The Beasts In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Once upon a time there was a small city located within the ancient Mesopotamian valley called Uruk where many creatures including human roamed the steppes. One of them was king, he called himself Gilgamesh that saw the world nothing but beasts that should be looked upon differently. One day Gilgamesh seeks upon these plateaus and finds a group of beasts that look nothing more than normal humans that walk on four legs instead of two. Enkidu, born and raised as a beast walks up on Gilgamesh proves him that they are better than what he can achieve. Enkidu loses against the so-called god, Gilgamesh then orders one of his temple prostitutes Shamhat to prove to Enkidu he should no longer roam the wildlands as a wild beast and should be tamed. “Go hunter, take with you Shamhat the harlot, When the wild beasts draw near the water hole, Let her strip off her clothing, laying bare her charms. When he sees her, he …show more content…
Shamhat is taken to a place where she lays down with Enkidu, opening her charm to a beast that is about to witness the biggest revision of his life. “Enkidu is partially civilized by a temple Shamhat, who seduces him and teaches him how to eat like a human being.” (The Epic of Gilgamesh 2) Shamhat shows Enkidu that not everyone who is born in the wild woods will remain a beast for eternity. She strips down in front of Enkidu, who for the first time in his life witnesses a sex play. After Enkidu is tamed for the better, he can finally roam the steppes of Ancient Mesopotamia with Gilgamesh feeling closer to him than he has ever been. Gilgamesh replies to Enkidu, “You are handsome, Enkidu, you are become like a god, why roam the steppe with wild beasts?” (Puchner 42) Enkidu eventually goes on adventures with Gilgamesh enjoying his time inquiring human powers to the best of his