Female Characters In Gilgamesh Essay

The role female characters played in the Epic of Gilgamesh was of a negative influence to the protagonist. In the Epic of Gilgamesh there were two female characters that have an effect on the story that change the course of the plot. This story isn’t very different from reality when it comes to women making their mark on the life of a male. Two females by the name of Ishtar and Shamhat are presented as a negative influence to the characters Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The role that these women have in the story creates a sense of manipulation and evilness that enhances them as an antagonist. Both female characters also had many differences between that contrast each other, as well as similarities they shared.
The female character Shamhat is introduced in the beginning of the epic and places a major role in the formation of Enkidu. While Ishtar has a smaller role, yet her actions lead to the death of Enkidu and is an obstacle to Gilgamesh quest. These two women also didn’t go after the same man in the story and had their own technique to try to seduce them. For example, Ishtar uses her own body and her hospitality to seduce Enkidu from a wild beast to a more civilize human. In table l it states how Shamhat uses her female attributes and hostility to get Enkidu to her “Shamhat loosed her garments, she expose her …show more content…
In the Epic of Gilgamesh both Ishtar and Shamhat had differences and similarities in their characters. Both female characters played a role in Enkidu and Gilgamesh by being a negative influence. While Ishtar and Shamhat lives in a male dominated society, they were able to have an impact in the life of the main characters. Although, they use different methods in trying to persuade their victims, they had the similar intentions. Even if Shamhat sexual method was more affected than Ishtar’s, both made an important negative influence to Gilgamesh and