Throughout almost all of literature, fictional and nonfictional, women have been treated as property. A mere prize to claim during wars, they were mindless bed-warmers, a man’s simple-minded play thing; however let’s not focus on the sexism of literature, that’s all old and repetitive news. Instead, let’s center our attention on the idea of how powerful (even when being portrayed as average) the female really is, how vital their roles are in the tales of heroes. Unfortunately though we will not have time to examine all pieces of literature, this paper will only focus on the roles and archetypes of women in the Epic of Gilgamesh along with their importance throughout its literary work. Yes, every woman (divine and human alike) are viewed merely
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The mother gives the hero caring love and nurtures him. The Temptress archetype is the hero’s test of giving in or overcoming his challenges. Although none of these women will ever go through character development they’re still vital to the hero on his travels, developing as a ruler and a man himself. The notion that females were important in this ancient work of literature is far fetched but plausible if looking below the surface. After having a closer look examining each role does one not get a sense of the empowerment radiating from each action of our ladies? Of course, it is obvious throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh that men are the main controllers of power (such as Gilgamesh himself) but it is their ‘mere’ female counterparts that persuade the men from stopping king Gilgamesh to helping the king. From beginning to end, indirectly and directly the role of woman is of great significance in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The story may not be written to develop themselves, they may not hold any remarkable qualities (excluding the divine Ninsun), and they may not be the heroes but these women help set the foundation of the story for Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Often kicked to the dirt and downplayed the role of woman still stands in triumph and
The mother gives the hero caring love and nurtures him. The Temptress archetype is the hero’s test of giving in or overcoming his challenges. Although none of these women will ever go through character development they’re still vital to the hero on his travels, developing as a ruler and a man himself. The notion that females were important in this ancient work of literature is far fetched but plausible if looking below the surface. After having a closer look examining each role does one not get a sense of the empowerment radiating from each action of our ladies? Of course, it is obvious throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh that men are the main controllers of power (such as Gilgamesh himself) but it is their ‘mere’ female counterparts that persuade the men from stopping king Gilgamesh to helping the king. From beginning to end, indirectly and directly the role of woman is of great significance in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The story may not be written to develop themselves, they may not hold any remarkable qualities (excluding the divine Ninsun), and they may not be the heroes but these women help set the foundation of the story for Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Often kicked to the dirt and downplayed the role of woman still stands in triumph and