Constructivist Retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh: Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Storytelling meets a fundamental human need, as narratives bring continuity, identity, and agency to an otherwise meaningless human experience. The retelling of stories not only facilitates connections but also allows new perspectives to emerge. Through a constructivist lens, we illustrate that The Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written story known in human history, has a great deal of relevance to present times, where the COVID-19 pandemic presents itself as a once-in-a century challenge to human societies across the globe. Using a narrative framework, we accentuate the necessary elements that facilitate the narrative reconstructions in face of grief and loss stemming from the pandemic, as informed by the heroic story. We discuss the implications pertinent to mental health practitioners as well as at the broader societal level.