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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 does Utnapishtim think about Gilgamesh's response?

2. Through the trees, what does Gilgamesh see?

3. Why is Urshanabi banished from the place for all time?

4. What does the wife of Utnapishtim urge her husband to give Gilgamesh?

5. What does Gilgamesh assure Enkidu?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ea give Utnapishtim? Why?

2. How does Sabitu react after Gilgamesh tells his story?

3. What does Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh that would allow him to return to Uruk honorably?

4. Why is the crow sent out? Why does it not return?

5. What does Sabitu explain to Gilgamesh that he will find on the shore?

6. What happens because of Gilgamesh's impatience?

7. What happens when Gilgamesh reaches the Mountains of Mashu?

8. What does the boatman say to Gilgamesh, regarding his quest?

9. What does Enkidu curse?

10. What does Utnapishtim begin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gilgamesh is adamant about finding Enkidu.

Part 1) Why is he so adamant?

Part 2) What does this strong desire to find Enkidu reveal about Gilgamesh's character?

Part 3) Why does he give up his life to be with Enkidu? Would you give your life up for someone else? Why or why not?

Part 4) Should Gilgamesh have chosen to die? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Gilgamesh does not take Shamash's advice when entering the underworld.

Part 1) What is Shamash's advice? Why does Gilgamesh not take his advice?

Part 2) What role does Shamash play in Gilgamesh's decision to not follow the rules of the underworld?

Part 3) How might the end of this story be different if Gilgamesh had followed the rules? What does this say about following rules and doing as one is supposed or expected to do?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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