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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 far do Gilgamesh and Enkidu walk each day?

2. Humbaba asks Gilgamesh to not do what to him?

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

4. What does Enkidu tell Gilgamesh is guarding the Cedar Forest?

5. Gilgamesh is ____________, while Enkidu is _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Gilgamesh's lamentations for Enkidu.

2. Compare and contrast Gilgamesh's insult to Ishtar with the one issued by Enkidu.

3. Describe the weapons Gilgamesh and Enkidu arm themselves with to fight Humbaba.

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

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

6. Describe the bull of heaven.

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

In Tablet 2, Column 3, Lines 10-14 the courtesan instructs Enkidu to eat the bread and drink the strong drink. Compare the wording of these lines to the words used in Christian communion ceremonies. There is a formulaic quality to the lines where the participant is instructed to "take and eat, take and drink." Are there any similarities between these lines? Gilgamesh is often compared with other Old Testament stories but the communion ritual comes from the last supper. Is there any evidence to support a connection between Gilgamesh and Christ's last supper?

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