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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.
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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.
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 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
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 and fearsome giant • Appears as mean, but is 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.