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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's dreams are an example of what kind of narrative technique?

2. What things do the shepherds teach Enkidu?

3. How many dreams does Gilgamesh have on the journey to the forest?

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

5. How many winds come against Humbaba?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the barmaid tell Gilgamesh and what do her words foreshadow?

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

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

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

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

7. Describe Gilgamesh's attitude towards the journey to the forest.

8. Why must Gilgamesh confront the demon as soon as they arrive at the cedar forest?

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

10. Describe Gilgamesh's answer to Siduri about why his appearance is so rough.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Boasts and oaths before battle are common in epics. Gilgamesh offers such a boast before he battles Humbaba. Discuss the elements of the heroic boast. Why are such boasts performed? To what narrative technique are boasts similar?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the role of women in the Gilgamesh epic. The courtesan functions to lead Enkidu out of the woods and introduce him to civilization. This could be considered a good event or a bad event. Ishtar becomes enraged when Gilgamesh spurns her love. Ishtar does not easily let her anger go and calls down terrible curses on Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

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