Gilgamesh Epic: A Psychological Study of a Modern Ancient Hero

by Rivkah Schärf Kluger

It was at the instigation of C.G. Jung that Dr. Kluger undertook the interpretation of the Gilgamesh Epic, the oldest known epic-myth. A classic in world literature, it originated in the Sumero-Babylonian culture, a vital root of modern Western civilization. Rich in poetic imagery and archetypal content, it has not lost its meaning for modern man. In this book, based primarily on her seminars at the Zurich Jung Institute, Dr. Kluger deals with the psychological significance of the hero-king’s fateful adventures, from his building of the city walls to his travel to the "Babylonian Noah" in search of immortality, for which her expertise in the fields of comparative religion and Jungian psychology uniquely fit her. In her vivid yet scholarly presentation, she brings alive the implications of the fascinating episodes of this myth both on a personal and on a collective level; the changes of individual consciousness, and its reactions to unconscious (archetypal) contents, the evolving process of individuation, and the development of religion. Using modern dreams and examples from analytic practice, she shows the relevance of this ancient myth for today’s world and its concerns, from sexuality and homosexuality, the role of the feminine and the still living goddess Ishtar, to the current spiritual search of contemporary mankind.

Genres: Psychology, Mythology, Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

O personagem mesopotâmico Gilgamesh é considerado o primeiro herói do mundo. Ou, pelo menos, o primeiro herói mitológico cujos feitos foram registrados de maneira escrita. Gilgamesh é ao primeiro modelo masculino difundido na história humana e, ao mesmo tempo, seu conto também traz o primeiro registro de uma relação homossexual. No caso, a relação é com Enkidu, o princípio selvagem do homem, enquanto Gilgamesh é o herói da civilização. A trajetória heroica de Gilgamesh o leva para um protótipo do inferno, o subterrâneo, e o faz se relacionar com Enkidu, tudo isso para encontrar o equilíbrio na sua vida, e não apenas para a sua existência mas para a ordem das coisas e dos poderes que são, a missão geral dos heróis. Embora o livro traga boas análises sobre o significado de Gilgamesh, um dos problemas principais dele é não trazer a história completa do mito, para aí então ser analisada com propriedade pelo leitor.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly my favorite myth and jungian analysis. It's a tremendous story of the hero's journey. Well written, engaging, and enlightening. I recommend above all other books.

[Bill Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important work IF you accept Jungian archetypal theories. The point of the book is that the female dominated polytheistic religions were giving way to the male dominated monotheism as seen in the Bible.

[J. Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and important account and brilliant interpretations of the West's earliest epic.

[Elizabeth Tangora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting take on the epic that deserves an upgrade; a lot of the gaps in the text that the author has to work around have been filled in by now, and further support her argument. I took off one star, maybe unfairly, because I found the audience responses a little weird in the way they seem to come out of nowhere: one minute Dr. Kluger is chugging along in full academic-paper-form, and then the next she asks a question and sorts through audience responses she likes or doesn't. I understand that it was necessary since the work was published post-humously, so Dr. Kluger's husband had to go back to her lectures (and I support his minimal editing) but The bottom line is that it's weird. There needs to be a bit more context given of the conference or the respondents, because as is it's like these disembodied voices rise up to challenge Kluger, and within a Jungian myth analysis that's rather overwhelming.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivkah Scharf Kluger's "The Archtypal Significance of Gilgamesh: A Modern Ancient Hero" is an interesting look at the significance of Gilgamesh in relation to other ancient literature. It includes a lot of insightful information on what different parts of the Epic represent in terms of the Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations. For the most part, she uses Alexander Heidel's translation of the epic for her observations. The only weakness of this book as far as I am concerned, is that it was put together after the author's death, and much of it is clearly based on her lectures. I think if she had a chance to organize her materials into book form, the result would have been even better. As it is, this is still a very good resource for those interested in learning more about the Gilgamesh epic.