The Epic of Gilgamesh: Study GuideName:

  1. Shamash endowed Gilgamesh with what attribute?
  2. What did Edad give him?
  3. Describe Gilgamesh’s beauty.
  4. He is _____ god and _____ man.
  5. What did he build in Uruk? For whom?
  6. Why did the goddess Aruru create Enkidu?
  7. How do Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends?
  8. Who is Humbaba? Describe him.
  9. What is Enkidu’s first instinct when it is time to fight Humbaba? How does Gilgamesh respond?
  10. Who does Gilgamesh turn to for help? What is this act called?
  11. What do Gilgamesh’s calls to Shamash reveal about Gilgamesh’s own powers and their limitations?
  12. According to Gilgamesh, what character traits are required to battle a fierce enemy like Humbaba?
  13. What help does Gilgamesh receive?
  14. Who are Gilgamesh’s parents?
  15. What are Humbaba’s seven splendors?
  16. How did Humbaba react when Gilgamesh finally reaches him? What does he offer to do?
  17. Why doesn’t Gilgamesh show compassion to Humbaba?
  18. How many strikes does it take to kill Humbaba?
  19. What epithet is used for Gilgamesh?
  20. Who are the Anunnaki? What did Gilgamesh and Enkidu uncover belonging to them?
  21. What happens to the forest?
  22. How do Enkidu and Gilgamesh show reverence to Enlil? How did he react to them?
  23. What is his curse?
  24. To whom does Enlil gift the seven splendors?
  25. Whose advances does Gilgamesh reject? How does she react to this?
  26. What did Enkidu dream about? Why does he feel he has been cursed?
  27. Describe the man-bird.
  28. Who is Irkalla, and what happens to those who visit her?
  29. Describe her house.
  30. What kings/queens does Enkidu see?
  31. What two things are being compared in the last line, and what literary device is being employed here?
  32. Why does Gilgamesh go on a quest for immortality? Who does he seek, and why? Where does he find him?
  33. Why do the gods decide to send the flood?
  34. Who warned Utnapishtim and how? What does this being advise him to do? What directions is he given?
  35. What excuse is he to give if questioned about his actions by others?
  36. What does this tell you about Ea?
  37. How many days did it take them to build the boat?
  38. What is on the boat?
  39. What were each god’s duties during the flood?
  40. What are the gods afraid? How do they react?
  41. What does this reaction tell you about their powers?
  42. How long did it rain?
  43. How does Upnapishtim know it is safe to leave the boat?
  44. What pagan ritual does he perform as soon as he disembarks?
  45. Who does Ishtar blame for the destruction to mankind?
  46. Why is Enlil angry?
  47. Summarize in your own words Ea’s pleading to Enlil.
  48. Why does Enlil grant Unapishtim immortality?
  49. What advice does Upnapishtim give to Gilgamesh?
  50. What does Upnapishtim tell his wife to do, and what is the purpose?
  51. What secret does Upnapistim tell to Gilgamesh?
  52. How does Gilgamesh freshen up from his unruly condition?
  53. What does Gilgamesh have to do to reach the plant, and what does he name it? What does this plant have to do with Gilgamesh’s quest?
  54. Who takes the flower? What is Gilgamesh’s reaction?
  55. How far do Upnapishtim and Gilgamesh walk, for how long?
  56. What is the make-up of Uruk?
  57. What effect has Gilgamesh’s quest had on him, in spite of his remarkable strength?
  58. How does the Epic fit the archetype of a hero’s quest, and how does Gilgamesh react to challenges?
  59. Is his quest selfish or altruistic?
  60. What does the outcome suggest about human limitations?
  61. How does this tale eventually grant Gilgamesh immortality?