Queer theory

and “The Epic

of Gilgamesh”
 Introduction

• What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?

• Personal interpretations of homosexuality the Epic (Shoulders,
2022)
• Academic interpretations of homosexuality in the Epic
(Cooper, 2002; Nissinen, 2010)
• The conflict between interpretations.

Queer Theory & The Epic of Gilgamesh 2

Homosexuality in
“THE epic of Gilgamesh”

Proof in the Text Heteronormativity Queer Theory?

• Gilgamesh and sexual • The patriarchal structure of the • Queer theory as a new reading
tyranny. ancient world. (Cooper, 2002, of the Epic of Gilgamesh
Nissinen, 2010) (Stone, 2001)
• Gilgamesh’s dreams of
Enkidu. • Homoeroticism was part of
heteronormative society in the
ancient world.

Queer Theory & The Epic of Gilgamesh 3

 Towards
a queer Gilgamesh

12 3
• What does it mean to • Subjectivity, Subtext, • History is the relationship
“queer” a text? (Pearson, Individual Agency. between the past and
1999) (Shoulders, 2022) present. (Berger, 2008)

• Queer relationships in the • History is not a • Historical work is

Epic. (Nissinen, 2010) monolith. (Pearson, important, but also
1999) subjective.
• There is “no overt
homosexual behavior in • Sexuality is subjective, • Cultural mystification and
the Gilgamesh Epic.” there is no “proof” or history. (Berger, 2008) The
(Cooper, 2002) “right answer” Epic is not just history – it
is literature, and art.

Queer Theory & The Epic of Gilgamesh 4

Thank
thank
Thank
you
You
You
You