The Epic of Gilgamesh

One early theme of "The Epic of Gilgamesh" is the impulse of male aggression and the need to discipline it to become fully human. In Book I, Gilgamesh is defined by his strength as a warrior and his power as a king, but his reign is excessive:

The people suffer from his tyranny, the people cry out that he takes the son from his father and crushes him, takes the girl from her mother and uses her, the warrior’s daughter, the young man’s bride, he uses her, no one dares oppose him. Is this how you want your king to rule? (Line 73).

Gilgamesh is a powerful king, but his sexual appetites and proclivity for violence are out of control and unchallenged. When he faces Enkidu, his double, he learns the value of companionship and respect of other men. As a result, Gilgamesh becomes are more even-tempered ruler and focuses his aggression to outward threats (the monster Humbaba) rather than his own subjects.

Likewise, Enkidu experiences a similar transformation. Having grown up wild in the company of animals, Enkidu changes as the result of a sexual encounter with a priestess. Losing his virginity represents a crucial rite of passage for Enkidu as a man, who sheds the innocence of childhood and experiences an awakening: “Enkidu sat down at Shamhat’s feet.