The Epic of Gilgamesh
By M =Doe
The Hero’s Journey
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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
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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.