The Epic of Gilgamesh, known as one of the world's’ oldest texts, could be considered a story
driven by brotherhood. After Enkidu and Gilgamesh tussle, they become partners in crime and
drive teh epic towards Gilgamesh’ ultimate transformation from a tyrant to a more accepting
human being.
Joseph Campbell’s components of the Hero’s journey include the “Announcement of the
Quest” when Enkidu and Gilgamesh somewhat agree to go into the forest to fight Humbaba.
Secondly, there is the “Supernatural Aid” when the duo obtain special armaments. Thirdly, there
is the “Refusal of the Quest” when Enkidu warns Gilgamesh of Humbaba and his terrifying
strength. Fourthly, “The Meeting with the Goddess” comes when they meet with Ninsun,
Gilgamesh's mom. Then, the “Crossing of the 1st Threshold” appears when Enkidu warns
Gilgamesh about crossing the forest’ gates, but they continue. While continuing they enter “The
Belly of the Whale” to fight Humbaba who is described as a beast. As their first adventure
begins “Supernatural Aid” comes from the god Shamash that paralyze Humbaba. While
stunned, Gilgamesh is able to decapitate Humbaba. In this action, we find a stretched version of
the “Atonement with the Father”. Gilgamesh can see Humbaba as a tyrant father figure that
creates an atonement by decapitating Humbaba. After this adventure, there is a “Meeting with
the Goddess” Ishtar who offers Gilgamesh a marriage proposal. This is especially important in
this epic since it becomes the factor that begins the second call to adventure to which
Gilgamesh is faced with the existential crisis of his own mortality. Another important piece of
criteria from the Hero’s journey is the “Woman as Temptress”. When Gilgamesh denies Ishtar’s
proposal, this makes her the temptress as well as the catalyst for Enkidu’s death.
Within this Epic, Gilgamesh even has another cycle of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s journey
criteria. He comes across the belly of the whale when he comes across Scorpion men, and
comes across the divine, Ur-shanabi. Upon reaching Utnapishtim Gilgamesh receives a
revelation about immortality. This is considered the “Apotheosis”. In turn towards this
apotheosis, Gilgamesh is give a “Road of Trials” where if he stay awake for six days and seven
nights, he can become immortal, but fails miserably. His “ultimate boon” then comes a plant that
will rejuvenate him. Next there is “Crossing the return threshold”, and while Gilgamesh bathes,
the plant is stolen by a serpent ultimately making his journey futile. His journey, especially the
“Crossing the final threshold” really defines Gilgamesh as not so much a hero considering that
he is fairly ambivalent. He comes to terms with that he is truly mortal and becomes a slightly
better ruler.
The role women play in The Epic of Gilgamesh is a deeply influential one. Women seem
to have a swaying and guiding factor guised as seduction. They appear to drive this epic
forward. The harlot Shamhat, while seen as a common prostitute was essentially the tamer of
Enkidu. Shamhat pushed the narrative forward by pulling Enkidu out of the savage life. This
female can be seen as a sort of mitigater especially in favor of Gilgamesh’s favor since Enkidu
and Gilgamesh, after a tussle, become “friends”. Ishtar’s role in The Epic of Gilgamesh
coincides with her role as the goddess of love and war. By this I mean that her love was rejected
and therefore resorted to war. Without Ishtar’s retaliation after Gilgamesh rejected her, she sent
down the Bull of Heaven. After the defeat of this creature, and the slapping of Ishtar with the
carcass, Enkidu’s fate is seemingly sealed with an illness