In “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” we see the transformation of Gilgamesh from a prideful and reckless king into a wiser, more reflective figure. Using Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey, discuss whether Gilgamesh is ultimately a successful hero, even though he fails to achieve immortality. What does he gain, and how does his journey reflect universal human experiences such as grief, friendship, and acceptance of mortality?
In "The Epic of Gilgamesh," Gilgamesh ultimately emerges as a successful hero through the lens of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, despite his failure to achieve literal immortality. His transformation from a tyrannical, prideful king to a wise and reflective ruler who accepts his mortality and values human connection aligns perfectly with the spiritual and psychological growth inherent in the hero's archetype.
Gilgamesh's epic mirrors several key stages of the Hero's Journey:
The Call to Adventure: The people of Uruk, suffering under Gilgamesh's oppressive rule, cry out to the gods, who send Enkidu to challenge him. This disruption to his ordinary world is his call.
The Refusal of the Call (Initial Arrogance): Initially, Gilgamesh embraces the challenge with his typical arrogance, viewing Enkidu as merely another obstacle to conquer. Their initial fight, however, leads to an unexpected outcome: friendship.