Introduction to The Epic of Gilgamesh from World Literature Textbook, page 136
1.
Who was the historical Gilgamesh? When and where did he rule? In what country is that area
today?
2,
What is the genre of the original story of Gilgamesh? (Define epic.)
3.
In what kind of writing was the story recorded on clay tablets?
4.
What was the Mesopotamian concept of the afterlife?
Study Guide for Gilgamesh (verse narrative translation by Herbert Mason)
1.
Gilgamesh was king of __________, located between the _________________ and
_______________ rivers in ancient Babylonia. He was two-thirds ________ and one-third
________.
2.
_____________ grew up among animals. He ran with the animals and set them free from traps.
He was covered with hair.
3.
Describe Gilgamesh as a king. Was he a good or bad king? Explain your answer.
4.
When a hunter’s son tells Gilgamesh about Enkidu, what does Gilgamesh do and why?
5.
How is Enkidu changed?
6.
According to Ninsun, Gilgamesh’s mother, what is the meaning of his dreams?
7.
Describe the first meeting of Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
Part II
8.
What is the first adventure that Gilgamesh proposes to Enkidu?
What is Enkidu’s reaction? Why?
9.
What does Gilgamesh explain to the Elders? How do they react?
10.
What are the different feelings of Gilgamesh and Enkidu as they approach the gate to Humbaba’s
forest of cedars?
11.
During a restless night of dreams, what does Enkidu predict?
12.
What happens to Enkidu during the fight with Humbaba?
13.
Find a beautiful simile on page 41 and write it below.
What startling image is contrasted with this beauty?
14.
Who is Ishtar? (See page 96.)
What deal does Ishtar propose to Gilgamesh?
How does Gilgamesh respond?
15.
As punishment to Gilgamesh, what does Anu (Ishtar’s father) send to earth? Describe the fight that
results.
16.
What does Enkidu see in his feverish visions of the afterlife? What does he regret?
Part III
17.
How does Gilgamesh show his grief at Enkidu’s death?
What quest does Gilgamesh begin?
18.
To whom does Gilgamesh want to talk? Why?
19.
Gilgamesh arrives at the mountains of _______________, guarded by the ______________ people,
whose gaze kills people. Since Gilgamesh is two-thirds god, he survives. Despite the guards dire
predictions, Gilgamesh through the darkness inside the mountains. Still grieving, he arrives in a
beautiful valley beyond the mountain. He repeats to himself his goal of finding the secret of
_____________ _________.
20.
Whom does Gilgamesh meet in a cottage near the sea? What is her advice to Gilgamesh?
21.
When Gilgamesh insists on continuing his journey to see ___________________, Siduri directs him
to find the boatman, ______________________. Unfortunately, Gilgamesh smashes the stone
images (Scared Stones) that would have helped him cross the sea of death. Describe Gilgamesh’s
emotional state at this point.
22.
Gilgamesh cuts poles to push his boat across the sea of death. What happens to them as he
crosses?
23.
How is Gilgamesh received by Utnapishtim? What do they talk about?
24.
Story within a story: Utnapishtim tells a story of a great flood. Before the rains, the god ______
warned Utnapishtim to build a ship for his family, his precious items, and the seed of all living
creatures. The flood’s destruction was so great that even the gods and the goddess _________
regretted what they had done. On the __________th day the flood subsided. (Find the simile that
describes the receding water.)
What birds are sent out to find land?
What reward is given to Utnapishtim after the flood, and why is he “downcast”?
25.
After Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim’s wife, he falls asleep. Why does Utnapishtim mock him for
sleeping? Why does he have his wife bake bread? What is he trying to prove?
26.
What does Utnapishtim ask Urshanabi to do for Gilgamesh? What might these actions symbolize?
27.
What secret does Utnapishtim finally tell Gilgamesh? What does Gilgamesh quickly go to find?
28.
What happens to Gilgamesh’s prize?
Part IV –The Return
28.
What has Gilgamesh learned during his journey?
What kind of future is suggested by the ending?
29.
Other versions go further and say that Gilgamesh becomes a good king of Uruk, remembered for
his long journey and for returning with a story. His city and his story survive even though he did
not. With this ending, what is the “elixir” that Gilgamesh returns with?
Discuss:
How does Gilgamesh’s journey compare to the “hero’s journey” pattern outlined by Joseph Campbell?
Why is this epic so important in history and literature?