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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who pulls Gilgamesh from under the toppled mountain in his dream?

2. What do the people of Uruk do with the axe in Gilgamesh's dream?

3. What is the name of the city Gilgamesh builds?

4. How does Enkidu react to Gilgamesh's dreams?

5. Where is Enkidu raised?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Gilgamesh decide to find and why does he wish to talk to this person/thing?

2. Describe the encounter Gilgamesh has in which the snake steals the plant of youth.

3. What two things does Gilgamesh dream about and what does his mother say they mean?

4. Why does Enkidu not like living in the city?

5. Describe the fight between Enlil and Shamash over which man will die - Gilgamesh or Enkidu.

6. Describe what Enkidu sees in his dream of the underworld.

7. What legend surrounds Gilgamesh's birth?

8. Describe the disappointment awaiting Gilgamesh when he finally meets Utnapishtim.

9. Why are the gods responsible for creating a second man to be a counterpart to Gilgamesh?

10. What does the flood and the salvation of one family represent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss fear as it is used in the story. Gilgamesh is afraid to admit when he is afraid but he cries after hearing the elders' description of Humbaba. Enkidu is not afraid to voice his concerns. Enkidu seems to understand that fear can be a positive attribute for a man. Is fear a positive attribute in a hero?

Essay Topic 2

When Gilgamesh identifies himself to Siduri, he lists the accomplishments of his life. He also lists these accomplishments when describing Enkidu. Discuss why these accomplishments are so important to Gilgamesh's life. Relate your discussion to class discussions throughout the book that focused on the importance of a man leaving some sort of legacy for himself and dying a valiant death.

Essay Topic 3

Enkidu is a man without a family, without title, and without anyone to remember him when he is gone. Ninsun speaks with him before he leaves with Gilgamesh to face Humbaba. Ninsun adopts him as her own son and gives him gifts similar to those that Gilgamesh receives as her son. The hero who does not have a family is often adopted by those he aides. A similar scene occurs in Beowulf when Hrothgar "adopts" Beowulf. Discuss the implications of Ninsun adopting Enkidu as her own. What does this adoption mean for Enkidu? How will it affect his life compared with being a nameless man living among the shepherds and beasts?

(see the answer keys)

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