After they finally succeed in their mission, Gilgamesh cleans up and acquires his image of attractive king. The goddess Ishtar desires him and asks him to lay with her. We can see how love makes us all do crazy things and take mistaken conclusions when he rejects her proposal and points out her previous love experiences and the unfortunate destiny of her lovers, and she reacts violently. She requests the bull of heaven to punish Gilgamesh. It is killed by Gilgamesh with the significant support of Enkidu, his companion. The act of Enkidu defending Gilgamesh and insulting the goddess in agreement to his new friend reinforces my suggestion of a close and fond relationship between the two "heroes".
This tablet and the story in general, refer to gods as living things that can be seen and touched by humans, more than an idea. This reminds me of a theory stated by an archeologist and writer, Zecharia Sitchin, which says that creatures more advanced than us and from the space, may have been on the earth and have been interpreted by humans as gods. He demonstrates how many cultures have gods that share roles and are very similar in personality. It may sound quite impossible, somewhat illogical and crazy, but if you read his books and investigate well it becomes possible. “Then Ishtar was enraged and the goddess climbed the parapet of the city of Uruk and spoke her curse.” (pg. 34) The way Ishtar acts reminds me of the Greek and Egyptian gods, imperfect gods that feel and think as we do. The possible interaction of gods with a mortal and the idea of demigods are also very familiar to these cultures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oa5r0nQ8ms
http://www.sitchin.com/
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