Uruk was
on of the oldest Sumerian City state, where “Gilgamesh Epic” originated.Here we
see the love between Enkidu,the wild man & Shamhat,a temple prostitute.For
instance, in one erotic scene, Shamhat tames Enkidu through her love-arts.The
scene opens with Shamhat positioning herself on the forest floor and Enkidu
warily drawing near, perhaps afraid or even intimidated by her bold stature.
The narrative then describes how Shamhat boldly initiates the encounter:
"He
drew close, Shamhat touched him on the thigh,
touched
his manhood and put him inside her.
She used
her love-arts, she took his breath with
her kisses,
held
nothing back, and showed him what a
woman is " (Gilgamesh 78)
’courtship
of Inanna and Dumuzi’ also originated at
the same city,Uruk.We have already seen one of such poem "Last night as I,
the Queen, was shining bright," earlier.Now we will see another
poem.Before that we will analyse the scene where it occurred.
A young at
heart Inanna & Dumuzi who fall in love and their courtship leads to their
union as husband and wife. Which becomes an annual event through out the
region. The ancient text also give the modern audience an insight of ancient
sexuality,
The story
begins with Geshtinanna, Dumuzi sister, after meeting Inanna and being invited
to her house. She tells him of Inanna’s delight of his appearance and desire to
meet him. Dumuzi meet her at the
courtyard and attempted to lure Inanna away from her dwelling and family so he
can seduce her.Inanna desire to be at home and weary of being late home.So he
tell her to tell fibs by spending time with a female friend playing music and
singing, which was so sweet that time went by.So Dumuzi can spread a clean and
sweet couch and pass time with her in joy and plenty.After their first encounter,
Inanna is in love with Dumuzi as the man of her heart. Thus the process of
their union commences.
Inanna
spoke:
"My beloved, the delight of my eyes, met me.
We rejoiced together. He took his pleasure of me.
He brought me into his house.
He laid me down on the fragrant honey-bed.
My sweet love, lying by my heart,
Tongue-playing, one by one,
My fair Dumuzi did so fifty times.
Now, my sweet love is sated.
Now he
says:
'Set me free, my sister, set me free.
You will be a little daughter to my father.
Come, my beloved sister, I
would go to the palace.
Set me free."
PART :32 WILL FOLLOW IN NEXT WEEK
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