Gilgamesh questions

Gilgamesh questions

How to pronounce the names:

Gilgamesh = Gil-ga-mesh

Humbaba = Hoom-ba-ba

Enkidu = En-key-do

Utnapishtim = Oot-na-pish-tim

For which qualities and achievements is Gilgamesh praised in the prologue? The qualities that Gilgamesh was praised for was his courage and unwavering strenghth and determination to make a name for himself. He was also revered for slaying the great forest gaurdian Humbaba. Enkidu, his faithful friend, helped him to slay the peaceful giant to make names for themselves and engrave themselves in history.

What does the prologue suggest about the values of the ancient Mesopotamians? The prologue suggests that the Mesopotamians will do anything and everything in their power to be recognized and gain popularity throught incredible feats of nature and bravery.

Gilgamesh is described as being “two thirds” a god and “one third man.” What conflicts might arise from such a combination? Some conflicts that might arise from these two factors would be his mortality just like every man. But also not being able to fit in or be a part of a normal society (castaway).

Also he would have to deal with both godly problems including his earthly problems aswell which would double his involvement in the universe.

When Gilgamesh and Enkidu debate whether to fight Humbaba, what is Gilgamesh’s attitude toward death? At first Gilgamesh felt strong and ready to fight the beast at any cost. He was ready to throwdown and kill him in the name or Uruk and Gilgamesh.

How does Enkidu’s description of Humbaba reveal that the giant is evil? Before the battle Enkidu was reluctant to fight the beast since it was known to be fierce and a killer so he was terrified and did not want to engage in combat with the beast.

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What other tales have you read or seen dramatized in which the forces of good combat the forces of evil? I have watched every LOTR series and Hobbit series which depict all the wars between orc and man, orc vs. man and elf and dwarf. And man vs. beasts. For example the battle of the five armies was a battle between forces of great evil, orc nation, and of good, the rest of the 4 armies.

How do Gilgamesh and Enkidu differ in their willingness to fight and willingness to spare their opponent? Gilgamesh did not want to hesitate at first and viewed the fight as just and worthy but towards the end when it was due to slay the beast he was reluctant and wanted to show mercy. While on the contrary Enkidu did not want to fight the giant at first but then he towards the judgement he did not want to spare the beasts life since he viewed him as a great evil that must be slain.

What do these disagreements suggest about their different natures? These show that each character is capable of totally different world views and that they match perfectly with one another as friends and companions.

Why do the gods agree to destroy humankind? The gods decide to destroy mankind because they felt that overpopulation was a problem. They also believe that the humans were too noisy and the gods could not rest.

What causes them to change their minds? The gods decided to change their minds because Enill convinced them that the humans were not all bad and that the great flood was also a risk to there wellbeing as well and that it terrified them too.

What might cause Utnapishtim to have mixed feelings about Gilgamesh? He would have mixed feelings about gilgamesh because gilgamesh is all about himself and about making a name for himself and no humility.

When the snake steals the plants, why doesn’t Gilgamesh return for more? He figured that it was not worth his time returning because he discovered that all mortal things must die sometime.

What insights into life do you think the ancient people who heard this epic gained? The ancient people who read these epics would have an unhealthy feeling to make a name for themselves. I dont think this epic is something to live by since it focuses on personal gain more than humitlity and self sacrifice.

A hero is a character whose actions are inspiring or noble. Deeply troubled by the death of his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh embarks on the quest not for glory but not for everlasting life in the flesh. Strangely, both his success and failure have an accidental quality. Utnapishtim gives him the secret of a magical, restorative plant not in answer to his request but as a parting gift, an afterthought. Similarly, his loss of the plant to a snake, described very briefly, is presented as a chance occurrence.

What is the connection between the role of chance and the theme that humans cannot attain everlasting life? I think the connection is that since humans cannot physically live forever we must find a substitute for this. Which is where legacy and a name for urself come into play.

Why is it appropriate that a snake, rather than some other beast, steals the magical plant? A snake resembles a sly creature that is depicted as decieving and deadly.

Was Gilgamesh’s quest a selfish one? Why or why not? I felt in the beginning it was but once i understood he did this for his friend Enkidu i slowly loosened up. I felt that making a legacy for urself is better than living forever.