Discussion Questions for
The Epic of Gilgamesh
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Please read about these questions here.
pp. 61-96
What does the phrase ". . . yet the king should be a shepherd to his people" mean?
Why do the gods need to create an equal for Gilgamesh?
On page 63 it says of Enkidu, "He was innocent of mankind; he knew nothing of the cultivated land." What does this mean? What might his ignorance of the "cultivated land" represent in a larger sense? That is, in the world as a whole what does the "cultivated land" stand for?
What might Enkidu represent? Think about his characteristics after he is first created.
Why does Enkidu destroy the traps of the trapper and help the animals to escape?
What might the woman who seduces Enkidu represent? Try to think of this story on a level beyond the literal incidents. Think large.
Why do the animals reject Enkidu after he meets the woman?
Why does Enkidu lose his strength after meeting the woman? The answer is a specific one given on page 65.
Why does becoming wise make Enkidu like a god?
Do you see any parallels between this story, so far, and the Biblical story of creation? If so, what?
Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh desire a friendship with someone who is equal to them. Why? Is this an important ingredient of friendship?
What does Enkidu mean when he says "I have come to change the old order"?(65 & 68)
Enkidu, in the beginning, runs with the animals and protects them from man; later he leaves them for the woman; finally he kills wolves and lions to protect man. What is the significance of this?
Enkidu stops Gilgamesh from going to the bride before the bridegroom. They fight and their friendship is "sealed." Why does this "seal" their friendship?
Why is "everlasting life" not the destiny of Gilgamesh?(70)
Why does Gilgamesh want to leave behind "a name that endures"?
What does Gilgamesh realize on page 72?
Gilgamesh says to the god, "If this enterprise is not to be accomplished, why did you move me, Shamash, with the restless desire to perform it?" How would you answer Gilgamesh's question? If some things cannot be known, why is that we have a strong desire to know them?
The counselors told Gilgamesh, "Do not trust too much in your own strength . . ." Is this good advice? Explain your answer.
Gilgamesh has a lot of dreams and these dreams are meaningful. What do you think about your own dreams. Are they meaningful? Why or why not?
On page 82 Enkidu says, "The strongest of men will fall to fate if he has no judgement." What does this mean?
Can you fight against fate or is fate inevitable?
Why does Gilgamesh choose not to marry Ishtar?
Enlil decides that because the friends killed Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven that one of them must die. Is this fair? Why or why not?
At first Enkidu curses the harlot, but then he changes his mind and blesses her. Why does he change his mind? Does the harlot deserve his curses or his blessings? Explain your answer.
Gilgamesh says to Enkidu, "The dream was marvellous but the terror was great; we must treasure the dream whatever the terror; for the dream has shown that misery comes at last to the healthy man, the end of life is sorrow." What does this mean? Is he right? Explain.
Why does Enkidu's death cause Gilgamesh so much sorrow?
pp. 97-119
What does Enkidu's death cause Gilgamesh to realize?
Why is Gilgamesh afraid of death?
Should Gilgamesh go on this journey to find everlasting life or should he just accept the fact that he will die? Explain your answer.
What might Gilgamesh's journey represent in the life of a man or woman?
When Gilgamesh passes through the mountain range he travels 12 leagues and then the "sun streamed out." Is the number 12 significant? Explain.
On page 102 Siduri says, "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to? You will never find that life for which you are looking. When the gods created man they allotted to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping. As for you Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh, bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand, and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man." Is this good advice? Explain your answer.
If you could make such a choice, would you prefer to have the good things that life here on earth offers without eternal life or eternal life without them? Explain your answer.
Gilgamesh crosses the ocean using a 120 poles then uses his own body as a mast to support a sail. What does this mean?
What is "the place of the sun's transit"?
Gilgamesh says often, "How can I be silent, how can I rest? He[Enkidu] is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the earth forever." How would you answer Gilgamesh's question?
Gilgamesh asks, ". . . how shall I find the life for which I am searching?" Do you like the answer that Utnapishtim gives him on pp. 106-107? Why or why not?
In this story of the flood why do the gods decide to "exterminate mankind"?
In what ways is this story similar to the Genesis flood? In what ways is it different?
Why does Ishtar feel remorse about agreeing to flood the earth?(110)
Why is Ishtar angry with Enlil?(112)
Why does Gilgamesh lose the plant called, "The Old Men Are Young Again"?
Is there anything in the story that indicates that Gilgamesh took the advice of Siduri?
Is Gilgamesh's death tragic? Why or why not?
Is death tragic? Why or why not?
Did you like this story? Why or why not?
©2005-2012 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
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