Kimberly Ha Mrs. Danaher World Lit. Honors (C) 12 September 2011 Gilgamesh Analysis Page 24: 6.

Summarize the battle with Humbaba, and identify Enkidus role in it. (a) During Gilgameshs fight versus the giant of Cedar Forest, Humbaba, Enkidu fears for their safety. Gilgamesh refuses to surrender due to Enkidus concerns and advances to facing Humbaba. Demanding assistance, Gilgamesh calls on the sun god, Shamash. Shamash summoned the Great wind, the whirlwind, and the North wind, the storm, and the icy wind and wiped Humbaba out. Through out the whole fight, Enkidu played the role as Gilgameshs fan or supporter. Despite the fact that Enkidu was not involved in the fight, he had as much concern towards Gilgameshs victory as if he would have had if he were involved in the fight himself. He also encouraged Gilgamesh by praising him before he advances onto striking Humbaba.

(b) This battle reveals an obvious difference between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. From this battle, readers learn that Gilgamesh obtains a lot

more confidence, courage, and strength, while Enkidu is a hesitant and worrisome. Enkidu is the complete opposite of his friend, Gilgamesh.

8. How effective is Gilgamesh as a leader? (a) In my opinion, Gilgamesh is a great leader because he displays the qualities of resilience and confidence. Gilgamesh was able to his ability of resilience when he chose to pick himself up and complete his journey back to his homeland, Uruk, even though the purpose of his journey has been stripped from him by the sea serpent. Gilgamesh presents his courage and confidence when he is never doubtful of himself or of his partner, Enkidu, even in the scariest moments before facing an intimidating giant.

(b) Gilgamesh is similar to Odysseus, the main character of the famous Epic by Homer. He and Odysseus share the common traits of arrogance and strength. Gilgamesh is unlike Aladdin, the original Disney film, Aladdin. Aladdin differs from Gilgamesh because he is quite scrawny and not as strong.

Page 32: 5. Modify: What changes would you make to Gilgamesh if you were adapting it into an adventure or science fiction film for todays audiences? Explain. One change that I would make towards Gilgamesh would be its vagueness. I would add a lot more detail and references toward science of today to hook the readers and enhance the plot. For an example, I would expand the scene where Gilgamesh goes into the water to retrieve his plant. A potential possibility that could be added would be him encountering an extinct ocean animal or sea plant of his time.

Page 33: 1. How does The Epic of Gilgamesh fit the archetype of a heros quest? (a) The Epic of Gilgamesh fits the archetype of a heros quest because the questor, Gilgamesh leaves his homeland of Uruk and sets off on a journey to find anything that will give him the capability of having immortality. He finds the youth-reviving plant underwater, however, a sea serpent stripped his prized possession from him. In the end, Gilgamesh receives more than what he has set out for. From the start, he desired to live forever and ever, in the end, he does not receive his wish, however, he does obtain an inspiration to write a story. Little did he know that his story will one day be found a group of amazing

archaeologists and will be eternally passed down from generations of teachers to students and family members to friends.

3. What does the outcome of Gilgameshs quest suggest about human limitations? (B) How might the tale he brings home to Uruk eventually grant Gilgameshs the immortality he seeks? (a) The outcome of Gilgameshs quest suggests that humans will never live a perfectly planned and executed life. Hopefully, most will live a satisfying one, one life that has been an obvious alternative to live after your first choice has been knocked out of the picture. (b) The tale he brings back home to Uruk eventually grants Gilgameshs immortality because it grants immortality to his words regarding his life. His life story will live on for thousands of generations.

7. Identify three qualities or beliefs in Gilgamesh that the Sumerians and Babylonians seemed to value. 1. One of the things that the Sumerians and Babylonians believed was that the Gods were in complete control of

them and that they wanted them to suffer for any wrong deeds. a. Citation: Enkidu dreams that the gods have decreed his death for helping to slaughter the bull and Humbaba (Page 23)

2. The second thing that the Babylonians and Sumerians valued would be beauty and perfection. a. Citation: This was the man whom all things were known when the Gods created Gilgamesh, they gave him a perfect body. Shamash the glorious sun endowed him with the beauty. (Page 19)

3.

The third thing that the Sumerians and Babylonians

valued would be gold or wealth. Notice how gold is stated first, even before family when Utnapishtim lists things he will take with him on his boat. a. Citation: I loaded into her all that I had of gold and of living things, my family, my kin, the beasts of the field both wild and tame, and all of the craftsmen. (Page 26)

9. Cultural Connection: What personal goals set by people today might be considered quests for immortality? Explain. Some personal goals set by people of today that might be considered a quest for mortality would be looking younger my using anti-wrinkly creams, botox, facial surgery, and vitamin tablets. I would consider all anti-aging processes or remedies to be a quest for immortality because you are intending to look younger than you really are. You are trying to regain your youth, just like Gilgamesh. Vitamins would also be considered a quest for immortality because you are desiring to live longer.