The Epic of Gilgamesh What is Myth Symbolize and embody the spiritual values of a culture Society preserves myths because it believes world views found in them are crucial to the survival of the culture ID: 769226
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The Epic of Gilgamesh
What is Myth? Symbolize and embody the spiritual values of a culture. Society preserves myths because it believes world views found in them are crucial to the survival of the culture. They attempt to answer key questions of life .
Functions of Myth Transmit Culture Explain the world—floods, mortality, human nature. Provide Role Models—larger than life figures that embody cultural values.
Common Themes in Myth Gods of sky and earth Creator gods Flood story Death and rebirth Heroes and hero’s journey
The Two Truths 1 st Truth 2 nd Truth Literal Truth Metaphorical Truth Did it really Happen? What is the takeaway from the story? How can we apply the events in myth to our lives?
History of Gilgamesh Earliest recorded word of literature – dates to 2100 b.c . Written in cuneiform Sumer (Middle Eastern)
History of Gilgamesh Borrows the name of an apparent king of Uruk circa 2500 b.c . Recounts a flood that may have occurred in the region in 2900 b.c . Uncovered in Nineveh in 1845 First outlined in 1862
Biblical Parallels Noah Flood Narrative with human “savior” Adam and Eve Creation of man from god and natural elements. Tempted by a female Man must leave former self never to return
The Epic Adj. Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: "A vast musical panorama . . . it requires an epic musical understanding to do it justice" (Tim Page). Noun: An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero. An epic is a long narrative poem--one that tells the story of a great hero.
The Epic Most epics begin with the “before words” -- the words before the story, which is called a “prologue.” This usually takes one of the two following forms: A Genealogy history of the people involved genealogy of the hero summary/introduction of the crisis A Prayer asking the gods for inspiration praising the hero and his adventures
The Hero’s Journey What is a Hero? According to Joseph Campbell A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something greater than oneself They set out to recover something that has been lost or to discover a life-giving elixir They must die to an infantile personality and psyche and come back having gained wisdom They undergo trials that serve to purify the hero to gain the ultimate boon. The hero’s morals come from sacrificing the self to save a people, a person, or to support an ideal that they believe in.
The Hero’s Journey Departure Initiation Return Known Unknown Return Refusal of the Return The Magic Flight Rescue from Without The Crossing of the Return Threshold Master of the Two Worlds Freedom to Live Separation The Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Supernatural Aid The Crossing of the First Threshold The Belly of the Whale Initiation The Road of Trials The Meeting with the Goddess Woman as the Temptress Atonement with the Father Apotheosis The Ultimate Boon