Study
Questions for Gilgamesh
Part 1
1) What do we learn about
Gilgamesh from the Prologue? (What are his attributes and accomplishments?)
2) Why aren't the (common) people
of Uruk happy with Gilgamesh? Who comes to their aid?
3) Who is Enkidu? Why was he
created?
4) What happens to Enkidu as a
result of his liason with the harlot?
5) Compare and contrast Gilgamesh
and Enkidu.
6) What are the functions of the
two dreams that Gilgamesh has in Part 1?
7) At the end of Part 1, Gilgamesh
defeats Enkidu. Why, according to Enkidu, was he victorious?
Part 2
1) On p. 17, Gilgamesh has another
dream. What is Enkidu's interpretation of it? What are the ideological
implications of this interpretation?
2) Why does Gilgamesh determine to
seek out Humbaba and kill him?
3) Enkidu warns Gilgamesh that
Humbaba is powerful and dangerous. What is Gilgamesh's response? What does this
response tell us about Gilgamesh at this point in the story?
4) Who aids Gilgamesh and Enkidu
in their fight against Humbaba?
5) Who is enraged as a result of
the death of Humbaba?
Part 3
1) Why does Gilgamesh refuse
Ishtar's offer of marriage?
2) What happens as a result of his
refusal?
3) What is the significance of
Enkidu's dream following his and Gilgamesh's victory over the Bull of Heaven (p.
27)?
4) How does Enkidu's death affect
Gilgamesh?
Part 4
1) Why does Gilgamesh journey to
the garden of the gods?
2) Who is Siduri? What advice does
she give to Gilgamesh?
3) Who is Utnapishtim? Why does
Gilgamesh seek him out?
4) What is Utnapishtim's response
to Gilgamesh's question about everlasting life?
Part 5
1) Why, according to Utnapishtim,
did the gods decide to exterminate humankind?
2) Compare/contrast the story of
Utnaphishtim to that of Noah in your Genesis readings.
Part 6
1) What "tests" does
Gilgamesh undergo to attain immortality? Is he successful?
Part 7
1) What, ultimately, happens to
Gilgamesh?
2) What is the main thematic
function of Part 7?