The Hero's Journey In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

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The Hero’s Journey is a pattern followed in dramas, myths, legends, storytelling, and even in movies today. Joseph Campbell, an American scholar, identified this pattern through many readings and research. The Hero’s Journey serves as an outline with different stages of a character’s journey in fiction. The hero is normally the main character, and he or she sets off on a journey. The achievement from this journey differs in stories but the pattern that the character follows is the same (Vogler). “The Epic of Gilgamesh” serves as a great example for evaluating the parts of a hero’s journey. In Gilgamesh’s “Ordinary World”, he rules as the King or Uruk. He is 2/3 god, and 1/3 man. Gilgamesh angered his people because of his immaturity, selfishness, …show more content…

Gilgamesh travels to Mount Mashu which serves as a portal to this special world. In a hero’s journey, there are also many trials along the way of resolution. Gilgamesh’s first trial is here, when he has to travel 36 miles into a tunnel to the new world. When he finally arrives he is given assistance again from Shamash, and a woman named Siduri. To Gilgamesh’s explanation on arriving in the world, she responds, “Gilgamesh, where are you roaming? The life that you are seeking you will not find. When the heavenly gods created human beings, they kept everlasting life for themselves and gave us death. So, Gilgamesh, accept your fate, (Gilgamesh, 47).” She tries to tell him to be thankful for the life he has, but Gilgamesh continues his journey. Siduri suggests that Gilgamesh finds Urshanabi, who will take him to Utanapishtim. Trial 2 is when Gilgamesh and Urshanabi sail the Waters of Death. Gilgamesh meets Utanapishtum, who tells him his own story. Still, Gilgamesh is unsatisfied with his mortality and continues to seek answers. Utanapishtum shows Gilgamesh that, even though he is 2/3 god, he is still weak. He challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for an entire week, and Gilgamesh fails. This is the “Crisis” of the “Hero’s Journey” in “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” The “Treasure”, is the plant given to Gilgamesh. The plant wouldn’t make Gilgamesh live forever but it would

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