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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. What do the elders request of Enkidu?

2. Who does Ishtar gather together?

3. What does Ninsun possess?

4. In his dream, what is Gilgamesh doing?

5. What does the double-edged axe symbolize?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the hunter? What does he do in reaction to this?

2. What eclipses Enkidu entrance into the city?

3. How does this wall affect the people of Uruk?

4. What happens when Harim leads Enkidu into Uruk?

5. How does Ishtar threaten Gilgamesh?

6. What takes place when Enkidu comes upon the King?

7. How does Enkidu react to the young priestess?

8. How does Ishtar react to the battle between Humbaba and the two friends?

9. What happens when Enkidu begins to overcome Gilgamesh?

10. How are the heroes greeted by the citizens of Uruk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gilgamesh's immortality is not meant to be.

Part 1) Why is it not meant to be? At what point in the story did you realize he would not gain immortality?

Part 2) How does his mortality affect those around him? How does he feel about his own mortality? Why does he feel this way?

Part 3) After reading this story, what are your thoughts on immortality? Does immortality make life better? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

This story serves a purpose.

Part 1) What purpose does it serve?

Part 2) How might those hearing or reading this story when it was first created react to it differently than readers today? Why?

Part 3) Why is this considered an epic? Are there any stories in your culture that you would consider epics? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The goddess Ishtar is initially enraged by the battle between Humbaba and the two men.

Part 1) Why is she enraged by the battle? How is her opinion changed?

Part 2) How does this change in her attitude reflect her personality?

Part 3) How does this change in her behavior affect the two men and the plot? How might the story have been different if her attitude regarding Gilgamesh had not changed?

(see the answer keys)

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