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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. How many layers of armor does Humbaba usually wear?

2. What happens to Enkidu's hand when he tries to open the gate?

3. How long are Enkidu and the woman together?

4. Gilgamesh's dreams are a realization of his personal what?

5. How many winds come against Humbaba?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Enkidu counsel Gilgamesh to do with Humbaba and why?

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

3. Describe Gilgamesh's journey through the mountain paths of Mashu.

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

5. Describe Enkidu and Gilgamesh's relationship.

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

7. After hearing about Ishtar's many lovers, what type of woman/goddess do you think she is?

8. Describe Enkidu's relationship with the shepherds.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many lines are missing throughout the story. Some are uninterpretable, while others have been destroyed by wear and tear or lost altogether. Discuss the impact missing lines have on the story. How do they affect understanding of events? How difficult is it for translators to piece together a complete story from different manuscripts each with missing lines?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Humbaba is not ready for battle when Gilgamesh and Enkidu arrive. As the defender of the forest it seems that the guardian should be ready to meet enemies at all times. Discuss the reasons Humbaba may not be ready for battle? Discuss also the implications of a demon guardian who must wear special armor in order to be invincible? Does the timing of Gilgamesh's arrival indicate a favorable outcome?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,031 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample