Dipping my toe in the ocean of mythology...

Thus far, my first dabbles in mythology have been fun ~ and far more...intellectually insightful, shall we say, than I had originally anticipated.  The Enuma Elish (6-11) was a treasure trove of metaphors, themes, and sneak-peeks into the internal makeup of the worlds' cultures both today and yesterday that we will be investigating throughout the semester.  

I pinpointed The Enuma Elish as a Primal Unity Creation Story ~ as there only first existed "water and the mist that hovered above" from which there is separation, division, and the ultimate creation of further gods and humans.  


I am most fascinated with the inevitable moral struggle that ensues throughout the several mythologies we have read this week.  Twice in the Elish story an overwhelming sense of evil encroaches on the peace of creation.  Tiamat expresses her shock that her husband would wrong his own children (6) who then "design evil within their hearts" (7) - a sort of snowball effect of sin.  Perhaps the overlying cause of this story's (and indeed many different mythologies') struggle is that the primary gods have no one to answer to but themselves; there exists no higher judgement; they make their own rules in the game and thus suffer the consequences.


I also felt that the beginning of The Enuma Elish is incredibly reminiscent of The Fall of man, later resulting in the murder of Abel by his brother Cain - the first murder of mankind.  Through further readings and study I, of course, came to realize that this is a common theme amongst creation myths.  First there is peace and happiness, then someone at some point gets a big head and game over.


I most enjoyed the character of Marduk for his comparably incredible wisdom.  Unlike his brothers, it is his wisdom over courage that wins him ultimate victory.  He not only plans offensively but also defensively (considering useful weapons as well as protection against Tiamta's strengths - 9.  Maintaining a level head and acknowledging your enemies' strengths is vital in the world of battle).  Furthermore, his actions illustrate punishment instead of revenge; while his siblings march out hopped up on rage, it is Marduk who uses his wisdom to gain power.  


I found the ending interesting as the tale shifts into that of a Dismemberment Creation Story with Tiamat's gruesome fate (10).  But I also appreciated the cosmogony (beginning of order/cosmos) incorporated there in the last several paragraphs: "he had created order in the universe" (10).  The provision of purpose on the final page: "the purpose of their [humans'] lives was to serve the gods" (11) further lighted my eyes to the story.  I can't help but feel that a random story about random and, let's face it, unrealistic events and characters with no sense of purpose is just a tad waste of my time...then again, my soul purpose being to serve every wish and command of "the gods" doesn't seem that fulfilling either...