K. Dickson
Comparative Mythology: Near Eastern
Gilgamesh

Images of Gilgamesh
Synopsis of Gilgamesh
 
PATTERN

Birth
Mixed Status
Gilgamesh 2/3 divine, son of semi-divine Lugalbanda and goddess Ninsun

[Alternate: King Seuechoros sequesters daughter, fearing otherthrow by grandson. Infant Gilgamesh thrown from acropolis, rescued by eagle, nurtured by gardener at orchard.]
   
Childhood
Signs of Election rescue by eagle
Separation gardener foster-parent
Education (narrative missing)
   
Departure
Call to Adventure
Gilgamesh the bad king (a usurper?)

desire for heroic glory
Sidekick
Enkidu  (homoerotic relationship)
Exploits Huwawa, Ishtar, Bull of Heaven


Return
Failure
death of Enkidu

refusal to bury corpse

vision of Afterworld

refusal to accept death (journey to end of world)

failures at end of world
Reconciliation
return to Uruk

death of Gilgamesh
   
Memorialization
wall of Uruk
inscription of story on lapis lazuli tablets
funeral of Gilgamesh

beginning of oral narratives