A Fragment of Inanna
Feb. 11th, 2004 09:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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queenofhalves's questions today reminded me of a script I was working on at one time, a version of The Descent of Inanna. Like many myths, the classical version leaves plenty of room for new interpretations and amplifications. I was trying to flesh out some of the scenes while remaining true to the original story and its mood.
The script came to me in pieces. This is one of them.
Inanna enters the throne room of Ereshkigal as if near exhaustion. She is stunned by the loss of her regalia and the powers invested in them. But as she nears the throne, she draws herself up proudly, although she sways a little. Her dialogue through this scene should be a little breathless, as if speaking clearly and proudly is an effort, but one she does not wish to show.
Ereshkigal is a huge figure sitting on a black-draped throne. She herself is wrapped in a hooded cloak. Her face is visible, but the hood conceals her own crown and whatever it is she is wearing beneath. She is very pregnant, and this may or may not be visible through the cloak.
Ereshkigal: Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I have come to pay my respects at the funeral of your husband, the mighty Bull God.
Ereshkigal: Where are your mourning clothes? Where are the ashes that should smear your cheeks? Where are your libations to the Queen of the Dead?
(Inanna is silent.)
It would have been well if you had come to do homage to the dead, but you have not. Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I am here seeking knowledge.
Ereshkigal: What are your questions? What wisdom do I have that you admit you have not? Why do you not have the humble posture of a seeker?
(Inanna is silent.)
It would have been well if you were here seeking knowledge, but you are not.
Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I rule the stars. I rule the earth. I possess the me. All humanity bows before me, and all the gods do me homage, even Father Enki, whose priestess I am. You owe me homage, Ereshkigal, and I am here to claim it as my right.
Ereshkigal: You are not a goddess. You are not a queen. You are not a warrior or a priestess. You are no longer even a wife or a mother. You are only Inanna. And it is not enough!
Ereshkigal stands up and casts back her cloak, revealing her own regalia -- dark versions of Inanna's own. Inanna staggers back a bit when confronted by the full majesty of the dark queen. The Annuna, the Judges of the Underworld, appear around the throne.
Ereshkigal: You have heard from her own mouth her purpose here, O Annuna.
What is your verdict?
Annuna (speaking singly): Arrogant!
Deceitful!
Impious!
Blasphemous!
Insolent!
Treacherous!
A fool.
Ereshkigal: Not through my words but through your own do you stand condemned, proud Inanna. But now hear my word, the Word of Death!
As the Word is pronounced, Inanna falls to the ground -- a look of stunned surprise on her face. The Anunna fade back into the shadows. When she is alone, Ereshkigal sits down heavily, holding her abdoman. She stares at Inanna's corpse for a few moments, then straightens slightly.
Ereshkigal: Remove this carcass from my sight!
Underworld servants appear and begin to remove Inanna's body.
Ereshkigal: Hang it on a post, at the edge of the realm, where it can rot. . . . unnoticed.
As the servants bear the body away, Ereshkigal's expression becomes pensive, angry, sad.
Ereshkigal (quietly): The Light of the World does not belong in the Realm of the Dead. Why did your wisdom fail you, once-glorious Inanna?
Ereshkigal leans back in her throne, then her body arches and she groans loudly and grips her abdomon as her labor pains begin.
queenofhalves's questions today reminded me of a script I was working on at one time, a version of The Descent of Inanna. Like many myths, the classical version leaves plenty of room for new interpretations and amplifications. I was trying to flesh out some of the scenes while remaining true to the original story and its mood.The script came to me in pieces. This is one of them.
Inanna enters the throne room of Ereshkigal as if near exhaustion. She is stunned by the loss of her regalia and the powers invested in them. But as she nears the throne, she draws herself up proudly, although she sways a little. Her dialogue through this scene should be a little breathless, as if speaking clearly and proudly is an effort, but one she does not wish to show.
Ereshkigal is a huge figure sitting on a black-draped throne. She herself is wrapped in a hooded cloak. Her face is visible, but the hood conceals her own crown and whatever it is she is wearing beneath. She is very pregnant, and this may or may not be visible through the cloak.
Ereshkigal: Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I have come to pay my respects at the funeral of your husband, the mighty Bull God.
Ereshkigal: Where are your mourning clothes? Where are the ashes that should smear your cheeks? Where are your libations to the Queen of the Dead?
(Inanna is silent.)
It would have been well if you had come to do homage to the dead, but you have not. Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I am here seeking knowledge.
Ereshkigal: What are your questions? What wisdom do I have that you admit you have not? Why do you not have the humble posture of a seeker?
(Inanna is silent.)
It would have been well if you were here seeking knowledge, but you are not.
Why are you here, Inanna of the Stars?
Inanna: I rule the stars. I rule the earth. I possess the me. All humanity bows before me, and all the gods do me homage, even Father Enki, whose priestess I am. You owe me homage, Ereshkigal, and I am here to claim it as my right.
Ereshkigal: You are not a goddess. You are not a queen. You are not a warrior or a priestess. You are no longer even a wife or a mother. You are only Inanna. And it is not enough!
Ereshkigal stands up and casts back her cloak, revealing her own regalia -- dark versions of Inanna's own. Inanna staggers back a bit when confronted by the full majesty of the dark queen. The Annuna, the Judges of the Underworld, appear around the throne.
Ereshkigal: You have heard from her own mouth her purpose here, O Annuna.
What is your verdict?
Annuna (speaking singly): Arrogant!
Deceitful!
Impious!
Blasphemous!
Insolent!
Treacherous!
A fool.
Ereshkigal: Not through my words but through your own do you stand condemned, proud Inanna. But now hear my word, the Word of Death!
As the Word is pronounced, Inanna falls to the ground -- a look of stunned surprise on her face. The Anunna fade back into the shadows. When she is alone, Ereshkigal sits down heavily, holding her abdoman. She stares at Inanna's corpse for a few moments, then straightens slightly.
Ereshkigal: Remove this carcass from my sight!
Underworld servants appear and begin to remove Inanna's body.
Ereshkigal: Hang it on a post, at the edge of the realm, where it can rot. . . . unnoticed.
As the servants bear the body away, Ereshkigal's expression becomes pensive, angry, sad.
Ereshkigal (quietly): The Light of the World does not belong in the Realm of the Dead. Why did your wisdom fail you, once-glorious Inanna?
Ereshkigal leans back in her throne, then her body arches and she groans loudly and grips her abdomon as her labor pains begin.
