Women in Sappho and Gilgamesh - 1967 Words

Women in Sappho and Gilgamesh Works of literature are cultural reflections of the time and place in which they were created. At the times of the creation of the poems of Sappho and the Epic of Gilgamesh, women were primarily seen and little heard, unless they happened to be one of the ancient deities of that culture. Women were wives and mothers of children and their position in society was based on subservience to the patriarchy who were in charge in all things. Although women could achieve some power in the community, and several women were able to obtain political power, it was usually only possible through the alliances that they made through their marriages, such as if they married a powerful man who then died. In both Sapphos work and The Epic of Gilgamesh the women characters which are marginally empowered and instead have to submit to will and authority of the men who control every aspect of their lives. Both types illustrate how women are meant to suffer at the hands of men, how women compare themselves to men, and finally how there is no place for an autonomous woman in the cultures in which these women live and how they might ache to escape. In the ancient world, there were laws and traditions which helped keep women in the communities completely subordinate to men. The Epic of Gilgamesh reflects this in the discussion of the eponymous character taking advantage of young women on their wedding nights. Gilgamesh has not been a king who has done right by hisShow MoreRelatedThe Nature Of Love And Relationships Across The Many Works We Studied For This Course1942 Words   |  8 Pageswere written. For example, Sappho wrote extensively about same-sex romantic love between women. â€Å"What is still unclear is what same-sex romantic or erotic love between women may have implied in Sappho s culture. What we do know is that there was not widespread fear and persecution of homosexuals in antiquity† (Hare). Sappho wrote in Poem 94, â€Å"I simply want to be dead. Weeping she left me with many tears and said this: Oh how badly things have turned out for us. Sappho, I swear, against my willRead MoreHistory 101 Study Guid e Essay1782 Words   |  8 PagesWhat are the triangular indentations used for the script of the Sumerians called?[pic] Cuneiform[pic] Who was Gilgamesh, and which city did he rule?[pic] Gilgamesh was the King of Uruk. His reputation inspired the Epic of Gilgamesh/5th king of Uruk(2500 BC), reigned 126 yrs/lugal â€Å"big man†(leader) wealthy young man, warrior [pic]Which technologies were used by the earliest Western civilizations? [pic] Stone, wood, leather, and fibers[pic]/ 1st appearance of tools (bone, woodRead MoreQuestion and Correct Answer7042 Words   |  29 Pagesto create?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: |   Ã‚   Larger and more lightweight bronze pieces | Correct Answer: |   Ã‚   Larger and more lightweight bronze pieces | | | | | ï‚ · Question 3 2 out of 2 points | | | What classic struggle do Gilgamesh and Enkidu represent?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: |   Ã‚   Nature versus civilization | Correct Answer: |   Ã‚   Nature versus civilization | | | | | ï‚ · Question 4 2 out of 2 points | | | What is the Persian Zoroasters greatest contributionRead MoreCatal Hyuk2725 Words   |  11 PagesLascaux Cave Paintings Neolithic Revolution Agricultural Revolution MAP: Olduvai Gorge Neander Valley Catal Huyluk Lascaux CHAPTER TWO: Early Societies in SW Asia and Indo-European Migrations IDENTITIES: The Epic of Gilgamesh Sargon of Akkad Hammurabi’s Codes/Laws Stele Assyrians Economic Specialization Stratified Patriarchal Society Elite, Commoner, Dependent, Slave Cuneiform Moses Polytheism Cross-Cultural Interaction Cross-Cultural