Erika Costa
Erika Costa
CLT3378: Essay 1
Battle of the Gods vs. Goddesses: Enuma Elish and Baal Cycle
Collectively, epics of creation are well known for the world gradually going through the change from being completely chaotic to fairly and orderly. Looking specifically at Enuma Elish and the Ugaritic Baal Cycle, each depicts female and male gods in particular and unique ways. In successfully contrasting the males and females in these works, similarities are also therefore notably highlighted throughout the works. Both epics tell their story and characterize the gods and goddesses’ as ones who are extremely powerful and violent, principally the male gods, as well as the female and male “pairs” in the creations. Parallel to this, differences are highlighted in the acquiring of their titles as almighty ones, as well as their traits and roles.
First and foremost, is it established early on in both the Enuma Elish and the Baal Cycle that both the female and male gods are both given exquisite traits of determination to stand up for their beliefs and family, while also being violent and strong. As stated, a lot of these traits become more visible when the gods are seen fighting for what their beliefs and when fighting to defend someone close and dear to them. Ea, the male trickster god from the Enuma Elish is a perfect example of embodying these traits and putting forth actions that reveal his character. Upon overhearing that the freshwater god Apsu is scheming to kill other gods, Ea decides to sneak into where Apsu is sleeping and secretly leads him to sleep. Continuing on with his masterful plan, Ea goes and constructs his palace directly on top the dead body. We can therefore assume from these specific instances that male gods are persistent and are willing to do whatever it takes and go to whichever lengths necessary to reach their goals and desires. The Enuma Elish is the Babylonian creation poem that begins in a universal formless state representing how the world was
CLT3378: Essay 1
Battle of the Gods vs. Goddesses: Enuma Elish and Baal Cycle
Collectively, epics of creation are well known for the world gradually going through the change from being completely chaotic to fairly and orderly. Looking specifically at Enuma Elish and the Ugaritic Baal Cycle, each depicts female and male gods in particular and unique ways. In successfully contrasting the males and females in these works, similarities are also therefore notably highlighted throughout the works. Both epics tell their story and characterize the gods and goddesses’ as ones who are extremely powerful and violent, principally the male gods, as well as the female and male “pairs” in the creations. Parallel to this, differences are highlighted in the acquiring of their titles as almighty ones, as well as their traits and roles.
First and foremost, is it established early on in both the Enuma Elish and the Baal Cycle that both the female and male gods are both given exquisite traits of determination to stand up for their beliefs and family, while also being violent and strong. As stated, a lot of these traits become more visible when the gods are seen fighting for what their beliefs and when fighting to defend someone close and dear to them. Ea, the male trickster god from the Enuma Elish is a perfect example of embodying these traits and putting forth actions that reveal his character. Upon overhearing that the freshwater god Apsu is scheming to kill other gods, Ea decides to sneak into where Apsu is sleeping and secretly leads him to sleep. Continuing on with his masterful plan, Ea goes and constructs his palace directly on top the dead body. We can therefore assume from these specific instances that male gods are persistent and are willing to do whatever it takes and go to whichever lengths necessary to reach their goals and desires. The Enuma Elish is the Babylonian creation poem that begins in a universal formless state representing how the world was