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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. Why does Enkidu not like living in the city?

2. What does the courtesan use to clothe Enkidu?

3. What does Gilgamesh's mother tell him the two dreams mean?

4. What other people try to discourage Gilgamesh from undertaking his voyage to engage Humbaba?

5. What does Humbaba do to make Gilgamesh afraid?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss why Gilgamesh has such a difficult time dealing with Enkidu's death.

2. When Utnapishtim wakes Gilgamesh after seven days what does he tell him to do? Where does Urshanabi take Gilgamesh?

3. Describe the city of Uruk.

4. Why is Enkidu able to admit his fears openly while Gilgamesh cannot?

5. How does the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu continue to grow on their journey?

6. Describe Gilgamesh's lamentations for Enkidu.

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

8. Describe the Cedar Forest as Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter it.

9. How does Enkidu describe the gate to the cedar forest?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Enkidu and Gilgamesh are preparing to leave to battle Humbaba, no one offers advice to Enkidu. Ninsun cautions Enkidu to look after her son and see him back safely. The elders and townspeople do not seem worried about Enkidu's welfare or chances of survival. How do you interpret this scene? Is Enkidu ignored because the people are confident in his ability? Or would counseling Enkidu detract from the importance of Gilgamesh's journey?

Essay Topic 2

Gilgamesh has been on a great journey since he first met Enkidu. Enkidu is Gilgamesh's equal and the two have great adventures. However, Enkidu also represents the qualities that Gilgamesh lacks. Discuss Gilgamesh's journey to discover his own weaknesses and how he does or does not learn to accept them.

Essay Topic 3

In Tablet 3, Gilgamesh talks about the fleetness of man's life. In Tablet 7, Enkidu laments that he is dying a disgraceful death instead of on the battlefield. The importance of a man's deeds, how he dies, and the way he is remembered are significant themes to the Epic and other heroic tales. Discuss this theme in relation to Gilgamesh. How do his rash deeds lead to a heroic life and deeds remembered? How do Gilgamesh's actions affect Enkidu's life so that he must die a disgraceful death? Does one man have to sacrifice others in order to gain notoriety for himself?

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