Themes
Alcinous and the Phaecians embody this theme in the Odyssey.
What is hospitality (xenia)?
The snake in Gilgamesh represents this.
What is trickery or deception?
This character in Gilgamesh has many parallels with Noah from the Bible.
Who is Utnapishtim?
This goddess keeps Odysseus on her island for seven years, delaying his return to Ithaca.
Who is Calypso?
This writing form used to record the earliest versions of Gilgamesh, was written with a stylus in clay.
What is cuneiform?
The relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is an example of this theme.
This is a symbol of the steadfastness of Penelope and Odysseus' marriage in the Odyssey.
What is the rooted bed?
This god intervenes to block Odysseus on his journey home.
Who is Poseidon?
Gilgamesh is given a plant to grant immortality but loses it to a _________.
What is a serpent?
Approximately when the Odyssey was recorded. (your answer must be within 100 years of the date given)
This character from Gilgamesh best demonstrates nature or the natural world.
Who is Enkidu?
This symbolizes Odysseus' strength and right to kingship.
What is the bow?
What is an example of a temptress from Gilgamesh?
Who is Shamat? Or who is Ishtar?
Odysseus faces this whirlpool monster while navigating the narrow straits between two deadly perils.
Who is Charybdis?
This is the region from which the Epic of Gilgamesh came.
What is Mesopotamia? (will also accept What is Sumer? or What is Assyria?)
By the end of his journey, Gilgamesh has accepted that this is inevitable.
What is death?
This symbol represents Penelope's cunning.
Civilizing influence who introduces Enkidu to civilization.
Who is Shamat?
In The Epic of Gilgamesh, this goddess of love and war proposes marriage to Gilgamesh but is rejected, prompting her to send the Bull of Heaven to punish him.
Who is Ishtar?
This is when the Epic of Gilgamesh was recorded. (must be within 200 years of the date given)
What is approximately 2000 BC?
Odysseus crying on the shores of Ogygia is an example of this theme.
1) what is memory or grief?
2) what is homecoming?
This motif from Gilgamesh acts as foreshadowing demonstrating the power of the gods to intervene in human affairs.
What are dreams?
This ferryman takes Gilgamesh across the sea to visit Utnapishtim
Who is Urshanabi?
This is a major flaw of both Gilgamesh and Odyssey.
What is hubris (excessive pride)?
This is the home of Circe.
What is Aeaea?