IV: The Search for Everlasting Life
1. Gilgamesh begins another heroic quest in this section. Following the outline of the heroic
journey, what “calls” Gilgamesh to undertake this journey? Where will he go? Who and what
does he seek?
2. Read the introduction (p.36). Explain the “lost significance of the lion” as it relates to page 97 .
3.What “unknown zone” will he first enter? Who are this zone’s “threshold guardians”? Describe
them. What dangers do these guardians warn Gilgamesh await him?
3. The literal darkness present in the mountains is symbolic of human emotion. What emotions or
conflicts might this darkness symbolize? How does the fact that Gilgamesh comes out of this
pass into a place of beauty and light further this symbolism? What does the garden of beauty
and light symbolize?
4. Read introduction (p.37). On his quest for immortality, how does Gilgamesh literally and
metaphorically trace the sun’s journey?
5. Who and what are the next threshold and guardians that Gilgamesh must face?
6. Both of the threshold guardians and even Gilgamesh’s protector god Shamash also act as
archetypal counselors or “sage” figures. Explain.
7. How is Siduri’s role as counselor especially relevant to all people? Explain her words of counsel.
8. Read introduction (page 38).Look up the words “Hedonism” and “Epicurean.” How does Siduri’s
advice correspond with these philosophical movements? On p.38 of the introduction, it states
that winekeepers were known and used by poets to express “reality revealed.” How does Siduri
follow this traditional role?
9. When Gilgamesh stubbornly refuses Siduri’s words of advice, she gives him alternate
instructions. What does she say to do? Who does she say to find?
10. What struggles or tests will Gilgamesh face if he enters the next “unknown zone”?
11. In anger, what does Gilgamesh rashly do that threatens his opportunity of finding Utnapishtim?
What does Urshanabi tell Gilgamesh to do? Why?
12. Another quality of the hero is resourcefulness. How does Gilgamesh show this trait during his
passage over the waters of death?
13. Read the introduction (p. 38-39). What is Dilmun? Research the Elysium Fields discussed on
these pages. How are these places similar, even though they arise from different times and
cultures?
14. Utnapishtim uses metaphorical questions to illustrate what universal idea?
15. The Revelation of a mystery is another archetype. What mystery will Utnapishtim reveal?
V: The Story of the Flood
1. Why do Enlil and the other gods decide to destroy mankind?
2. Who warns Utnapishtim and tells him to build a boat? What motif is employed once again? How
is the archetypal symbolism of water appropriate here?
3. Note the repetition of the number seven throughout the epic. Seven days Gilgamesh mourned
Enkidu, the seven splendors of Humbaba, seven decks were built on the ship, and the boat was
completed on the seventh day. What archetypal significance does the number seven have?
4. What does he take onto the boat?
5. List two other mentions of the archetypal symbolism of the number seven(p 110-111).
6. Why is Enlil angry?
7. For what universal mistake concerning the basic psychology of human behavior does Ea scold
Enlil?
8. Who granted immortality to Utnapishtim and his wife and where do they live?
9. Read Genesis Chapters 6-8 from the Bible. Note the number 120. Where does it occur? How
does number connect to the section about the passage of Gilgamesh and Urshanabi? Is there a
symbolic connection here? Speculate.
10.After reading the chapters from the Bible, first note the archetypal connection to the number
seven. What connections are made to this number in the Biblical flood story?
11.Now compare and contrast the two stories. What are their similarities? What are their
differences? Use the two separate texts and pages (40-42) of the introduction to help you. You may
make a chart if you wish.
Note: The entire “flood story” is archetypal since there are over 500 accounts from the ancient
world of a flood at about the same time period!!!
VI: The Return
1. The hero is always “put to the test.” Explain the bread test and its results. What might the bread
symbolize?
2. The code of hospitality was honored in ancient cultures. A guest was treated graciously
(through provisions for food, a bath, and fresh clothing after a long journey) and often was
offered a gift to take home. Explain how that code applies here.
3. What “irony” does Gilgamesh experience when he receives the clothes that will show “no sign
of age” at the “Spring of Youth.” Read the introduction page 42 to find the answer.
4. Why does Utnapishtim banish Urshanabi from the land of immortality? Cite the Biblical parallels
of this archetypal situation of being cast out of paradise.
5. Describe the plant of immortality and give its name. How does this plant represent an
archetypal plot episode or situation that permeates literature and even the movies today?
6. We are not given the exact reasons why Gilgamesh wishes to save the plant and eat it in Uruk.
Perhaps it is to “gloat” and show his greatness directly to his people. Perhaps he fears danger in
the plant and wishes to “test it out” on an old man of the city. However, many literary analysts
believe that this decision of Gilgamesh shows a positive change in characterization. In this vein
of thinking, why might he have chosen to bring the plant home?
7. A serpent steals Gilgamesh’s hope of a second youth. Instead of viewing the serpent as a symbol
of evil, we can understand the Eastern symbolism of the serpent in this account. Explain. What
aspect of the serpent’s existence accounts for this interpretation?
8. Gilgamesh is once again reminded of his humanity when he fails to succeed in his task. How do
you know that he has finally accepted his mortality?
9. Gilgamesh has failed to gain what he sought, but he has obtained the archetypal “elixir” of the
hero journey. This elixir is an alternate form of immortality. Evidence of this knowledge is seen
in the things he draws to Urshanabi’s attention as they re-enter Uruk. Explain, and use the
similar ideas found in the Biblical book of Psalms, verses 12-13, to support your answer.
10. The last aspect of the archetypal hero journey is the return. What will Gilgamesh “give back” to
his people from his journey?
11. One archetypal idea is that of the “Circle of life.” How is this archetypal idea seen through the
return of Gilgamesh, his ideas of mortality, and even the presence of Urshanabi?
12. Read page 47 of the introduction (last paragraph before section 9). How are we both like
Gilgamesh and yet different from him as it relates to his world and his journeys? Explain your
answer.
VII: The Death of Gilgamesh
1. In this section, the narrator reflects on the power and legend of Gilgamesh. These reflections shine a
light on the duties and responsibilities of any leader, in this case King Gilgamesh. What words of wisdom
can one take from these statements about the responsibilities of leadership and the trials and triumphs
of being a leader?
2. The lament is an archetypal plot episode. Gilgamesh’s people lament his death and give offerings in
his honor. Find three of the characters they offer sacrifices to and explain their connection to
Gilgamesh’s fate.