The Epic of Gilgamesh Journey
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The Journey of Gilgamesh
Return With the Elixir
When Gilgamesh returned from his journey, he did not come back with a solution to immortality, but instead returned with new knowledge of mortality and became a more respectful and better leader.
By Ethan Seiler,
Amel Fazlagic, and
Brenden Webb.
Resurrection
After the serpent had stolen Gilgamesh's plant that restores youth, he was devastated. His entire journey was for nothing and he broke down and wept. Even though he did not succeed in his journey, he did come to learn that humanity is a fragile thing and that you shouldn't worry about the future, but you should worry about now.
The Road Back
During Gilgamesh's journey back home, the plant that restores his youth was stolen by a serpent.
Hero Gains Reward/Treasure
Gilgamesh's reward was when he gained the plant that would restore his youth.
The Hero Endures the Supreme Ordeal
The supreme ordeal that Gilgamesh faced was when the serpent stole the plant of immortality and Gilgamesh looks death in the face. He then breaks down and cries.
Hero Reaches the Inner-Most cave or "Belly of the Whale"
For the first part of the story, the inner most cave was when Gilgamesh and Enkidu confronted Humbaba in the Cedar Forest. In the second part of the story, the inner-most cave was when he accepted Utnapishtims advice on retrieving the plant of youth and committed to the journey.
The Hero Encounters Tests and Obstacles and Gains Faithful Companions/Allies
Gilgamesh gained his faithful companion Enkidu after his fight with him. They both came to realize that they are equal and became allies. Later on in the story, Utnapishtim and Urshanabi became his allies.
The Hero Crosses the First Threshold
In the fist part of the story, Gilgamesh crossed the threshold into the Cedar Forest to fight Humbaba. In the second part of the story, Gilgamesh went through the mountains of Manshu and crossed the ocean to meet Utnapishtim.
The Call to Adventure
At the beginning of the story, Gilgamesh begins a quest with Enkidu to slay the giant Humbaba who guards the cedar forest. After the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh, in fear of his mortality, begins a quest to seek immortality.
The Hero is Introduced to the Real World
The Refusal to the Call
When the gods created Gilgamesh, they made him 2/3 divine and 1/3 human. His greatest attributes were his beauty and courage. He is the protagonist and ruler of Sumeria. He lives a careless and somewhat plain life.
During his fight with Humbaba, Gilgamesh is weary of killing him, in fear that the gods will take revenge on him.
The Hero Meets and is encouraged by the Mentor; Receives Supernatural Aid
In the first part of the story, Giglamesh's mother, who is a goddess, gives him help and instructs him on where to go and what to do on his journey. In the second part of the story, Utnapishtim gives him the knowledge that you can't reach immortality on your own, but gives him an alternative solution to find the plant of youth to make him young again.