Part 1: Epic Poetry: Gilgamesh

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. When the sun was setting, they dug a well, they filled their waterskins with fresh water, Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop -Gilgamesh: A New English Translation, Stephen Mitchell Which detail most clearly reflects the feature of a strong hero? "At four hundred miles they stopped to eat" "When the sun was setting, they dug a well" "they filled their waterskins with fresh water" "Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop"

"Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop"

legend

a story that is believed to be based on historical events

Which detail from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best illustrates a courageous hero? Gilgamesh standing at the top of the mountain and asking for favorable dreams Gilgamesh dreaming of an eagle with a lion's head and a flaming mouth Gilgamesh asking Enkidu to explain the meaning of his dream to him Gilgamesh standing at edge of the Cedar Forest, ready to battle Humbaba

Gilgamesh standing at edge of the Cedar Forest, ready to battle Humbaba

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend, the dream you had is a favorable one. The fiery heavens stand for Humbaba, who tried to kill you with lightning and flames. But in spite of the fire, he could not harm you." Based on the excerpt, which statement best describes Humbaba's effect on the epic's plot? Humbaba establishes Gilgamesh as the hero of the poem. Humbaba distracts Gilgamesh from the difficult journey. Humbaba eases the challenges Gilgamesh must face. Humbaba creates tension and suspense in the story.

Humbaba creates tension and suspense in the story.

Which statement best describes Humbaba's impact on the epic's plot? Humbaba makes Gilgamesh's adventure an epic. Humbaba makes the events of the story less interesting. Humbaba's presence creates conflict and suspense. Humbaba's presence reduces the conflicts Gilgamesh faces.

Humbaba's presence creates conflict and suspense.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Then, from heaven, the voice of the god called to Gilgamesh: "Hurry, attack, attack Humbaba while the time is right, before he enters the depths of the forest, before he can hide there and wrap himself in his seven auras with their paralyzing glare. He is wearing just one now. Attack him! Now!" What effect does Lord Shamash's intervention have on the epic? It scares Gilgamesh and leads the audience to believe that Gilgamesh will lose. It encourages Gilgamesh to fight and adds excitement for the audience. It causes Gilgamesh to run away and increases the audience's unease. It causes Gilgamesh to slowly withdraw and provides the audience with relief.

It encourages Gilgamesh to fight and adds excitement for the audience.

After each dream, Gilgamesh says to Enkidu, "Dear friend, tell me, what does this mean?" What effect does this repetition have? It signals that Gilgamesh will defeat Humbaba. It reinforces Enkidu's role as Gilgamesh's adviser. It emphasizes the terrifying nature of Gilgamesh's dream. It suggests that Gilgamesh rejects supernatural powers.

It reinforces Enkidu's role as Gilgamesh's adviser.

Which character from Gilgamesh: A New English Version is an example of a supernatural force who intervenes? Gilgamesh Enkidu Lord Shamash Humbaba

Lord Shamash

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend, the dream you had is a favorable one. Again, the mountain stands for Humbaba. He threw you down, but he could not kill you. As for the handsome young man who appeared, he stands for Lord Shamash, who will rescue you and grant you everything you desire." Based on the excerpt, how will Lord Shamash most likely affect the battle with Humbaba? Lord Shamash will help both Gilgamesh and Humbaba. Lord Shamash will help neither Gilgamesh nor Humbaba. Lord Shamash will help Humbaba defeat Gilgamesh. Lord Shamash will help Gilgamesh defeat Humbaba.

Lord Shamash will help Gilgamesh defeat Humbaba.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Enkidu said, "Don't worry, my friend, the dream you had is a favorable one. The eagle that you saw, with a lion's head, stands for Humbaba. Though it dived straight toward you and terrifying flames shot from its mouth, nothing could cause you harm. The young man who came to your rescue was our lord, Shamash. He will stand beside us when the monster attacks. Whatever happens, we will prevail." Which statement best describes the epic feature used in this excerpt and its effect on the plot? The difficult journey that Gilgamesh must undertake causes him to feel defeated. The vast landscape that Gilgamesh must travel through adds tension to the plot. The intervention of the supernatural gives Gilgamesh hope that he will defeat Humbaba. The narrative voice of the epic poem makes it difficult for the audience to relate to Gilgamesh.

The intervention of the supernatural gives Gilgamesh hope that he will defeat Humbaba.

In Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Gilgamesh repeatedly has dreams and says, "Enkidu, dear friend, I have had a dream." What effect does this repetition have? It creates a main idea that the audience can understand, and it establishes Gilgamesh as the main character. It creates a rhythmic pattern that the audience can follow, and it signals that the audience will hear a new dream. It creates a new structure that the audience needs to hear, and it shows how long Gilgamesh's journey has been. It creates a vivid image that the audience can see, and it establishes a more realistic way of storytelling.

Wrong answer: It creates a new structure that the audience needs to hear, and it shows how long Gilgamesh's journey has been.

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. This excerpt is repeated several times. How does this repetition affect the epic? It points out that Gilgamesh and Enkidu must fight Humbaba. It indicates that the gods are helping Gilgamesh and Enkidu. It emphasizes the length of Gilgamesh's and Enkidu's journey. It dramatizes the danger Gilgamesh and Enkidu must face.

Wrong answer: It dramatizes the danger Gilgamesh and Enkidu must face.

Which statement best describes how Gilgamesh's dreams affect the plot of Gilgamesh: A New English Version? The dreams lessen any tension in the plot. The dreams introduce the main idea. The dreams shift the focus from Gilgamesh. The dreams create conflict and suspense.

Wrong answer: The dreams lessen any tension in the plot.

Which statement best describes the effect of Gilgamesh's repeated dreams in Gilgamesh: A New English Version? The repetition of the dreams introduces one clear theme. The repetition of the dreams creates rhythm, interest, and drama. The repetition of the dreams gives the epic an informal tone. The repetition of the dreams establishes Gilgamesh as the hero.

Wrong answer: The repetition of the dreams introduces one clear theme.

Which detail from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best illustrates a challenging journey? The two men travel a thousand miles at a time before they stop for the night. Gilgamesh makes an offering to the mountain and asks for a favorable dream. Gilgamesh dreams that an enormous mountain falls on him and Enkidu. The two men can hear the roar of Humbaba as they get to the Cedar Forest.

Wrong answer: The two men can hear the roar of Humbaba as they get to the Cedar Forest.

epic

a long poem that tells the story of a hero

The eagle that you saw, with a lion's head, stands for Humbaba. Though it dived straight toward you and terrifying flames shot from its mouth, nothing could cause you harm. The young man who came to your rescue was our lord, Shamash. He will stand beside us when the monster attacks. -Gilgamesh: A New English Translation, Stephen Mitchell Which features of epic poetry does this passage contain? Check all that apply. a vast setting a supernatural force that brings harm a hero with great strength an elevated style a supernatural force that brings help

a supernatural force that brings harm an elevated style a supernatural force that brings help

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. When the sun was setting, they dug a well, they filled their waterskins with fresh water, Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop -Gilgamesh: A New English Translation, Stephen Mitchell Which features of epic poetry does this passage show? Check all that apply. a vast setting a supernatural force a hero with great strength a compelling, formal speech a narrative voice

a vast setting a hero with great strength a narrative voice

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. When the sun was setting, they dug a well, they filled their waterskins with fresh water, Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop, he poured out flour as an offering and said, "Mountain, bring me a favorable dream." Which feature of epic poetry does this excerpt most clearly show? a courageous hero who answers a call to adventure a journey filled with many challenges a vast setting of distant landscapes supernatural forces, such as gods or monsters, that intervene

a vast setting of distant landscapes

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. The man who pulled you up from the ground and gave you fresh water from his waterskin is Lugalbanda, your personal god. With his help, we will achieve a triumph greater than any man has achieved. Which feature of epic poetry does this excerpt most clearly show? a courageous hero who answers a call to adventure a journey filled with many challenges a vast setting of distant landscapes supernatural forces, such as gods or monsters, that intervene

supernatural forces, such as gods or monsters, that intervene

Then, from heaven, the voice of the god called to Gilgamesh: "Hurry, attack, attack Humbaba while the time is right, before he enters the depths of the forest, before he can hide there and wrap himself in his seven auras with their paralyzing glare. He is wearing just one now. Attack him! Now!" -Gilgamesh: A New English Translation, Stephen Mitchell Identify a feature of epic poetry in the passage. In three to four sentences, explain its impact on the epic's plot.

the feature of a supernatural force intervening in human affairs the feature's impact on the plot (for example, the fact that it enables Gilgamesh to overcome his challenge) evidence from the passage

repetition

the reappearance of words and phrases for effect

Which best defines the word repetition in epic poetry? the recurrence of words and phrases for a specific effect the duplication of main ideas for development the reproduction of images for emphasis the reappearance of characters for a surprise reaction

the recurrence of words and phrases for a specific effect

structure

the way something is built, arranged, or organized