Character Archetypes in the Epic of Gilgamesh by Nkosazana Burke-Douglas https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd Made with big dreams en-us 2021-04-23 14:00:37 UTC 2025-10-21 11:17:42 UTC hello@padlet.com MENTOR- Son of Hunter 3268061 https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1451994937 “Please do not kill him. He dances with the animals. He is almost a man.”  ( Lines 96-98 Scene 2)
This quote shows that the hunter’s son fits this archetype because he acts as a noble guide to help the characters avoid conflict. The hunter’s son has the mentality of most guides in stories, directing the supporting characters to a less disputeful atmosphere. Without his archetype taking place, there would be no doubt that the story would become brutal, full of confrontation, and war. ]]> 2021-04-23 14:37:10 UTC https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1451994937 CHILD OF THE FOREST-Enkidu 3268061 https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452031290 “And his feet seem rooted to the good earth.”  ( Lines 8-9 Scene 7)

Endkidu fit the archetype of the child in the forest because of him being accustomed to the wild adaptations. Enkidu is used to the environment of living in the wild and has no knowledge of the violent land ahead. He is considered an societal outsider, naive and unaware of worldly thing until he loses his innocence by the lady in red.]]> 2021-04-23 14:44:26 UTC https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452031290 TEMPTRESS- Woman of the Red Sashes 3268061 https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452036044 “A forest. The Woman of Red Sashes dances, holding a dagger. Her garment is translucent, revealing. She beckons Enkidu to her, but he hesitates. Finally, he reaches for her hair, touches her face, her breasts. Her sighs of pleasure draw him to her, closer and closer. Twilight…..I am a man.They laugh.
You are a woman.”  ( Lines in itallics on scene 3 21-23)

The Woman of the Red Sashes fits the archetype of temptress because she uses her sexuality to tempt Enkidu. Enkidu, previously being naive to the state of mankind, gets tempted by knowledge and sexuality and the woman in the red shoes takes this as an opportunity to take advantage of Enkidu. The woman in the red takes part in Enkidu’s transition from an innocent child in the wild into a man in civilization.


]]> 2021-04-23 14:45:21 UTC https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452036044 HERO-Gilgamesh 3268061 https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452038287 “The dream I have in my head will bring us luck. We will strip his evil down to death signs among the leaves.”  ( Lines 152-156 Scene 7)

Gilgamesh is an archetypal hero because of his bravery and determination. In the quote above, he exhibits these attributes, determined to fight against the obstacles in the way. Despite this thought being a “dream” he is brave enough to take a chance to take down Humbaba for retribution.
]]> 2021-04-23 14:45:50 UTC https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452038287 COMPANION- Enkindu 3268061 https://padlet.com/3268061/crhw69n7n9k9mmyd/wish/1452043477 “Friend, if you were at my side,
measuring footstep for footstep,
the tallest of those cedars
would fall and rise as a gate
to our city, and no squad
of renegades or clan’s battering ram
could smash it to a heap of splinters.”  ( Lines 199-126 Scene 7)

Enkindu also fits the archetype of companion as Gilgamesh and enkidu realize they can't fight because of their similar strengths. In the quote above, Gilgamesh admits to himself that Enkidu would be the perfect companion for him when faced with challenges. Enkidu being the humble person he is will greatly benefit Gilgamesh, ultimately making him a better person.
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