ISHTAR:
1. Is portrayed three different ways: first, as a spoiled, bratty goddess who is used to getting her way and her men ; second, as an innocent soon-to-be bride; third, as a brave woman.
2. Has an obvious connection to Jesus Christ when she is in the Underworld and is “hung on a hook,” as Christ was hung on the cross.
3. Is there a connection between Gilgamesh and Dumuzi, the “shepherd-god?” In the Epic of Gilgamesh, he is said to be the “shepherd of Uruk’s flocks.” If this was true, then the stories would differ, wouldn’t they? Because in The Sacred Marriage, Ishtar marries Dumuzi, but in the Epic, Gilgamesh vehemently rejects Ishtar.
4. If you recall our Shamhat discussion several days ago, you'll remember that we were arguing about whether she was a slut or a priestess. It seems to me that if you assume the former, then Shamhat and Ishtar from the Epic have a lot in common. They both try to seduce famous, strong men. But then again, they also have many differences. For example, it says in the Epic that Gilgamesh says Shamhat is a "fine lover," while he tells Ishtar that she is the opposite: a tease and destructive of all that she touches.
1. Is portrayed three different ways: first, as a spoiled, bratty goddess who is used to getting her way and her men ; second, as an innocent soon-to-be bride; third, as a brave woman.
2. Has an obvious connection to Jesus Christ when she is in the Underworld and is “hung on a hook,” as Christ was hung on the cross.
3. Is there a connection between Gilgamesh and Dumuzi, the “shepherd-god?” In the Epic of Gilgamesh, he is said to be the “shepherd of Uruk’s flocks.” If this was true, then the stories would differ, wouldn’t they? Because in The Sacred Marriage, Ishtar marries Dumuzi, but in the Epic, Gilgamesh vehemently rejects Ishtar.
4. If you recall our Shamhat discussion several days ago, you'll remember that we were arguing about whether she was a slut or a priestess. It seems to me that if you assume the former, then Shamhat and Ishtar from the Epic have a lot in common. They both try to seduce famous, strong men. But then again, they also have many differences. For example, it says in the Epic that Gilgamesh says Shamhat is a "fine lover," while he tells Ishtar that she is the opposite: a tease and destructive of all that she touches.
5. I wonder whether Ishtar truly wanted Gilgamesh for a husband or if she just saw him as another appealing piece for her collection. It seems to me that if she actually fell for anyone, it would be him: or if she isn't capable of actual love, then she would want him the most: he's definitely portrayed as the ultimate prize.
6. If Ishtar is supposed to be the goddess of love, then why doesn't she seem to be capable of it herself? Gilgamesh calls her a tease, and the way she is shown in the Epic definitely supports that. But in the poem The Descent of Ishtar, she is once again the picture-perfect goddess of love. Perhaps the Epic only shows her warlike tendencies.
7. I feel like the Epic is definitely showing us what a male-dominant society Ancient Mesopotamia was. Even if we assume that Shamhat was a priestess, they're still showing women from a definite male point of view. Ishtar is everything bad we've heard about women from men, "tease," "seductive," "destructive," "irresistable," etc.
Mr. Morgan, I have no idea how long these should be, so I'm going to stop here so I don't have to start forcing my ideas.
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