View a FREE sample

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. What things do the shepherds teach Enkidu?

3. Humbaba promises to be Gilgamesh's what if left alive?

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

5. The elders tell Gilgamesh that he is young and __________ has carried him away in proposing to battle Humbaba.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Enkidu's relationship with the shepherds.

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

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

6. Why are the gods responsible for creating a second man to be a counterpart to Gilgamesh?

7. Why do the scorpion people finally agree to let Gilgamesh pass through the gates into the mountain paths?

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

9. Why is Enkidu able to admit his fears openly while Gilgamesh cannot?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Enkidu is a man without a family, without title, and without anyone to remember him when he is gone. Ninsun speaks with him before he leaves with Gilgamesh to face Humbaba. Ninsun adopts him as her own son and gives him gifts similar to those that Gilgamesh receives as her son. The hero who does not have a family is often adopted by those he aides. A similar scene occurs in Beowulf when Hrothgar "adopts" Beowulf. Discuss the implications of Ninsun adopting Enkidu as her own. What does this adoption mean for Enkidu? How will it affect his life compared with being a nameless man living among the shepherds and beasts?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the similarities between Utnapishtim's flood story and the Biblical account of Noah and the flood. What is the symbolism of the flood? Why do you think at least one man is saved in each story?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample