Deck 16: The Epic of Gilgamesh Excerpts

Question 1

Utnapishtim mocks Gilgamesh's journey because

A) Gilgamesh should not have felt sorrow at Enkidu's death
B) wisdom is not found by undertaking travels
C) Gilgamesh is incapable of understanding his fate
D) human life is fragile and his journey put him at risk of death

Answer 1

human life is fragile and his journey put him at risk of death

Question 2

After surviving the great flood, the gods turn Utnapishtim into an immortal.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Before seeking the sea plant that confers eternal life, Gilgamesh

A) sleeps for seven days
B) atones for his sins
C) undergoes a cleansing and purification ritual
D) (a) and (c)

Answer 3

(a) and (c)

Question 4

With the sea plant that confers eternal life, Gilgamesh plans to

A) sell it to the highest bidder
B) eat of it himself
C) share it with the old
D) (b) and (c)

Question 5

What is the significance of the serpent stealing from Gilgamesh the sea plant that confers eternal life? What might this suggest about the human pursuit of mortality?

Question 6

What attitudes toward death and human mortality does Gilgamesh exhibit? What lessons regarding death and human mortality does the excerpt suggest?