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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 appointed Humbaba protector of the forest?

2. Who does Gilgamesh's mother pray to for protection for her son?

3. What does Humbaba do to make Gilgamesh afraid?

4. How many goblets of strong drink does Enkidu drink after the courtesan teaches him to drink properly?

5. What is stilled into silence when the men behold the forest?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Enkidu already know about death because of his upbringing in the wilderness?

3. Describe the items Isthar promises Gilgamesh if he will become her husband.

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

5. When Enkidu tells Gilgamesh about Humbaba the demon is he trying to warn Gilgamesh? Why does Gilgamesh not listen?

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

7. What effect do the missing lines of interpretation have on Gilgamesh's dreams?

8. Discuss why Enkidu is angered by news of the celebration in Uruk.

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

10. Why is Urshanabi prevented from immediately conducting Gilgamesh across the sea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Tablet 2, the author notes that Enkidu listened to the courtesan's advice and took the words of a woman to heart. There is an ominous connotation to these lines. A man who took the words of a woman seriously was not viewed as intelligent. Discuss the implications for Enkidu's life since he is now listening to the courtesan's advice on how to live his life. Relate your discussion to Enkidu's later illness and the curse, followed by the blessing, he calls down upon the courtesan.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Tablet 5, Column 4, Line 6 which reads, "His tears [gushed forth] in streams." To whom does the line refer? Shamash was speaking in the lines just prior to this line. Gilgamesh is speaking in Line 7. There is no clear indication who is crying or why. Gilgamesh may be crying tears of joy because Humbaba has been defeated. Enkidu may be crying for no apparent reason. Humbaba, the demon, may even be crying because he has been defeated. Discuss the line and who you think could be the party responsible for crying.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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