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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 Gilgamesh wonder about Utnapishtim?

2. Why does the dove that is released return?

3. Of what does Chapter Nine mark the beginning?

4. What does this plant do?

5. What does Gilgamesh assure Enkidu?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what does Sabitu remind Gilgamesh?

2. What must Gilgamesh do to reach Utnapishtim?

3. How does Gilgamesh respond to this dream? What happens to Enkidu?

4. What happens because of Gilgamesh's impatience?

5. What does Utnapishtim begin?

6. What does the King do when he sees Uruk?

7. How long does the storm last? What happens when the water begins to recede?

8. What does Ea give Utnapishtim? Why?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu are capable of beastial and compassionate behavior.

Part 1) Describe how they are both capable of beastial and compassionate behavior?

Part 2) How are they capable of such contrasting behaviors? What does this reveal about the characters?

Part 3) How does this behavior bring the two characters closer together, as well as engage the audience in this story?

Part 4) How does this behavior reflect human behavior?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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