishtar released the Bull of Heaven in Uruk and caused havoc and destruction to bestow upon the city of Uruk. Despite the turbulence and power of the Bull of Heaven, Gilgamesh and Enkidu managed to catch it. Enkidu attacked the bull and grabbed it by the tail, while Gilgamesh killed it by stabbed his sword in between the bull’s shoulders. Their murder infuriated Ishtar even more. At this moment, Gilgamesh should have sacrificed the hind leg as an offering and apologized for