Sex. The basis of our
society and repopulation. but for many of you us in western society sex is
regarded as something shame-full and not to be talked about. But why
is this the way it is? For something so important to every species on earth,
and as one of the few species who do it specifically for pleasure why is it
such a taboo subject?
In Mesopotamian literature,
it is clear that sex is freely talked about and accepted. Inanna, for instance,
is so wooed by her own Vulva that she stopped and gazed at it in wonder. With
the Holy Me’s Inanna was gifted with the art of kissing the Phallus. In both
the stories of Inanna and the Epic of Gilgamesh there are references to temple
harlots. Priestesses who are regularly engaged in ritualistic sex for the main
pantheon of gods. In Gilgamesh, there are even examples off gay relationships
that are common and accepted in the day to day of heroes. Even in the Iliad,
references to sex and keeping women besides wives for purposes of consummating
is seen to be the norm by the Greeks.
Why then, if these
things are so common in the origins of many peoples, if not most, Is it so
taboo in our current day to day society? How was sex changed from something to
be proud of to something to keep closed behind doors?
I would like to start by pointing out how great your topic is. I was very shocked but interested in the use of sex and homosexuality in these stories as well. Part of me enjoyed them because it was so different from what we are used to in a world that often turns the other way to the discussion of sex. I think reading your article made me think more about today and the future. Society has progressed very far in the subjects of acceptance and sexuality. Could that progression go as far as openly having harlots or prostitutes and that beings honored or praised like it is in these stories. Mom jeans have been making a comeback, is it possible that something as sensitive as sex maybe become not so sensitive anymore?
ReplyDeleteI was in a history class two semesters ago, that essentially claimed that the reason sex is so forbidden bout in our society is because of the early fights between christian scholars and a certain philosopher (though I cant remember who) and as our world drifts away from its christian roots, it does seem more likely that it will drift back towards being open to ones sex.
DeleteI want to start off by how SPOT on you are on this topic of sexuality in ancient literature. From the start of reading Innana, I was really fascinated how open and shameless sexuality was in Mesopotamian culture. In between pages, you read a sex scene after another. Mesopotamian literature was basically an ancient version of erotica novels. As someone that doesn't read a whole lot of erotica or romance, the amount of sex in Innana and Gilgamesh was definitely something I won't forget reading, since I really loved how open and blunt Mesopotamian were about sexuality.
ReplyDeleteWe could be too! The prevalence of christianity in western culture is what stops us from doing so, but you might remember that the original sin was being shameful of their nude bodies, something Mesopotamians clearly were not. It almost mad eme wonder if early Semitic peoples were kicked out of their society for trying to enforce these body-shaming views?
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ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that in the ancient times sexuality was so open, but I suppose that was the norm for that time period. I think to try and answer your question is that being open about sexuality goes in and out just a fad would. Except this almost world wide fad has been lasting a long time maybe with a turn of events people could change this view of sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI feel our feelings towards sex as a nation (and as a society) has been heavily influenced by the doctrines of the Bible. I have had the pleasure of living in/visiting France on several occasions and they are significantly more open out sex. From their TV commercials to the artwork, the French people, as well as other European nations, have completely embraced their sexuality. America, on the other hand, has not. The fact that another equally civilized nation has embraced their sexuality, while another has not, points towards a factor (other than sophistication) at play. For me I feel that this rogue factor is the Christian religion. The principals of this religion are embedded in our society, and it's views on the matters of sex and sexual orientation have been ingrained in our minds and the minds of those before us.
ReplyDeletePierre
DeleteI'm trying to figure out why you (and Virginia) are registering as "unknown"; must be something about the way you set up your identities on the blog. I will see if I can figure it out...
DeleteVery interesting point. I'm not the first person to mention this, but I absolutely think it's the influence of Christianity that has shaped our culture's views on nudity and sex. However, it is interesting to think that those views originated very close to the land of the stories of Inanna, and not too long after. Interesting how different they were and how those kind of religious beliefs rose up among the very different culture.
ReplyDeleteThis was Virginia by the way
DeleteI'm trying to figure out why you (and Pierre) are registering as "unknown"; must be something about the way you set up your identities on the blog. I will see if I can figure it out...
DeleteI think religious doctrine and/or just general patterns of change help to explain this trend. Multiple religions, Christianity most notably but others as well, teach abstinence in order to build the sacredness of a connection between two spouses. However, there are those without a religious background who also establish this standard for themselves. This could be a subconscious influence of these religions, as Christianity in particular has shaped much of the framework of societies in which it was dominant. Or, it could signify a change in the emotional essence of sex. Clearly, in these civilizations we are looking at now, sex was a celebratory act that was openly talked about and embraced. Perhaps sex over centuries has changed in propriety because of natural movements of change that occur in each new culture. For comparison, we can look, for example, at the use of the "r" word. In past, this was totally acceptable, but now it is wholly inappropriate. If such a radical change can occur in a concept in mere decades, imagine what can happen in thousands of years. It would be helpful and probably interesting to see how sex is portrayed in other texts that predate the beginnings of Christianity.
ReplyDeleteI do see your point! The instance that came to mind for me as I was reading your post was when the temple priestess, or harlot, was enlisted to perform sexual acts for a lengthy period of time with Enkidu in order to "domesticate" him and help him realize his manhood. Clearly, sex was seen as an integral part of being human, given that upon engaging in these sexual relations with the harlot, Enkidu was no longer accepted by the animals he used to blend in perfectly well with.
I found this topic to be very interesting also. The amount of depth and description that goes into talking about sexuality differs greatly from the modern day. As things develop over time the so called "norm" changes and it is interesting just how different it was then.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that this major switch happened around the start of Christianity, actually. I remember looking into it once a while ago. In order to combat the pagan rituals and make Christianity more of a "new thing," the Church tried to ban or at least disapprove of anything overtly pagan - such as the importance of sex, emotion, and the importance of women in society as functioning members instead of just mothers. Considering western culture exploded with Christianity and spread it everywhere, this day and age has largely been exposed to those ideas. In addition, modern science has come leaps and bounds from what was known even 20 years ago - the medical risks involved with incautious sex (STDs, unwanted pregnancy, etc.), adding to the fear that modern society has about bringing sexuality to the forefront of our society. (I could certainly be wrong about this, especially the whole Christian takeover thing, but I do remember hearing that somewhere. Please let me know if I'm wrong - I'm curious now!)
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you posted on this topic, Orion, since it is a major theme in Mesopotamian literature (let's face it, all literatures everywhere, even if submerged by taboo). It is certainly plain that sexuality had no need of being whispered behind curtains or disguised inside elaborate metaphors (The line between metaphor and reality in the Inanna hymns is about as fine as you can get...)
ReplyDeleteIt is also an important topic because of the stark contrast with the treatment of sexuality in the literature of the three great Abrahamic religions--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--where sexuality IS substantially repressed. Christianity and Islam, especially, have taken this suppression to great lengths, which can heavily color our initial responses to the Mesopotamian materials. Often, American readers have to deal with near-shock at the openness of sex and sexuality as portrayed in these religious and cosmological texts, and this can sometimes be an impediment to understanding and appreciation...
Good discussion, everyone!
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ReplyDeleteNighthawkDecember 7, 2019 at 1:59 PM
I really like how you brought this up because what you talked about is very true. I think its just one of those things where times change, so peoples beliefs on sexuality is different. Plus there are also people with just different beliefs in general that might also have different points of view on the topic.