DICHOTOMY BETWEEN BODY AND SOUL/MIND IN THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH AND THOMAS MANN’S THE TRANSPOSED HEADS

Given the complexity and awkwardness of human beings both physically and psychologically, human nature is equally difficult to comprehend. This has made it a significant topic of discussion throughout history. This article examines the struggle between body and soul/mind predicated upon Plato’s theory, which delves into their differences. The primary question explored is whether the body or soul is the determining factor. Plato argues for the supremacy of the soul over the body, using metaphors and logical arguments presented in dialogues to reinforce his points. In terms of body and soul, Plato addresses issues of justice, virtue, goodness, morality, and truth, all of which contribute to the ideal soul necessary for achieving philosophical knowledge. According to Plato, the body, bound by the deceptions of the physical world, hinders the soul's ability to reach the realm of the Forms or Ideas. This conceptual framework is extensively analyzed in Plato’s Republic, where all these terms and ideas are thoroughly explored. Plato’s theory is examined through a comparative analysis of the ancient myth The Epic of Gilgamesh and its modern reinterpretation, The Transposed Heads by the German author Thomas Mann. The study investigates the dichotomy between body and soul by analyzing the distinct yet complementary characteristics of the main characters (Gilgamesh-Enkidu and Shridaman-Nanda) in both works, drawing parallels to the relationship between body and soul.