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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. Unable to revive his friend, what does Gilgamesh do?

2. What does Gilgamesh wonder about Utnapishtim?

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

4. How many straight poles must Gilgamesh cut down?

5. What do most of the gods want?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Of what does Sabitu remind Gilgamesh?

3. How does Utnapishtim's wife describe Gilgamesh?

4. What does the scorpion-man urge Gilgamesh to do? How does Gilgamesh respond?

5. What must Gilgamesh do to reach Utnapishtim?

6. What does Enkidu curse?

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 9 begins the second episode of the epic of Gilgamesh.

Part 1) Describe this second episode. What is the purpose of this episode?

Part 2) How does this second episode reveal more of Gilgamesh's character?

Part 3) How is your opinion of Gilgamesh changed during this episode?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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