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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 does the wife of Utnapishtim describe Gilgamesh?

2. What does one of the scorpion-men do upon seeing Gilgamesh?

3. Why does the dove that is released return?

4. What is Utnapishtim doing at the beginning of this chapter?

5. What does Sabitu ask Gilgamesh about his appearance?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Utnapishtim respond to Gilgamesh's quest?

3. What does Ea give Utnapishtim? Why?

4. How does the wine maiden, Sabitu, react to Gilgamesh's appearance?

5. What does Utnapishtim agree to tell Gilgamesh?

6. What does Enkidu curse?

7. How does Gilgamesh arrive at the short of the Bitter River?

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

9. What must Gilgamesh do to reach Utnapishtim?

10. How does Gilgamesh lose the magic weed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The behavior of these gods is often cruel and unpredictable.

Part ) How is their behavior cruel and unpredictable? Are you surprised by this behavior? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does this behavior compare to the behavior of humans? How does the behavior of both the gods and humans compare to your opinion about typical god-like or human behavior?

Part 3) How does the behavior of the gods affect both other gods and humans?

Part 4) How does the behavior of these gods reflect the beliefs of the people during which this story was created?

Essay Topic 3

Enkidu agrees to do as the elders request, regarding Gilgamesh.

Part 1) What do they request? Why do they request this?

Part 2) Why does Enkidu agree to this request? What does this reveal about his character?

Part 3) How is this decision by Enkidu significant to the characters and the plot?

Part 4) What message does Enkidu's decision send to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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