The Hero s Journey From The Epic Of Gilgamesh - 942 Words

Gilgamesh was a powerful king of Uruk an ancient city in Sumer now known as Iraq. Created by the gods, Gilgamesh was 2/3 god and 1/3 man he thought of himself as undefeatable, and carried himself immorally, taking advantage of his people. Being tired of this the people of Uruk began sobbing, and the goddess Aruru heard their cries and created Gilgamesh s equal Enkidu. Together they would go on to venture into battles, one of which leads to the death of Enkidu that brings Gilgamesh to his very own journey to find immortality. This epic demonstrates the traits identified by the renown American psychologist Joseph Campbell in the story lines of the hero s journey. The first trait of the hero s journey according to Joseph Campbell is the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦/(VI.II.28-34). Inanna did not take Gilgamesh s rejection lightly she ran to her father and unleashed the bull of heaven upon Uruk. Gilgamesh had to protect his people, so himself along with his equal Enkidu charged after the bull and the battle ended twistedly resulting in the death of Enkidu, and the Gilgamesh s heroic journey began at the loss of his dear friend Enkidu. After mourning Enkidu, Gilgamesh began his journey to search for immortality and this was is the part of the epic that one can see Gilgamesh changing. This is the part of the epic Joseph Campbell s trait meeting with the mentor is showcased when Gilgamesh went into the unknown he passed the scorpions and met Siduri the barmaid with worldly advise in a tavern on the road by the sea and to her Gilgamesh said â€Å"Why do you hide? Open it or I will break through the door! Shall I have to break through thi s door?†(X.I.16-17) Siduri replied to Gilgamesh saying â€Å"I am afraid of what I see on your face is drawn so tight and thin. Why are you this way? What misfortune has robbed your youth? What sorrow eats your soul? What long hot journey has sapped your flesh? And why did you depart your familiar home?† (X.I.21-23) In the epic of Gilgamesh, the trait crossing the threshold can be seen as Gilgamesh leaves Uruk and goes on his quest to find immortality in the underworld. The trait that Joseph Campbell calls the ordeal is seen when Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh So Gilgamesh, king, and man, /ifShow MoreRelated The Epic of Gilgamesh is Truely an Epic Essay1690 Words   |  7 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh is Truely an Epic An epic is an extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.  Ã‚   The main characteristics of an epic as a literary genre is that it is a long poem that tells a story, it contains an epic hero, its hero searches for immortality (but doesnt find it physically, only through fame), gods or other supernatural beings are interested and involved, and it delivers an historical message.  Read MoreThe Epic Of An Epic886 Words   |  4 PagesIn Literature, an epic is defined as a long poem, in which there are one or more heroes. The hero in the epics typically possesses god-like powers that allows for them to stand out in the midst of peculiar paranormal. 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