Gilgamesh and the Cedar Forest and the Monomyth

Gilgamesh lived in the city of Uruk, a busy city on the flat Mesopotamian plain near the banks of the Euphrates river.

He spent time with his friend Enkidu

• status quo

• call to action

• departure

• trials

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

King Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu soon became bored with everyday life in Uruk. They wanted to see the world and find adventure. Gilgamesh suggested they journey across the flat plains to the distant mountains.They could bring back some wood from the cedar forests.

• treasure

• climax

• departure

• call to action

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

Now, everyone in Uruk had heard stories of the demon Humbaba who guarded the cedar forests in faraway hills. Humbaba's roar was like the sound of a flood, his mouth was like fire, and his breath was like death.

• departure

• trials

• climax

• return

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

They were both very strong, and believed that they could defeat him in battle. The journey would certainly provide the adventure they were looking for. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out for the cedar forest with enough supplies to last them for several weeks and weapons to use against Humbaba.

• call to action

• departure

• trials

• approach

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

They left the city of Uruk and began the journey across the flat plain which stretched out from the banks of the river. The two friends travelled very fast. Normally the journey would take six months but Gilgamesh and Enkidu took just fifteen days.

• call to action

• status quo

• departure

• result

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

They had only just touched their axes to the trees when they heard a terrible noise. They both froze where they stood.

• trials

• climax

• return

• result

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

They summoned the thirteen great winds with the help of the sun god Shamash.

• climax

• trials

• assistance

• call to action

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

Gilgamesh and Enkidu cut down many trees and chopped them into logs. They lashed the wood together and carried it from the forest. At the river they made a raft, loaded the logs onto it and set off downstream to Uruk.

• approach

• treasure

• trials

• return

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

After many days they reached the city. The people held celebrations to welcome home king Gilgamesh and Enkidu and listened to tales of their great adventures.

• assistance

• approach

• return

• resolution

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

The ENTIRE epic tells of Gilgamesh's quest to find

• love

• true friendship

• immortality

• fame

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5