Archtypes

Hero-Gilgamesh is the obvious hero of this story. He is a strong and powerful leader who is not afraid of facing death for something that he believes in. When he and Enkidu go to kill Humbaba he stays strong and keeps his wits, even though he is facing a power much greater than himself. He is also very persistant. He refuses to give up his quest for immortality even when he is all alone and the journey is long and difficult. In addition to all of these qualities he is also very loyal. He is extremely loyal to Enkidu and goes to great lengths to try and bring him back from the dead. Even though it is not the best idea to temper with immortality, the thought behind his actions was good.

Antihero- I think that the antihero is also Gilgamesh. Although he does have many of the qualities of a hero, he also has many of the antihero. Once when he and Enkidu are on their way to kill Humbaba he loses his courage and is frightened. Luckily for him he had Enkidu there to keep things together and keep him from panicking until he has recovered. He also has a great pride. He has his people do great labor and work for o apparent reason and demands to sleep with brides before their husbands simply because it is his right as king. He also goes to kill Humbaba for no other reason than because he is more powerful than Gilgamesh and he has to show his superiority.

Wise Fool- Utnapishtim is the wise fool. He is regarded as stupid or ignorant by Gilgamesh because he does not prize his immortality, something that Gilgamesh strives for with great zeal. He thinks that he is a fool for taking something so great for granted, however Utnapishtim turns out to be very wise as he realizes that living forever is not in fact a gift at all but a burden.

Devil Figure- Ishtar is the most fitting devil figure. She seems to wreak havoc wherever she goes. Gilgaesh even says in part two that her love brings only war. When Gilgamesh refuses her marriage proposal she gets very angry and seeks revenge by asking her father to send down a drought in the form of a Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh, and his people. Her evil side is shown again when she sends a flood to punish her people. The flood is extreme and has horrible, drastic effects. Even Ishtar realizes her mistake and that she was wrong to punish her people in such a way.

Outcast-Enkidu is the Outcast all throughout the book. At the beginning he is and outcast from humans because he is part animal part man. Frowned upon because he is not as good as a person. Then when the prostitute comes and sleeps with him and he is 'humanized' so to speak, his animal friends desert him. They are ashamed of him and he is then an outcast in the eyes of the animals, where he remains until his death.

Double-I think that the best choice for the double is Ishtar. She seems to have this great internal conflict throughout the book. It is almost as if she cannot decide whether or she wants to help, or hurt those around her. She decides to punish her people for their sins, but then realizes that she was wrong and that she was too harsh on her people. “Ishtar cried out like a woman at the height of labor: O how could I have wanted to do this to my people! They were hers, notice. Even her sorrow was posessive. Even though Ishtar obviously has a temper issue and could be considered evil, she still realizes her mistakes. She seems to act like an impulsive child. She lashes out in the heat of the moment when she gets angry, without pausing to consider the repercussions of her acts.

Scapegoat- The scapegoat is Enkidu. Either Gilgamesh or Enkidu must die as punishment for killing Humbaba and the Bull of heaven. Enkidu is chosen to be the punished simply because Gilgamesh is part god and part man, thus excluding him from the wrath of the Gods. Since Enkidu is just half man and half animal, he is the obvious choice for the punishment. He is the offering that the gods take themselves to make up for the loss of the Bull and Humbaba.

Temptress- I think that the thing that best fits the temptress is immortality. It is seen as this beautiful, wonderous thing. Everyone is longing for it, yet it 'destroys those who obtain it. Utnapishtim was given immortality by the gods after he followed their command and build a boat that would last the flood that they sent out to wipe out the city of Shurrupak, because it's inhabitance were defying the Gods, trying to be equal to them by searching for immortality. Utnaishtim was the only man who did not seek for this forbiddion trait, and so was in the end 'rewarded' with it. He didn't think of it as much of a reward because he knew the destructive repercussions that come with being immortal. When he is speaking to Gilgamesh about immortality and mortality he says, “I envy your freedom.” (page 80) As beautiful and tempting as the idea of immortality may seem, it will only bring about destruction and ill fortune.

The Good Mother- The good mother in the the story of Gilgamesh is, in my oppinion, Siduri. Although Ninsun, Gilgamesh's actual birth mother, would have been another good choice, I think that Siduri fits the role a little bit better. Siduri is the barmaid who takes Gilgamesh in and consols him after Enkidu dies. She gives him a place to stay and does every possible thing she can to make him feel better. The book says, “Then she took pity on him and let him enter and lie down and rest. She gave him her bed to fall into and sleep and rubbed his back and neck and legs and arms.” (Page 63)