Why did humanizing Enkidu take a work of a prostitute and not of an ordinary woman? The following lines suggest that Enkidu was humanized as a result of having sex with Shamhat: > When with her delights he was fully sated > he turned his gaze to his herd. > The gazelles saw Enkidu, they started to run, > the beasts of the field shied away from his presence. > > ... > > Enkidu was weakened, could not run as before, > but now he had reason, and wide understanding. If, then, having sex was what made him realize he was a human, why did it have to be a prostitute to do this labor? Why was not an ordinary woman assigned to do it?

Perceptions on prostitution have changed significantly over time. While it may seem strange today that Shamhat is a prostitute, in the ancient Near East her role was sacred, a role akin to a priestess. An ordinary woman would lack the divine favour Shamhat's role offered her. Therefore she would not be able to civilize Enkidu.

Further reading: Sacred prostitution