Psychoanalytic and Anthropological Considerations of Gilgamesh: A Lost Illusion

The Gilgamesh Epic—a myth dating back almost 5000 years—has been handed down from ancient Babylonian times in several fragments. It is the heroic story of a futile quest for physical immortality and the problems of life that confront us in relation to our own mortality. It gives us insight into conscious and unconscious experiences of power and sexuality and struggles to overcome the ‘human condition’. This book considers the basic text of the myth in the light of anthropological and psychoanalytic concepts, comparing socio-cultural factors and the interpersonal structures of these times with those of the present day. Myths portray human struggles against overpowering opponents, the search for immortality or eternal youth and even journeys into the underworld. As such, they have always had a therapeutic and educational potential. As this book shows, they are the powerful, creative expression of human experiences and longings, seeking to alleviate life’s difficulties and transmitting values.