McGlaughlin
NOTE: Put page number(s) in your answers
Each section MUST be on a separate page. You may use the back of the paper.
Introduction and Prologue [8 points]
1. Gilgamesh is the king of what city?
2. What region is this?
3. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a mixture of what three things?
4. Gilgamesh is the first _______________ of whom anything is known.
5. Gilgamesh is described as being an individual man in search of __________ and __________ .
6. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the “finest surviving epic poem from any period” up until what piece of literature?
7. Describe character traits of Gilgamesh.
8. Who is Enkidu? (also look in the Glossary)
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Tablet One (THE COMING OF ENKIDU)
1. How was Enkidu created?
[7 points]
2. A trapper tells his father about Enkidu’s escapades 1 . What does the trapper’s father tell his son to do?
3. After Enkidu and the woman meet, who/what flees from Enkidu?
4. The woman says she will take Enkidu to Uruk to meet Gilgamesh. She admonishes (warns) Enkidu to stop his boasting because Gilgamesh is “stronger than you.” What does she tell Enkidu about Gilgamesh?
5. What does Enkidu eat and drink that make him “become a man”?
6. What are the citizens of Uruk saying about Gilgamesh?
7. What happenes when Enkidu and Gilgamesh meet?
1 something exciting or adventurous that somebody does or is involved in, especially something showing recklessness or disregard for authority
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Tablet Two (THE FOREST JOURNEY) [6 points]
1. Enlil had prescribed (pronounced) the destiny of Gilgamesh. What was his advice?
2. Gilgamesh tells Enkidu what worries him.
A. What is it?
B. What do you think he means by this?
3. What does Gilgamesh want to do in the Land of Cedars?
4. Who is Humbaba? Describe him.
5. Who is Lugulbanda?
6. What happened in the battle between Gilgamesh and Humbaba?
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Tablet Three (ISHTAR AND GILGAMESH, DEATH OF ENKIDU)
1. What does Ishtar want from Gilgamesh?
2. A. What is Gilgamesh’s response?
B. What is his reason?
3. What does Ishtar do after hearing Gilgamesh’s response?
4. What does she say she will do?
5. What was her father’s response?
6. What happens in the encounter between Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven?
7. What does Enkidu dream?
[8 points]
8. What happens to Enkidu? Be specific.
To answer in class: What are the two things Enkidu does that cause his downfall? (notes/discussion from class)
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Tablet Four (SEARCH FOR EVERLASTING LIFE)
1. Who does Gilgamesh go to see because he is afraid of death?
2. What do the gods give him?
3. Why does Gilgamesh want to see this person (your answer in question 1)?
4. A. What does Gilgamesh need to cross in order to reach his destination?
B. How long did it take him?
5. What does Urshanabi warn him not to do?
6. What does Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh?
[6 points]
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Tablet Five, Six, Seven
Tablet 5 = THE STORY OF THE FLOOD
Tablet 6 = THE RETURN
Tablet 7 = THE DEATH OF GILGAMESH
1. What do the gods determine to do to the world?
[10 points]
2. What does Ea, god of wisdom and one of the creators of humankind, tell Utnapishtim to do?
Be specific, provide description.
3. How long do the winds blow and the flood overwhelm the world?
4. What does Utnapishtim do when the flooding stops? (3 things)
5. Gilgamesh sleeps for seven days. How does Utnampishtim’s wife keep count of the days
Gilgamesh slept?
6. What secret does Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh?
7. Who/What takes the plant from Gilgamesh?
8. Enlil tells Gilgamesh that he was given the kingship, but that everlasting life was not his destiny.
Enlil tells Gilgamesh not to despair because he has been given other things. What are they?
9. Enlil also gives Gilgamesh advice on what not to do. What is his advice?
10. How would you describe Gilgamesh? What are his character traits?
Page 6 of 6