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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. Gilgamesh is ____________, while Enkidu is _____________.

2. What things do the shepherds teach Enkidu?

3. What is the name of the god to whom Ninsun prays?

4. Where is Enkidu raised?

5. What does Enkidu forget when he is sitting before the courtesan?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Ninsun wear to pray to Shamash? Why does she dress this way?

4. Describe Enkidu's relationship with the shepherds.

5. Describe Gilgamesh's dreams.

6. Discuss Enkidu's interpretations of Gilgamesh's dreams.

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

8. Describe the garden which greets Gilgamesh once he journeys through the darkness of the mountain pass.

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

10. How does Gilgamesh's decision to cut down all the trees of the cedar forest represent his continued rashness and inability to exercise moderation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Siduri tells Gilgamesh that the only way to cross the sea is with Utnapishtim's boatman. The sea that he must cross are waters of death. Death is what Gilgamesh is most afraid of. Discuss the significance of Gilgamesh desiring to cross the sea of death in order to find the way to immortality.

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

Tablet 3, Column 6, Line 229 notes that Gilgamesh cries after an unrecorded address by the elders. Why do you think the young hero cries at this point? Is he behaving like a pouty child who is being prevented from having his way? Or does Gilgamesh have a moment of realization where the weight of what he has vowed to accomplish hits him? Epic heroes cannot back out of boasts once they are issued so Gilgamesh must follow through with his stated intentions.

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