Desire, Discord and Death: Approaches to Near Eastern Myth

by Neal Walls

Overview

The three essays presented in this volume reveal the symbolic complexity and poetic visions of ancient Near Eastern mythology. The author explores the interrelated themes of erotic desire, divine conflict, and death's realm in selected ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian mythological narratives using contemporary methods of literary analysis. Topics include the construction of desire in the Gilgamesh epic, a psychoanalytic approach to 'The Contendings of Horus and Seth', and gender and the exercise of power in the stormy romance of Nergal and Ereshkigal. Walls' fresh treatment of these three important myths brings them to life for the specialist and mythology buff alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780897570565
Publisher:	American Schools of Oriental Research
Publication date:	11/15/2001
Series:	ASOR Books Series , #8
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Neal Walls is Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Wake Forest University. A scholar of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and related ancient Near Eastern texts, Walls is fascinated by the breadth, depth, and complexity of Old Testament literature. He enjoys helping students to become skillful interpreters of scripture, to appreciate the diversity of theological perspectives within the canon, and to reclaim the Old Testaments abundant theological imagination for the churchs ministries today. Walls also leads pilgrimages and travel programs to Africa and the Middle East.

Table of Contents

	Abbreviations	vii
	Acknowledgements	viii
	Introduction: Hidden Riches in Secret Places	1
	Methods and Approaches	3
Chapter 1	The Allure of Gilgamesh: The Construction of Desire in the Gilgamesh Epic
	Introduction	9
	The Construction of Desire: Queering Gilgamesh	11
	The Erotic Gilgamesh	17
	The Prostitute and the Primal Man: Inciting Desire	18
	The Gaze of Ishtar: Denying Desire	34
	Heroic Love: Requiting Desire	50
	The Death of Desire	68
	Conclusion	76
Chapter 2	On the Couch with Horus and Seth: A Freudian Analysis (Or, The Case of Pharaoh's Mommy)
	Introduction	93
	Oedipus in Ancient Egypt	95
	A Contentious Court: Two Episodes	98
	The Insult and the Enigma	99
	Island Intrigue	104
	The Three Contests	108
	Under the Water	108
	In the Bed	112
	On the Boat	115
	Conclusion	116
Chapter 3	Desire in Death's Realm: Sex, Power, and Violence in "Nergal and Ereshkigal"
	Introduction	127
	Giving Death its Due	133
	Crucible of Desire	137
	Ereshkigal's Wiles	141
	A Goddess Scorned	147
	Ereshkigal's Complaint	152
	To Reign in Hell	161
	Nergal's Return	161
	Gender and Power	165
	Conclusion: Desire and Death	169
	References	183
	Subject Index	205
	Text Index	207