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In Defense Of Ishtar's The Gilgamesh Epic

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"The Gilgamesh Epic" is one of the oldest surviving works of literature, originating from ancient Mesopotamia. Within this epic, Tablet 6 stands out as a pivotal moment where Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, proposes to Gilgamesh, the hero-king. However, Gilgamesh's refusal of Ishtar's advances sets off a chain of events that reveal profound insights into the human condition, power dynamics, and the nature of divinity. In Tablet 6, Ishtar approaches Gilgamesh with a proposition, offering herself as a bride and promising him wealth and power in return for his love. Ishtar's proposal is not merely a romantic advance, but a strategic move to secure Gilgamesh's favor and elevate her own status. As the goddess of love and war, Ishtar embodies both passion and power, and …show more content…

His refusal is not born out of fear or ignorance, but rather from a place of wisdom and self-preservation. Gilgamesh recognizes Ishtar's volatile nature and understands the potential consequences of aligning himself too closely with her. He acknowledges the transient nature of Ishtar's affections, recognizing that her promises of wealth and power are ephemeral and ultimately empty. The interaction between Ishtar and Gilgamesh in Tablet 6 explores several recurring themes throughout the epic, including the limits of human ambition, the precarious balance of power between mortals and gods, and the consequences of defying divine authority. Ishtar's proposal symbolizes the temptations and pitfalls of worldly desires, while Gilgamesh's refusal reflects the importance of maintaining integrity and autonomy in the face of such temptations. Furthermore, Ishtar's reaction to Gilgamesh's rejection exposes her vindictive and capricious nature. Enraged by Gilgamesh's refusal, Ishtar unleashes her wrath upon him by sending the Bull of Heaven to wreak havoc upon the city of

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Tablet VI of The Epic of Gilgamesh helps to give insight into Gilgamesh’s state of mind. His refusal to marry Ishtar comes after he and Enkidu have just slayed Humbaba, and he is feeling as powerful as his figurative immortality allows. His resolve that marrying would be bad for him can be seen as him trying not to lose his childish sense of adventure. In a sense he would be forced to group up through marriage, and would have to care for some other than just himself. The promises Ishtar gives Gilgamesh for marriage show her trying to please him through material needs that would help to further his apparent vanity.

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However, this leads to the epitome of childish behavior from the divine goddess Ishtar when she makes advances at Gilgamesh and is insulted by him about her treatment of past lovers and she goes to her father Anu and request the mighty bull of heaven so she may “… kill Gilgamesh on his home ground” (64). Since Gilgamesh is merely a man modern beliefs would indicate he would not prevail, but by joining forces with Enkidu they dispatch the bull easily. Though Anu conceded and gave Ishtar the bull only after her pleading he changes his opinion of Enkidu and Gilgamesh and he decides that one of them must die. Shamash the god who originally sent the two to slay Humbaba which ultimately resulted in Ishtar wanting to be with Gilgamesh defends the pair and is accused by Enlil of being their friend and not a

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