The Epic of Gilgamesh

By M =Doe

The Hero’s Journey• Steps:• The call to adventure• Refusal of the call• Supernatural aid• Crossing the first threshold• The belly of the whale• The road of trials• The meeting of the godess• Temptation away from the true path• Atonement of the father• Apotheosis• The ultimate boon• Refusal of the return

• The magic flight• Rescue from without• Crossing the return threshold• Master of the two worlds• Freedom to live

Where is ancient Mesopotamia?

About ancient Mesopotamia• The indigenous Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and

Babylonians ruled Mesopotamia from around 3100 BC till the fall of Babylon in 539 BC.

• Mesopotamia was defeated by Alexander the Great in 332 BC.• Mesopotamia is famous for being one of the

four river civilizations where writing was first invented, along with the Nile valley (Egypt), the Indus Valley (India), and the Yellow River valley (China).

• Both men and woman had opportunities to learn to read and write.

• Mesopotamian math and science was based on a base 60 number system.

About Gilgamesh

He was:• Physically fit and a mighty warrior.• The embodiment of masculinity.• 2/3 god, 1/3 man.• He fails in his quest for immortality.• He has a spousal bond with Enkidu.

About Enkidu

• Enkidu was created to plague Gilgamesh.• He started off as a wild-man.• Tamed through knowing the divine harlot,

Shamhat.• He becomes Gilgamesh’s loyal companion.• He assists in the killing of Humbaba and the

Bull of Heaven.

Background and Prologue

• The background describes Gilgamesh as a folk epic and describes ancient Mesopotamia.

• The background also describes Mesopotamian views on life, death, and the gods.

• The prologue begins by introducing Gilgamesh and his origins.• It also summarizes his journey and deeds, including:• Learning of a tale from before the flood,• Saw “mysteries and knew secret things”,• Then he returned and “engraved on a stone the whole story”• It then describes the things he did for Uruk, like building the

great walls and ramparts of Uruk.

About Humbaba

• Humbaba is an eons old giant who guarded the Cedar Forest (where the gods lived).

• He was assigned to the cedar forest by Enlil.• He has “the look of death”, breaths fire, and

has a face made of intestines.• He is somewhat honorable (believes

gilgamesh’s oath).

The Battle with Humbaba

• Gilgamesh wishes to gain renown and where not possible “establish the renown of the gods”.

• Gilgamesh claims that it is not his time to die.• Gilgamesh offers his big sister to be Humbaba’s wife in exchange

for the seven splendors.• Humbaba pleads his tale of woe to Gilgamesh and Gilgamesh is

swayed.• Then Enkidu chastises Gilgamesh, then Humbaba insults Enkidu

and they (Gilgamesh and Enkidu) cut his throat.• Then they present Humbaba’s head to Enlil, and hand over the

seven splendors to him.• Enlil curses Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

The Death of Enkidu

• Enkidu has two prophetic dreams.• He sees the gods arguing about who must die for killing

Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven.• He pictures himself in the netherworld as a bird-man who eats

clay and drinks dust.• Enkidu lashes out at the people who made him who he is

(Shamhat, the hunter, elders etc).• He wastes away and dies.• Enkidu’s death causes Gilgaemsh to go on a grief binge and

wreck his house.• Then Gilgamesh decides he never wants to die and goes on a

quest for immortality.