Part 3: Writing to Analyze the Epic Hero in Gilgamesh Answers

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh answered, "Dear friend, dear brother,I cannot kill Humbaba alone.Please stay here with me. Stand at my side.‘Two boats lashed together will never sink.A three-ply rope is not easily broken.’If we help each other and fight side by side,what harm can come to us? Let us go onand attack the monster. We have come so far.Whatever you are feeling, let us go on.”

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh stopped. He was trembling. Tears flowed down his cheeks. "O Shamash,” he cried, "protect me on this dangerous journey. Remember me, help me, hear my prayer.”

Read the paragraph and the sentence below it.1Enkidu, who had met the beast, warned Gilgamesh of the dangers involved, explaining that Gilgamesh did not "know the horror that lurks ahead.” 2Upon seeing the beast Humbaba, Gilgamesh himself became seized with dread and terror. 3However, despite Enkidu’s warning and his own temporary paralysis upon seeing Humbaba, Gilgamesh charged at Humbaba with his axe. 4He demonstrated that he was able to summon the bravery necessary to overcome his fear and attack the frightening beast.Sentence: In fact, Gilgamesh was so frightened that "terror flooded / his muscles, his heart froze, his mouth went dry, / his legs shook,” and "his feet were rooted to the ground.”

What evidence from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best supports the conclusion that Gilgamesh is an epic hero? Select 3 options.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh said, "Courage, dear brother,this is no time to give in to fear.We have come so far, across so many mountains,and our journey is about to reach its goal.You were raised in the wild, with your own handsyou have killed marauding lions and wolves,you are brave, your heart has been tested in combat.Though your arms feel weak now and your legs tremble,you are a warrior, you know what to do.Shout out your battle-cry, let your voice poundlike a kettle drum. Let your heart inspire youto be joyous in battle, to forget about death.If we help each other and fight side by side,we will make a lasting name for ourselves, we will stamp our fame on men’s minds forever.”

Read the point and the chart below.Point: Gilgamesh has the bravery and strength to triumph in battle.Which statement best completes the blank in this chart?

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh said, "Courage, dear brother,this is no time to give in to fear.We have come so far, across so many mountains,and our journey is about to reach its goal.”

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.At four hundred miles they stopped to eat, at a thousand miles they pitched their camp. They had traveled for just three days and nights, a six weeks’ journey for ordinary men.

Read the point that is being made and the illustration that follows it.Point: Gilgamesh is a strong warrior who triumphs in battle.Illustration: As the two men leave the forest and float down the river, Gilgamesh carries the head of Humbaba.

Read a student’s analysis of Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh is an epic hero partly because he is a strong, effective leader who believes in teamwork. For example, when Enkidu expresses fear about continuing on the journey, Gilgamesh tells Enkidu that he needs help killing Humbaba and encourages him to persevere. Moved by the speech, Enkidu decides to continue on with the mission.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,came to himself. He yelled, he liftedhis massive axe, he swung it, it toreinto Humbaba’s neck, the bloodshot out, again the axe bit fleshand bone, the monster staggered, his eyesrolled, and at the axe’s third stroke he toppled like a cedar and crashed to the ground.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,came to himself. He yelled, he liftedhis massive axe, he swung it, it toreinto Humbaba’s neck, the bloodshot out, again the axe bit fleshand bone, the monster staggered, his eyesrolled, and at the axe’s third stroke he toppled like a cedar and crashed to the ground.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh backed away, He said,"How dreadful Humbaba’s face has become! It is changing into a thousand nightmare faces, more horrible than I can bear.I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on.”Enkidu answered, "Why, dear friend, do you speak like a coward? What you just said is unworthy of you. It grieves my heart.We must not hesitate or retreat.Two intimate friends cannot be defeated.Be courageous. Remember how strong you are. I will stand by you. Now let us attack.”Gilgamesh felt his courage return.They charged at Humbaba like two wild bulls.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh felt his courage return.They charged at Humbaba like two wild bulls.The monster let out a deafening cry,his roar boomed forth like a blast of thunder,he stamped and the ground burst open, his stepssplit the mountains of Lebanon,the clouds turned black, a sulfurous fogdescended on them and made their eyes ache.Then Shamash threw strong winds at Humbaba,the south wind, the north wind, the east and the west,storm wind, gale wind, hurricane, tornado,to pin him down and paralyze his steps.He could not move forward, could not retreat.Gilgamesh saw it, he leaped upon him,he held a knife to Humbaba’s throat.

Read the point that is being made and the illustration that follows it.Point: Gilgamesh is a courageous leader.Illustration: Enkidu is frightened of Humbaba and wants to turn back, but he tells Gilgamesh, "You go into the dreadful forest, you kill Humbaba and win the fame.”