Research Catalog

Title

When heroes love : the ambiguity of eros in the stories of Gilgamesh and David / Susan Ackerman.

Author

Ackerman, Susan.

Publication

New York : Columbia University Press, [2005], ©2005.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xvi, 353 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

"In exploring the stories of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and David and Jonathan, Ackerman cautions against applying modern conceptions of homosexuality to these relationships. Drawing on historical and literary criticism, Ackerman's close readings analyze the stories of David and Gilgamesh in light of contemporary definitions of sexual relationships and gender roles. She argues that these male relationships cannot be taken as same-sex partnerships in the modern sense, but reflect the ancient understanding of gender roles, whether in same- or opposite-sex relationships, defined as either active (male) or passive (female). Her interpretation also considers the heroes' erotic and sexual interactions with members of the opposite sex."--BOOK JACKET.

Series Statement

Gender, theory, and religion

Uniform Title

Gender, theory, and religion.

Subjects

• Gilgamesh
• David, King of Israel
• Homosexuality in the Bible
• Homosexuality in literature
• Jonathan (Biblical figure)
• Bible > Samuel > Criticism, interpretation, etc

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-326) and indexes.

Contents

1. Of greeting cards and methods : understanding ancient Near Eastern sex -- The Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh -- 2. Introducing Gilgamesh -- 3. Gilgamesh and Enkidu -- 4. The liminal hero, part 1 -- 5. The liminal hero, part 2 -- The biblical story of David and Jonathan -- 6. Introducing David -- 7. David and Jonathan -- 8. Liminality and beyond.

ISBN

• 0231132603 (cloth : alk. paper)
• 0231132611 (pbk.)

LCCN

2004065670

OCLC

• ocm57342000
• SCSB-5187200

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries