The Epic of Gilgamesh The Hero's Journey

Ordinary World Gilgamesh is son of a human man and a goddess. He is king of the ancient Sumerian city-state of Uruk. Since Gilgamesh was born half god he is stronger and more handsome than anybody else. Even though he is a king, Gilgamesh is being a jerk. He uses his advantages to wrestle men from the town in competitions and he messes with young girls on their wedding night.

Call to Adventure People were tired of his behavior so they asked for help from the gods. In response the gods gave him Enkidu. But instead of calming Gilgamesh down, they become best friends and end up doing many more bad things.

Refusal of the Call As king, Gilgamesh is supposed to protect his people and set an example for them. Instead Gilgamesh spends all his time wearing out the young men of the city with endless athletic contests and sexually exploiting the young women. Even before their wedding night.

Meeting the Mentor After Enkidu's death Gilgamesh started to worry about his own death. So he goes on a journey to see a man named Utanapishtim. It is said he is the man with immortality and even the ancestor of Gilgamesh.

Crossing the Threshold Gilgamesh did many things with the arrival of Enkidu. One thing was killing Hambuba the guard of the forest. There was no exact reason for killing Hambaba but it made Gilgamesh look stonger.

Tests, Allies& Enemies Some tests were fighting Enkidu, killing Hambaba, killing the bull of heaven, death of Enkidu, and the race against the sun. His number one ally would be Enkidu. Enemies were the people of Uruk, the goddess Ishtar, and the beasts he battled.

Innermost Cave Gilgamesh wants inmortality but he must go through many quests that gives him the risk of dying.

Ordeal Gilgamesh has to go to the bottom of the sea to get the plant he want to stay young.

Reward Since Inmortality was not given to Gilgamesh he is told there is a plant that grows a

Road Back Once Gilgamesh has the plant he decides to have a bath and leaves the plant on the floor. A while later a snake appears and eats the plant and it seems the plant worked because the snake shedded its old skin. Gligamesh starts crying but, all the same, he and Urshanabi keep heading for Uruk. all the same, he and Urshanabi keep heading for Uruk. And when they arrive at the city, Gilgamesh triumphantly lists the notable features of Uruk—thus echoing the opening lines of the epic.

Resurrection Gilgamesh never died so there was no resurrection. But if resurrection can be symbolic, Gilgamesh changes into a new person after the death of Enkidu and when he gets home from his big journey.

Return with Elixir Gilgamesh returns home, triumphantly lists the notable features of Uruk—thus echoing the opening lines of the epic. This might mean he starts being a good king to his people.