Siduri, the Tavernkeeper

A common literary device used in the epic of Gilgamesh is irony. Examples can be found throughout the epic; and many are found in tablet X, when Gilgamesh comes upon Siduri. Siduri is described in the epic as a “wise old goddess.” However, her name, ironically, means “young girl.” Also, she is a tavernkeeper. This is an example of what Rivkah Harris calls inversion; Siduri is a goddess yet she is a tavernkeeper (taverns and prostitutes were the favorite past times of the Mesopotamian men). Instead of getting alcohol from the tavern, Gilgamesh got advice from Siduri.

Also Siduri is shown to be very different from Shamhat. Shamhat undresses, whereas Siduri is covered by a veil. Not only does she have a physical veil, but she also closes the gate of the tavern when she sees Gilgamesh approach, and it seems as if her whole conversation with him is carried out from behind the tavern gate (it is never said that she opens it).

Also, after Gilgamesh tells her about how he and Enkidu killed Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven, Siduri does not seem impressed and does not respond to this. Rather, she asks him why his cheeks are hollow, his face so sunken, his visage so wasted, why sorrow dwells in his heart, why he is wandering around in lion’s garb, etc. It is interesting to see how she does not comment at all about the achievements, but pretty much asks him that if indeed you have done all of these things, why are you such a mess?

Lastly, Siduri’s role in Gilgamesh’s quest can be compared to the role that Ninsun played in an earlier tablet. Siduri gives Gilgamesh advice on how to get to get to Uta-napishti and also warns him and tries to tell him not to go. She speaks in a very “dignified” manner compared to Ishtar.