Comparing Gilgamesh And Tao-Te Ching

I will not try to be an expert on female roles in countries I have never been to with histories I have fragmented information about, because it would be immoral to feign being something I am not. Although, I do have the experience of being a woman who has access and knowledge of the texts being discussed, The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Tao Te Ching. I do see myself, personally, as a feminist and yet there are many topics I am inclined to disagree with included in these texts, but I do think there is something more than a common view of women’s lack of status and power in these texts. Given this perspective, I personally believe the text trying to prove women are just as vital in society as males, but are often construed as subordinate when in

the yin and yang; being and nonbeing; long and short; and man and women of course). Taoism sees man and women as opposites, but equally important to create balance. Such a balance is portrayed by the idea of the child--something so pure coming from to opposing things coming together in harmony. As shown in poem 55 where it is written, “Ignorant of the intercourse of man and woman, yet the baby penis is erect. True and perfect energy!” (Lao Tzu 1998 2:55) Taoism is reiterating that the very act of intercourse involves both a man and woman equally contributing--although the actual pregnancy is contributed mostly by the female. The Tao Te Ching also outright agrees with my idea that woman have some sacred power that men do not.“To give birth, to nourish, to bear and not to own, to act and not lay claim, to lead and not to rule:this is mysterious power.” (Lao Tzu 1998 1:10) It also stems with the unique idea that women being seen as inferior to men actually are leading without being the ruler/head of house. In a way it follows the common phrase, “the man might be the head, but the woman is the neck and can turn the head anyway she choses”.Taoism seems to agree with this statement, but only in terms of sexual relations. “By stillness the woman may always dominate the man, lying quiet underneath him” (Lao Tzu 1998 2:61) I think this is accurate to preceding cultural views of the necessity of women partaking in child rearing. In contemporary society that may be less true given more general acceptance adoption and of the gay community, but this is coming only from an American perspective about how these texts help relay the human experience. Obviously relaying the human experience isn’t easy, which the Tao Te Ching touches upon. “The valley spirit never dies. Call it the mystery, the woman. The mystery, the Door of the Woman, is the root of earth and heaven. Forever this endures,