The Epic of Gilgamesh: Themes of Art, Death, Eroticism, and Kingship

Nature and Art in The Epic of Gilgamesh:

The Epic of Gilgamesh presents abstract themes of art that can be related to the Ancient Near East. For instance, the book shows the impact of nature on the daily lives of humans. People were often affected by naturally-existing factors within their environment. The book outlines primitive descriptions of Enkidu before he became acquainted with Gilgamesh. Enkidu was notably created from “red clay and lived among the desert dunes.” His head was filled with luxuriant hair while he fed on grass along with wild animals.

Enkidu’s intense interaction with nature reflected how art forms were usually formulated. Many pieces of art were created to show the deep level of interaction between humans and their natural environment. Sculptures from ancient Greece were renowned for their depiction of the human body. Nudes were often sculpted to highlight the composition and makeup of human bodies. Therefore, the book uses the experiences of Enkidu to outline the relationship between art and nature.

Death and Immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh:

Another theme of art contained in the book involves discussions surrounding death. Human societies were predominantly occupied with the occurrence of life after death. The book depicted dead souls as desperately trapped, while the underworld was described as dangerous and pitch-black. The Epic of Gilgamesh discussed death when Enkidu and Gilgamesh killed the Bull of Heaven and when Gilgamesh struck Humbaba (Mittman 45). Gilgamesh was distressed upon the death of Enkidu and behaved like a mad individual. Despite his best efforts, Gilgamesh was unable to find a way of escaping death. Art forms in Ancient Greece often explored the concept of death and human immortality. Different theories concerning the underworld were portrayed in creative art forms. Consequently, death was a prominent theme of art contained in the book. The prominent factor in gaining and losing Enkidu portraits is art for society because it was his birth and death that gave art to the story itself.

Eroticism in The Epic of Gilgamesh:

Eroticism was prevalent in the book as a contemporary theme of art. In fact, sex was depicted as an instinctive and emotional practice that contributed to a person’s mortality. Sex contributed to mortality since it differentiated humans and so-called Mesopotamian gods. Humans who engaged in sex lost the prospect of gaining immortality since the act was viewed with disdain. The goddess Ishtar used sex to guide Gilgamesh and direct his actions. Artists in Ancient Greece endeavored to depict sex through erotic paintings and sculptures. Nude sculptures were made the basis of idealism in Classical Greek culture. Paintings of virgins portrayed chastity, while other pieces of work condemned depravity by depicting orgies. Hence, the book’s discussion of sex identifies eroticism as a significant theme of art.

Kingship and Society in The Epic of Gilgamesh:

The Epic of Gilgamesh provides tremendous insight into the role of kingship and society in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia. In the tale, the people are quite disappointed in their leader since they feel that Gilgamesh is irresponsible. Despite the king’s actions, the people reasoned that “yet the king should be a shepherd to his people.” In this manner, the story shows that Sumerian kings were expected to act as spiritual guides to safeguard the interests of their subjects. Gilgamesh acted contrary to the expectations placed upon responsible Sumerian leaders. For instance, he demonstrated unbridled lust by accumulating wives for himself. Gilgamesh satisfied his primal desires at the expense of his subjects. His lack of decency appalled the people of Uruk and alienated sincere subjects. Consequently, kingship was considered a form of spiritual guidance.

The kingship was viewed as an instrument designed to protect citizens from military threats. Gilgamesh was respected as a powerful warrior responsible for protecting his kingdom from invaders and would-be usurpers. Hence, the kingship was a symbol of security and protection for the people of Uruk. Notably, the story depicted consultations between Gilgamesh and several counselors. Before embarking on a journey through a jungle, “the Counselors of Uruk; the great market, answered him.” The kingship was meant to be exercised using the input from counselors in Uruk. Gilgamesh was obligated to listen to the advice from counselors. Consultations were necessary for creating good relationships among people. The counselors of Uruk were responsible for checking the king’s power and protecting vulnerable members of the population from harm.

In addition, the role of kingship and society was portrayed with regard to the clearing of the forest. Gilgamesh acted decisively to provide land that his people would use to grow crops and build settlements. The story describes how “Gilgamesh felled the first trees of the forest Enkidu and cleared their roots as far as the banks of the Euphrates.” Rulers in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia could expand their domains while seeking to provide basic needs for their citizens. The concept of architecture was reflected in the book since “the Uruk architects and engineers also developed and used an early form of mold-cast concrete for load-bearing walls.” Consequently, both the story and the book show the input of leaders with respect to building and construction. This is where the building and the construction that are described in this book are dynamic. The city is clearly described as heavenly not only at the beginning of this book but also at the end of the book.

The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays human society through extensive discussions of culture and religion. Descriptions of Enkidu and Gilgamesh reveal the prominence of masculine identities. Gender classifications were quite evident in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia. In this respect, an individual could never qualify for kingship or leadership if the person failed to manifest strength through masculinity. Women were considered inferior to men since the former used rational instinct and emotion while making basic decisions. The goddess Ishtar was portrayed as an abnormality due to her reliance on mental processes. In fact, her divine nature was responsible for attributing honor and reverence to Gilgamesh.

Indeed, The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays the important roles of kingship and society in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia. The book outlined themes of art, such as sex, death, and nature, using the life experiences of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Ishtar. The people of Uruk expected Sumerian kings to act as spiritual shepherds, valiant protectors, and reliable providers. Furthermore, the book highlights the prominence that was attributed to masculinity and strength. Women were despised for basing their decisions on emotion and sentiment. 

References:

1. Haubold, Johannes. (2015). "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Oxford University Press.

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