COMPARISON OF HETERONORMATIVE VALUES

As such, people in that particular society will be expected to behave under the established social and cultural values. The essay will compare and contrast the relationship between two characters, Beatrice and Dante heterosexual couples and Gilgamesh and Enkidu who are deemed as homosexual or gay couples. These characters represent classical society as the stories were written thousands of years ago. The most glaring fact is that they introduce the concept of heteronormativity or heteronormative values. Understanding the relationship between the two sets of individuals requires the reader to first know what heteronormative values means. Heteronormative values are based on the binary view of the genders. Gender differentiation leads to people either being males or females. Furthermore, gender roles are clearly defined.

The values have expectation of on how each gender should behave or act. Heteronormative societies malign homosexuals. The values expect that once a person develops their sense of gender identity they should exhibit it in normal manner. Individuals must be attracted to people of opposite gender. This is exactly what Dante does when he first sees Beatrice. Another angle that is introduced to this concept is the nature of heteronormativity. Who should react first? Dante describes his feelings. The meeting is fascinating to Dante. The mere fact that it is Beatrice, who greeted him, makes Dante to immerse himself in the sea of joy. Dante retreats to his room and thinks about Beatrice. The thinking goes on until he falls asleep.

Evaluation of the second meeting reveals the subtle romantic feeling that Beatrice may have towards Dante. Beatrice reappears to Dante in Purgatorio Dante is overwhelmed with love just as like he had been when he first saw her at the age of nine. The story of Beatrice and Dante shows the romantic love whether abstract or concrete that is foundation of heteronormative values. Two people of opposite gender are deeply concerned on the welfare of each other. Indeed, Dante and Beatrice strictly adhere to the heteronormative values. Aruru, from clay and water creates Enkidu. The kind of intimate relationship that these two characters develop can be mistaken for homosexuality. In the epic of Gilgamesh, there no information that is given to suggest sexual relationship ever happened between Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

However, the erotic terms used shows the anomaly that would be highlighted in the heteronormative societies. After the fight, Gilgamesh acknowledges the strength of Enkidu. What they do next probably raises the question of sexuality. The mourning and the type of words he uses to describe Enkidu raises eyebrows. Was it really a normal man-to-man relationship? Gilgamesh begs the “beloved” (Gilgamesh) not to leave him (George 76). Beloved is a term that in heteronormative society refers to people who are romantically connected. As such, Gilgamesh and Enkidu activate another perspective to their relationship. The apparent deviation in heteronormative values shows the difference in the two generations.  Antonio Gramsci: Selections from cultural writings. Lawrence & Wishart, 2012. George, Andrew, ed.  The epic of Gilgamesh: the Babylonian epic poem and other texts in Akkadian and Sumerian.