Gilgamesh Epic Hero Cycle

Explanation

Enkidu's death forces Gilgamesh to realize that he is still a mortal and can die.

Textual Evidence

“At the loss of his true friend, Gilgamesh is grief stricken and made suddenly aware of his own mortality.” IX. 34.

Explanation

Gilgamesh killing the lions in the Mashu Mountains with his axe and sword.

Texual Evidence

“If it in darkness that I shall arrive at the Gates of the Mountains, Meeting with lions, then terror fall on me, I'll lift my head skywards, Offer my prayer to the Moon-god, or else to . . .the gods let my orison Come . . . 'O deliver me!'" Poised he his axe in his hand, and drew his sword from his baldric, Lance-like leapt he amongst the lions . . . smiting . . . and crushing and killing them.” IX. 34

Explanation

Shamash allows for Gilgamesh to enter the garden of the Gods because Gilgamesh completes the road of the sun.

Urshanbi is also Gilgamesh's ally because he is the one that is taking Gilgamesh everywhere.

Textual Evidence

“Shamash was touched, that he summoned him, thus unto Gilgamesh speaking:

"Gilgamesh, why do you run, forasmuch as the life which you seek

You shall not find?” IX. 35

“Urshanabi fared Gilgamesh forth in their vessel,

They launced the boat on the billow, and they themselves in her embarking.” IX. 39

Why?

A Scorpian-Man gives Gilgamesh the challenge of traveling the road of the sun.

Textual Evidence

“Scorpion-men, awful in terror, their very glance Death: and tremendous, Shaking the hills, their magnificence; they are the Wardens of Shamash” IX. 35.

Explanation

Gilgamesh crosses the threshold when he completly travels the Road of the Sun.

Textual Evidence

“Then when Gilgamesh heard this, he set off at the word of the Scorpion-man, taking the Road of the Sun . . ." The first two leagues are in deep darkness, without light, which did not allow him to see . . . behind him . . ." Each succeeding period of two leagues is the same until the eighth is reached and passed, and by the ninth he apparently comes to the first glimmer of light. Finally, with the twelfth league, he reaches the full blaze of the sun, and there he beholds the Tree of the Gods.” IX. 35.

Why?

Siduri trys to discourge Gilgamesh by telling him that his vigor and energy is wasted on trying to find immortality.

Textual Evidence

“Unto him answered the Wine-maker, speaking to Gilgamesh, saying: "Why is your vigor so wasted, or why is your countenance sunken, Why has your spirit a sorrow, or why has your cheerfulness ended? O, but there's hunger in your belly! Like one who has gone a far journey So is your face—O, with cold and with heat is your countenance weathered ...that you should range over the desert."” X. 36.

Explanation

Rebuilding Urshanabi's boat is Gilgamesh's first trial. Gilgamesh's second trial is crossing the waters of death.

Textual Evidence

“Thus did Urshanabi speak to him, yea, unto Gilgamesh, saying: "Gilgamesh, your own hand has hindered your crossing the Ocean, You have destroyed the sails...” X. 39.

“Gilgamesh,... Let not the Waters of Death touch your hand . . . Gilgamesh, take you a second, a third, and a fourth pole for thrusting, Gilgamesh, take you a fifth, and a sixth, and a seventh for thrusting, Gilgamesh, take you an eighth, and a ninth, and a tenth pole for thrusting, Gilgamesh, take an eleventh, a twelfth pole!" He ceased from his poling, Aye with twice-sixty thrusts...” X. 39.

Explanation

Utnapishtim's test is the Ultimate Ordeal because it decides whether or not Gilgamesh gains immortality.

Textual Evidence

“But you, as for you, pray,

Who will assemble the gods for your need, that the life which you seek

You may discover? Come, fall not asleep for six days, aye, and seven nights!” XI. 45.

Explanation

Utnatim telling Gilgamesh about the planet of everlasting youth after Gilgamesh fails the test.

Textual Evidence

“Then answered Utnapishtim to him, yea, to Gilgamesh spoke he: "Gilgamesh, hither did come all wear with rowing; O, tell me, What shall I give you as gift wherewith to return to your country? Gilgamesh, I will tell you a secret . . . I'll tell you: There is a plant like a thorn with its root deep down in the ocean, Like unto those of the briar, in truth its prickles will scratch you, Yet if your hand reach this plant, you will surely find life everlasting."” XI. 47.

Explanation

Gilgamesh wants to give the plant of youth to the elders of Uruk before he eats it.

Textual Evidence

“Gilgamesh spoke to the boatman Urshanabi: "Nay, but this plant is a plant of great wonder, Urshanabi," said he, "Whereby a man may attain his desire—I'll take it to Uruk, the high-walled, and give it to the elders to eat. 'Greybeard-who-turneth-to-man-in-his-prime' is its name, and then I'll eat it, I myself, that again I may come to my youthful condition."” XI. 47.

Explanation

The reason the Flood Story is the Ultimate Boonis because all that Gilgamesh brought back to Uruk from his quest.

Textual Evidence

“It is written that Gilgamesh shared Utnapishtim’s story of the flood (on clay tablets) with his people, and in this, they rejoiced.” XI. 48

Evidence

Gilgamesh returns back to Uruk with Urshanabi after his journey to Utnapishtim.

Textual Evidence

“Broke they their fast after twenty leagues: at thirty they rested;

After three days they had walked the equal of a month and fifteen days.

So in the end to the middle of Uruk, the high-walled, they arrived.” XI. 47.

Evidence

Gilgamesh brings joy to Uruk when he brings only the Flood story back with him.

Textual Evidence

“It is written that Gilgamesh shared Utnapishtim’s story of the flood (on clay tablets) with his people, and in this, they rejoiced.” XI. 48.