Gilgamesh Study Questions
Exercise 1: Gilgamesh (Tablets I through VIII)
1. In the “Prologue” to the epic, note the narrative-perspective shifts from 1st-person to 3rd-person to 2nd-person (imperative). What is the intent of these narrative-perspective shifts and how do these shifts affect the readers’/audience’s response?
The intent is the shift in narrative-perspectives is to help build the character of Gilgamesh into this larger than life, godlike, person. It also affects the reader as it makes it seem that the life of Gilgamesh is without end.
2. What is the ostensible purpose of the “Prologue”?
The ostensible purpose of the “Prologue” is to set the stage of the story by informing the reader of the greatness of Gilgamesh and all his mighty acts.
3. Describe and evaluate Gilgamesh as a ruler/leader at the beginning of the epic proper.
Gilgamesh was a great and accomplished leader/ruler at the very beginning. He is described as “wise in all things” (1.4), “full of understanding” (1.6), and could see “what was secret” (1.7). He had traveled, built great cities, and surpassed all the kings before him.
4. Why do the gods create Enkidu, and what type of creature is he?
The gods create Enkidu to balance out the terrifying and powerful Gilgamesh. He is described as being “equal to Gilgamesh’s stormy heart” (1.89). Enkidu is a wild beastlike man that was raised by animals away from civilization.
5. Why is a harlot (prostitute) employed to “tame” or “humanize” Enkidu? You might want to consider where she comes from.
The harlot is employed to “tame” or “humanize” Enkidu because Enkidu is protecting the animals by unsetting the traps and filling in the pits set by the hunter. The uncivilized Enkidu tells the fearful hunter that he can no longer hunt animals. As a result, the father of the hunter instructs his son to go to the civilized city of Uruk and acquire a temple prostitute. The father understands that the sexuality of a woman can “tame” the wild beastlike man that is
1. In the “Prologue” to the epic, note the narrative-perspective shifts from 1st-person to 3rd-person to 2nd-person (imperative). What is the intent of these narrative-perspective shifts and how do these shifts affect the readers’/audience’s response?
The intent is the shift in narrative-perspectives is to help build the character of Gilgamesh into this larger than life, godlike, person. It also affects the reader as it makes it seem that the life of Gilgamesh is without end.
2. What is the ostensible purpose of the “Prologue”?
The ostensible purpose of the “Prologue” is to set the stage of the story by informing the reader of the greatness of Gilgamesh and all his mighty acts.
3. Describe and evaluate Gilgamesh as a ruler/leader at the beginning of the epic proper.
Gilgamesh was a great and accomplished leader/ruler at the very beginning. He is described as “wise in all things” (1.4), “full of understanding” (1.6), and could see “what was secret” (1.7). He had traveled, built great cities, and surpassed all the kings before him.
4. Why do the gods create Enkidu, and what type of creature is he?
The gods create Enkidu to balance out the terrifying and powerful Gilgamesh. He is described as being “equal to Gilgamesh’s stormy heart” (1.89). Enkidu is a wild beastlike man that was raised by animals away from civilization.
5. Why is a harlot (prostitute) employed to “tame” or “humanize” Enkidu? You might want to consider where she comes from.
The harlot is employed to “tame” or “humanize” Enkidu because Enkidu is protecting the animals by unsetting the traps and filling in the pits set by the hunter. The uncivilized Enkidu tells the fearful hunter that he can no longer hunt animals. As a result, the father of the hunter instructs his son to go to the civilized city of Uruk and acquire a temple prostitute. The father understands that the sexuality of a woman can “tame” the wild beastlike man that is