Illustration: Enkidu enters Uruk
The priests of Ishtar were sometimes transsexual, dressing and behaving as women do; such behavior wasn’t considered abnormal in many ancient societies. And indeed it isn’t; in Frans de Waal’s Different, we discover that transsexual and homosexual behavior is nothing if not commonplace in our closest primate relatives. We come by it honestly.
Ignorance is bliss, however; and as in Gilgamesh’s (literally) merciless persecution of Humbaba, we see that it is somehow also, distressingly, a natural state for human beings to wage war on things they don’t properly understand.
His transsexual identity is revealed when Enkidu tears Shamhat’s dress in two and wears it into the city. The implies an ambiguity of our essence, the idea that it has both a male and a female nature from the outset.
It’s said that naked Enkidu Tore Shamhat’s dress in half Half as a woman, half as man He entered the city of Uruk Where Gilgamesh was undisputed king And Enkidu did not know how bread was baked, Had never even tasted beer— They taught him to eat and drink— They shaved his body, washed him in the sink He fought lions just to whet his appetite Until he heard of Gilgamesh’s fabled might How he took new brides each night How he conquered I am Gilgamesh the powerful My sword is long— Bring me your virgin girls, Bring wine and song Enkidu sharpened both his eyes and spear. Prepared himself to fight He stood before the King To block the wedding door, Gilgamesh bared his teeth Like the tusks of a raging a wild boar Like two bulls they ran together, Clashed and broke the door The city shook trembled With the thunder of their roar ’Til Gilgamesh let go his prey— For he saw that Enkidu his equal was, in every way And Enkidu held Gilgamesh’s arm on high: He is the greatest warrior- The mighty bull of Ishtar He will never die! Gilgamesh felt currents move into his soul and bones: Enkidu, with you, my friend, I’ll never be alone. Thus was the bond between the two men sealed A sacred friendship sanctioned by the Gods With much yet to be revealed
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