The Epic of Gilgamesh

What is The Hero's Journey?

A narrative where a hero and his or her journey is central to the plot

The Hero usually goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of a group, tribe, or civilization.

This type of narrative appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development.

The Steps of the Hero's Journey

I: Departure The call to adventure Refusal of the call Supernatural aid Crossing the first

threshold The belly of the whale

II: Initiation The road of trials Meeting with the Goddess Temptation away from

the true path

Atonement with the father

Apotheosis The ultimate boon

III: Return Refusal of the return The magic flight Rescue from without Crossing the return

threshold Master of two worlds Freedom to live

Mesopotamia's Fertile Crescent

Ancient Mesopotamia

Literally means “land between rivers”, is know as “The Cradle of Civilization”

Located between the Tigress and Euphrates rivers in what is now modern-day Iraq

Developed one of the first written languages

Local religions had over twenty gods invented many technologies including

metal and copper-working, irrigation and much more

Gilgamesh

1/3 human, 2/3 god Was created in the image of

the gods Full of hubris and very

charismatic King of the city state Uruk,

is arrogant towards his people

Thinks he is invincible, despite not being so

Enkidu

Created by Aruru (goddess of creation)

Supposed to beat Gilgamesh in a wrestling match, but he lost

Is the voice of reason and logic

Has a healthy fear of death, unlike Gilgamesh

Epic of Gilgamesh: Background

Life in ancient Mesopotamia was difficult: Invaders Frequent floods Superstition and harsh gods

Stories of god-like heros helped bolster the endurance of a harsh life

The great journey of Gilgamesh served as a lesson of bravery to ancient people

Gilgamesh was a wise and courageous king He build great temples and a wall around his city of a

quality unmatched by any in the world His story was engraved in stone

Humbaba

Guardian of the forest

Created by Enlil

Strong andfearsome giant Appears as mean, butis just misunderstood

The Battle with Humbaba

Upon seeing Humbaba, Gilgamesh is terrified and calls for Shamash to aid him

Shamash paralyzes Humababa with great winds causing him to surrender

Humbaba tells Gilgamesh a story of woe to convince Gilgamesh to let him go.

Gilgamesh is convinced, but Enkidu dismisses this as trickery and tells Gilgamesh to slay Humbaba like they came to do.

Gilgamesh agrees, strikes Humbaba and Enkidu finishes him off.

The Death of Enkidu

The gods, especially Enlil, are enraged at the death of Humbaba and decide to punish Enkidu, and as a result, Gilgamesh also.

Enkidu develops a fever and begins to have prophetic dreams of his death.

Enkidu tells Gilgamesh of the underworld and his destination in the house of dust, where there are kings of old.

Within several days, Enkidu passes in his sleep.