The Symbolism of Water as Power in Genesis, Exodus and Gilgamesh
The Symbolism of Water as Power in Genesis, Exodus and Gilgamesh
Water is a powerful symbol represented in even the most basic functions of life. From the nourishment of plants to the hydration of the human body, water sustains all of life on this planet. The first lines of Genesis even refer to water as a dark and powerful substance covering all of the earth. The image of water is also a powerful and thematic literary tool that authors and orators alike have utilized for thousands of years. In literature, the image of water can be a strong technique used to support a work’s theme. This can especially be seen in classic literature such as Gilgamesh and Genesis and Exodus of the Bible. In these works the image of water is used to support the theme of power. This concept of a relationship between water and power can be seen quite frequently within these texts. In Gilgamesh, the image of water supports the theme of power in various occasions, such as the journey to Hawawa, an assortment of images of the cleansing of the body and Gilgamesh’s trip to the afterlife. In Genesis and Exodus, stories such as the creation of the earth, the great flood and the ‘exodus’ of the Jewish slave people from Egypt also use water to thematically represent power. All three of these ancient works would not have sustained or represented the theme of power quite so effectively if not for the image of water. The work of Gilgamesh first introduces the image of water when Enkidu “visits the watering places with the creatures whose hearts delights, as his delights, in water” (5). Enkidu was created by the gods as a power player meant to humble and contend with Gilgamesh, the “stormy heart,” thus making Enkidu a symbol of power. The repetition of the “watering place” is extremely significant in creating an instant correlation between Enkidu and water—and therefore our first connection between water and power. As Enkidu and Gilgamesh journey to Huwawa, the monster god of the forest,
Water is a powerful symbol represented in even the most basic functions of life. From the nourishment of plants to the hydration of the human body, water sustains all of life on this planet. The first lines of Genesis even refer to water as a dark and powerful substance covering all of the earth. The image of water is also a powerful and thematic literary tool that authors and orators alike have utilized for thousands of years. In literature, the image of water can be a strong technique used to support a work’s theme. This can especially be seen in classic literature such as Gilgamesh and Genesis and Exodus of the Bible. In these works the image of water is used to support the theme of power. This concept of a relationship between water and power can be seen quite frequently within these texts. In Gilgamesh, the image of water supports the theme of power in various occasions, such as the journey to Hawawa, an assortment of images of the cleansing of the body and Gilgamesh’s trip to the afterlife. In Genesis and Exodus, stories such as the creation of the earth, the great flood and the ‘exodus’ of the Jewish slave people from Egypt also use water to thematically represent power. All three of these ancient works would not have sustained or represented the theme of power quite so effectively if not for the image of water. The work of Gilgamesh first introduces the image of water when Enkidu “visits the watering places with the creatures whose hearts delights, as his delights, in water” (5). Enkidu was created by the gods as a power player meant to humble and contend with Gilgamesh, the “stormy heart,” thus making Enkidu a symbol of power. The repetition of the “watering place” is extremely significant in creating an instant correlation between Enkidu and water—and therefore our first connection between water and power. As Enkidu and Gilgamesh journey to Huwawa, the monster god of the forest,