World Literature Midterm
10/25/2013
The role of men and women has always been unique and different to every eye. Some may base their opinions off of own experiences and some may base theirs off of what they see or hear. Has it ever occurred to you why people, men and women, are different from each other? In time, the difference of roles for males and females hasn’t really changed much. The males are still considered more of the dominant gender of the two. Gilgamesh, Oedipus the King, and Achilles are all looked at as heroic warriors that use their intelligence and power to fulfill their quests. However, women still have tasks to accomplish and fulfill as well, but many people tend to push that aside due to the fact they feel those matters aren’t as important. In my opinion, the role of men and women can relate at times, yet be different as well.
As we read the story of Gilgamesh, we came to realize how strong of a leader and influence he was to those around him. “And who, like Gilgamesh, can proclaim, “I am King!”/ Gilgamesh was singled out from the day of his birth, / Two-thirds of him was divine, one-third of him was human!” ( The Epic of Gilgamesh 100) He was looked upon greatly by the people and thought of as a King who could not be replaced. The women in this story played not as powerful role or were not looked upon like Gilgamesh was. Shamhat was a prostitute of the temple in which she focused more on the refinements of culture. Another women was Siduri. Siduir, the goddess of wine- making and brewing, showed more of a nurturing side in which she was the one who comforted Gilgamesh when he was in his quest to find the answers to life and death. As you can see, the women had much more less stressful tasks unlike Gilgamesh who had the title of a warrior and ambitious builder to live up to.
Another great ruler that showed his valued qualities was Oedipus the King. Oedipus the King was a well-known ruler for his confidents with decision making and care for the people’s best
The role of men and women has always been unique and different to every eye. Some may base their opinions off of own experiences and some may base theirs off of what they see or hear. Has it ever occurred to you why people, men and women, are different from each other? In time, the difference of roles for males and females hasn’t really changed much. The males are still considered more of the dominant gender of the two. Gilgamesh, Oedipus the King, and Achilles are all looked at as heroic warriors that use their intelligence and power to fulfill their quests. However, women still have tasks to accomplish and fulfill as well, but many people tend to push that aside due to the fact they feel those matters aren’t as important. In my opinion, the role of men and women can relate at times, yet be different as well.
As we read the story of Gilgamesh, we came to realize how strong of a leader and influence he was to those around him. “And who, like Gilgamesh, can proclaim, “I am King!”/ Gilgamesh was singled out from the day of his birth, / Two-thirds of him was divine, one-third of him was human!” ( The Epic of Gilgamesh 100) He was looked upon greatly by the people and thought of as a King who could not be replaced. The women in this story played not as powerful role or were not looked upon like Gilgamesh was. Shamhat was a prostitute of the temple in which she focused more on the refinements of culture. Another women was Siduri. Siduir, the goddess of wine- making and brewing, showed more of a nurturing side in which she was the one who comforted Gilgamesh when he was in his quest to find the answers to life and death. As you can see, the women had much more less stressful tasks unlike Gilgamesh who had the title of a warrior and ambitious builder to live up to.
Another great ruler that showed his valued qualities was Oedipus the King. Oedipus the King was a well-known ruler for his confidents with decision making and care for the people’s best