The Relationship Between Ishtar and Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

The Relationship amid Ishtar and Gilgamesh in the Epic of GilgameshThe story of Gilgamesh seems to be a collection of trials and tribulation. end-to-end the book, you watch characters battle demons with each other, as well as deep down themselves. The tantalizing temptations that fill each character, ultimately leads to destruction and death. One slip was the relationship between Ishtar and Gilgamesh. Both characters display a type of arrogant, ego-consciousness (Neumann 63) that necessarily leads to subversive fate.In the beginning of the story we see Gilgamesh as a womanizer. His submissive behavior is driven by his own self-sufficiency. When Enkidu forces him to see the earth of his own vanity, Gilgamesh withdraws from his obsession and embarks on a new quest with Enkidu integrity that leave fill his other ego, his masculinity.After the slayig of the ferocious giant, Humbaba, Ishtar is filled with a lustful desire to betrothe him. When she approaches Gilgamesh, his new sen se of self-worth derails him from Ishtars seductive wiles. (Neumann 63)He replies hastily, insulting her of her past. Your lovers have open up you like a brazier which smoulders in the cold,...a castle which crushes the garrison,...a stone which waterfall from the parapet,...a sandal that trips the wearer.( pg.30) It is ironic that Gilgamesh finds her past to be so depictable after he pass years of womanizing for his own pleasure. Does he think that he is better than her because he has abandoned his old ways? He really hasnt changed at all. He is still filled with his ego-consciousness, just in a different form. As he goes on ridiculing Ishtar, his self-ego grows even more and once again will be punished for his actions. After this, Ishtar is filled with so much anger, penalise is all she can think of. Her ego has been crushed and she must amend it. So she sends down the Bull of Heaven which kills Enkidu and leaves scarring not only on the people but the Gods as well.