The book's name is ( The Epic of Gilgamesh ) Pick just one question that really interests you, one that you can write your HW log about (250-350 typed double-spaced pages). Important: use evidence and cite page numbers for quotes to support whatever points you want to make.

9. In what ways do the gods act like people, and when do they seem most “human”? When do theyseem to careabout humans, and when do they seem tonot care? In what ways do we see people payingrespect to thegods, and how well does this work, if it works at all? For example,what is the significance ofGilgamesh and Enkidu’s actions upon slaying Humbaba(pp. 46-47)? See alsoTablet VI, when Gilgameshrejects Ishtar’s advancesand she takes her revenge.... Try to think of other examples... 10. What potentially foolhardy actions does Gilgamesh take in the epic? What potentially foolhardyactions does Enkidu take? Why is it that when one of the two must die that the gods decidethat Enkidumust die? Is that fair? How does each respect or disrespect the gods? 11. In Tablet VII, how does Gilgamesh try to comfort Enkidu? Whatis the significance of thecurses Enkidu sets upon the hunter and Shamhat? Do these curses demonstrate anything about genderroles and expectations of the time? How does Shamash calm Enkidu (pp. 58-59)? How does Shamash helpEnkidu to accept his fate? How is life after death depicted in Enkidu’s dream? 12. When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh nearly goes mad with grief. He sits by the body until it begins todecay, he puts on the skins of animals, and he searches the wilderness and the underworld for the secret ofimmortality. Is this because of his lovefor Enkidu and his desire to bring himback, or isit becauseGilgamesh has finally recognized his own mortalityand is terrified? Can youthink ofother epic heroeswho visit the lands of the dead? What would it represent to you? 13. In Tablet IX, why does Gilgamesh set out to find Uta-Napishti? How does thisquest relate tohis quest to slay Humbaba? Are thesequests similaror very different? How wiseor unwise doesGilgamesh seem now compared to how he was at the start? (p. 70) Is it wise tobe afraid of death? What does Shamash have to say in relation to toGilgamesh’s undertaking? 14. In Tablet X, what is Gilgamesh’s strategy upon approaching the tavern-keeper, Shiduri, andUr-shanabi, the boatman of Uta-napishti? What does his strategy say about his character? Is his strategysuccessful? What other approaches might he have taken? How do you visualize the scene that presents itself to Gilgamesh as he wanders past the end of the world? 15. Also in Tablet X, Gilgamesh sees his goal as overcomingsorrow, but Uta-Napishti accuseshimof chasing sorrow. Explain what eachmeans. How, inthe eyes of Uta-Napishti, has Gilgamesh madehimself the fool rather than the king? Uta-Napishti explains that human lives do not go on forever. Whatdoes he say is eternally true? 16. In Tablet XI, why is Gilgamesh unwillingto fight Uta-Napishti when he finally confronts him? What is Gilgamesh’s response to the knowledge that he was unable to resist sleeping? Why does he havethis response? Why does Gilgamesh have Ur-Shanabi walk the walls ofhis city? Have these walls been given special significance as a result of Gilgamesh’s journey? 17. In Tablet XI, Uta-napishti tells of the great Deluge. What similarities and differences do yousee between the flood story here and the biblical flood story? Why does Ea reprimand Enlil (95)? Whatspecifically is Ea angry with Enlil for, and what would herather haveEnlil done?(95)? What doesGilgamesh learn from this story about the nature of human beings and of the gods? Do you think there is a sense of divine justice for human beings here? 18. At the end of the Standard Version, Gilgamesh appears to have come full circle, walkingagainthe walls of his city and speaking oftheir origin. In what ways has he changed? Howmuch wiser is he, ifhe is wiser? What messages or morals do you take from the epic. How could this epic help peopletounderstand their own civilization? Whatkinds of valuesdoes it explore? What would this epic inspire people to do, if anything? 19. Looking over the whole epic, draw a graph on the board that shows the progress of the heroGilgamesh through time (X axis, suchthat further to the right means further through time) versushappiness/unhappiness (Y axis, such that above zero is happy and below zero is unhappy). Then do thesame thing but this time the Y axisrepresents worthiness/unworthiness. Plot justthemajor turning pointsor significant events so far withtwo separate lines. When he makes himself happier, ishe more or lessworthy? Is there a relationship betweenhappiness and worthiness? What canyou conclude about theprogress of Gilgamesh when you see the whole picture?