Shamhat as mother-figure and teacher

I was really intrigued by Harris' assertion that Shamhat plays the role of a mother-figure to Enkidu. I wasn't thinking in that direction, although the text clearly supports it, because of her first role- the sexual initiation of Enkidu. However, she clothes, feeds, and in all respects "raises" Enkidu from beast to human. The explanation of this, role reversal, proves interesting when you think about the cultural interpretation of a prostitute-mother. As Harris says in the article, prostitutes were looked down upon in this society because they were seen to destroy the family unit. A prostitute acting as one of the pillars of the family unit must have been quite amusing or alarming to ancient listeners. In this way, role reversal is used to the fullest. The prostitute taking on a maternal role makes her more palatable to that kind of audience. Even though she isn't in a respected position, she acts as a respectable woman should.

The second reason that Shamhat is so important is her role attached to both her maternal qualities as well as her job. Harris mentions that prostitutes were seen as part of city-living. Since Uruk is presented as a civilized environment, it only makes sense that one of the true marks of a city is the one to initiate Enkidu into humanity. As a woman, she uses her maternal instincts to care for Enkidu. As a worldly person, she uses her notions of culture and society to teach Enkidu. Shamhat's role is so essential in the epic because of her duality of nature. Both sides of her are needed to tame the wild man. In one way, she is a temptress, luring Enkidu out of his natural habitat. In another way, she is a savior, showing him civilization and culture. The destroyer of the family unit is maternal; the one who is looked-down upon is the liberator.