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Gilgamesh Hero's Journey Analysis

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Campbell’s research on the Hero’s Journey can be found in almost every historical, mythological tale told, including “The Epic of Gilgamesh”. During the Forest Journey Gilgamesh and Enkidu experience a Call to Adventure. A Call to Adventure is usually a wakeup call, telling the protagonist there’s more than what is in their ordinary world. This call can come in many forms; in this case it comes in the form of a dream. Dreams seem to be a driving force in this story as it initiates many other sub stages and move the plot forward. After our heroes Call to Adventure they go through sub stage Supernatural Aid. Gilgamesh and Enkidu ask for guidance from both Shamash and Ninsun and in return are given weapons and blessings to aid them on their journey. …show more content…

After the death of Enkidu Gilgamesh lamented for several days over his brother and new fear his mortality. This introduces both the Apotheosis and Rescue From Without sub stages. A Rescue From Without is when a character is wounded by the adventure and often reminds the hero that they are fallible, or in this case part human. The Apotheosis makes the protagonist view the world differently or come to a realization as Gilgamesh realized he wasn’t going to live forever. Gilgamesh with his new Call to Adventure searches for everlasting life and thus the Heroic Monomyth …show more content…

This story talks about the subject of death so much that it tell us how to live on after it, through your legacy. As Enkidu dies Gilgamesh is reminded of his own mortality and goes on a journey to find everlasting life. During this journey many people, such as Siduri and Utnapishtim, remind him to enjoy what little life he has left but he doesn’t listen. Gilgamesh would rather keep living in the physical world than leave with his legacy left behind because he’s scared that he will be forgotten. After his long journey he finally accepts his fate and becomes King of Uruk yet

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