Study Questions for Gilgamesh
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Homework for Tuesday, November 27
Read Gilgamesh Tablet I- V (pages 7 – 16) and answer the following questions with complete sentences. Use the back of the sheet if necessary. This assignment is worth 20 points.
1. The story opens by praising Gilgamesh. List three of Gilgamesh’s accomplishments. (3 points)
2. What did Gilgamesh do that made the people complain and ask the gods for help? How did the gods respond? 4 points)
3. What made Enkidu seem almost more animal-like than human? What new things did he learn to enjoy after his time with Shamhat? (4 points)
4. How did Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends? (2 point)
5. Whose idea is it to fight Humababa and who is more dubious? (2 points)
6. How does Gilgamesh’s mother Ninsun feel about Gilgamesh going to fight Humbaba, and what task does she give to Enkdu? (3 points)
7. After the journey begins, who is braver and who needs encouragement? During the fight, who is harsher? (2 points)
Homework for Wednesday, November 28
Read Gilgamesh Tablets VI -X (pages 16-23) and answer the following questions with complete sentences. This assignment is worth 20 points.
1. Why does the goddess Ishtar want her father Anu to give her the Bull of Heaven? (2 points)
2. What does Anu make sure of before he grants her wish? (2 points)
3. What happens to the Bull of Heaven? (2 points)
4. Why and how does Enkidu die? (3 points)
5. Who is Utnapishtim and why does Gilgamesh want to find him? (2 ponts)
6. What does Gilgamesh have to do to pass through Mount Mashu? (2 points)
7. Who is Siduri and what is her advice to Gilgamesh? (2 points)
8. Who is Urshanabi and how does he help Gilgamesh? (2 points)
9. Does it seem as if Utnapishtim will help Gilgamesh? Why or why not? (3 points)
Homework for Thursday, November 29
Read Gilgamesh Tablet XI (pages 23-29) and answer the following questions with complete sentences. This assignment is worth 20 points.
1. When the gods decided to send a flood to the city of Shuruppak, how did Ea warn Utnapishtim? (2 points)
2. Tell three things that Utnapishtim did to prepare for the flood. (3 points)
3. How did Utnapishtim know that the flood was over and it was safe to come out and sacrifice to the gods? (2 points)
4. After Utnapishtim survived the flood, how did Enlil reward him? (2 points)
5. How did Utnapishtim’s wife show the passage of time while Gilgamesh was sleeping? (2 points)
6. What parting gift does Utnapishtim give to Gilgamesh “so that he can return to his land with honor”? (2 points)
7. How does Gilgamesh obtain this gift? (2 points)
8. How is Gilgamesh’s plan for immortality thwarted? (3 points)
9. What consolation does Gilgamesh find at the end of the story (2 points)