Second Self and Destruction

  Each of the epics we (and Van Nortwick before us) analyzed involve—to no one’s surprise—a second self. The more complex element commonality is the destruction of that second self prior to the completion of the hero’s character. Taking this symbol literally is… disconcerting. My best friend is such because he is very, very different from me, but we share a kindred focus on understanding the world. My girlfriend views the world in ways I don’t and draws my attention to valuable information I would otherwise miss. I am keenly aware of the fact that I am less complete alone than I am with them.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, The Illiad, and the Aenead, reintegration is prompted by the loss of the second self. Literal extrapolation of this narrative element is… disconcerting. I don’t want to lose them so I can pick up the pieces that completed me. At the very least, I’d much rather them keep living, and I would greatly prefer to learn directly from them.

In this, I sense a conflict between our relational focus as human beings and our desire to become the strongest we can be. Blessedly, I believe that this conflict stems from a misunderstanding of what the death of the second self in the epic tradition actually represents. Most of the heroes in epics are prone not to reflect on themselves. They “don’t know what [they] have until it’s gone.” And if we’re that ignorant of our own surroundings—sure—we may need a wake-up call so severe as death to begin integration. Thankfully, if we keep our ego from clouding our judgement and recognize our weaknesses and our second selves’ strengths, we can begin integration under their mentorship, leading to a completion of self without the loss.

I’m not sure about anyone else, but that alternative is far more appealing to me.