Microtheme Essay

The epic of Gilgamesh fits Cambell’s idea of monomyth in a very precise manner. The story actually fits the monomyth two fold, first there is the adventure of with Enkidu which has all three stages and secondly the adventure for eternity also has all three stages, making this a very interesting epic.
In the first section there is the adventure of Enkidu. The first stage, or the departure stage, begins in two fold. In the first section of the story it occurs when in several areas. First, Enkidu tries to convince Gilgamesh not engage Humbaba because he knows of the demons power, this fulfills the refusal of the quest. Secondly, Gilgamesh has second thoughts about his ability to overpower Humbaba, fulfilling the Supernatural aid section. Other key parts are met as well but these were two of the major ones. Also, in the second section of the story after Enkidu dies these examples are met again.
Stage two occurs in both sections of the story as well. In the first section it is included several times. But in the second section the prime examples are when Gilgamesh meets with Siduri and she gives him advice, this fulfills the Meeting with the God/Goddess. Another a prime example is when Gilgamesh learns of the flood filling the apothesis section.
Stage three, or the return stage happens in both sections as well. In the first section it occurs on their return from defeating the demon Humbaba. It also occurs in the last section when Gilgamesh returns from his quest for eternity.
Overall this story is a very good example of Joseph Campbell’s example of a monomyth. Several or all of the examples from each stage are represented throughout the story in both the first section and second section.

The Heroic Story of Gunner the Great

Gunner the Great
Once upon a time there was a prince and a princess that were living happily ever after in Bozeman, MT. One day they decided that something was missing in their perfect little lives, they needed a dog! After rescuing the puppy, from the awful pound, the prince and princess grew to deeply love him. After months together the princess set forth on a voyage with Gunner their new puppy. While on their journey the princess was attacked by a brutal GIANT. Although little and not quite yet full grown Gunner jumped in the middle, fearless, and saves the princess from the attack of the GIANT. Thus, Gunner proved his love and loyalty to the ones that had once rescued his own life.

(Robert a.k.a. the prince in the story laughed at my version of what happened to me and our dog Gunner that day. By telling the story to Robert I learned that it is key to put emphasis on vocalization, whenever I lapped into a monotone he seemed to be almost disinterested where as when I raised and changed vocal tones he much more enjoyed what I had to say. While I already essentially knew this, it was very interesting to see it first hand.)

The Birth of Finn MacCumhail

Finn MacCumhail is this person that has these “mortal-like” occurrences. He survives the fate of being killed immediately after he is born. Then Finn grows up to become this amazing fighter to save the kings dun, while at the same time releasing all the prisoners from the kings castle. Finn does all of these fantasy things that no one else thought was possible or no one else had ever accomplished. I think from Joseph Campbell’s point of view of this character is the guy that saves the day, which allows everyone to live happily ever after. Finn is the good guy in which most people look up to and try to become. Joseph Campbell probably imagined being like Finn as a young child.

Myth in Popular Culture

1. Movies
Beouwulf
Lord of Rings
Sword in the Stone
ect...

2. Video Games
Oblivion - Begin as a common individual that ends up saving the kingdom.
Assassins Creed - Relive memories of an ancient assassin in biblical times.

3. Holidays
St. Patrick's Day - is a celebration of St. Patrick driving all of the snakes out of Ireland.
Valentines Day - cupid is based off of a Greek myth.

Myth: The Way We Were or the Way We Are?

“A traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. Stories or matter of this kind: realm of myth. Any invented story, idea, or concept: An imaginary or fictitious thing or person (Dictionary.com 2008).”

“Do you tend to think about myth as the way we were, or the way we are?” I personally think of myth as the way we were, but myth also allows us to have the ability to imagine the impossible. Myths are who we are as children, but it is also something that many of us outgrow within our own lifetimes. The main reason I think myth is the way we were is because we don’t hear of any new heroic or imaginative stories. As Bidney states in the article by Michael Sexson, “Myth is an outdated and inauthentic form of religious expression.” Myths “are” becoming outdated. They are a thing of the past that are being past down from generation to generation. If myth is the way that we are now, we realize what is fictional and also what is the truth.

myth. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth (accessed: May 24, 2008).

Sexson, Michael W. “Myth: The Way We Were or the Way We Are?” chp. 3 Varieties of Religious Expression. Pg 34-45.