Vocabulary
The main character of an epic.
Epic Hero
How do Gilgamesh and Enkidu convince each other to continue on their journey?
a. they physically force each other
b. they threaten each other
c. they encourage each other
c. they encourage each other
What do the two men accomplish besides killing Humbaba?
a. they find Humbaba's cave
b. they chop down cedar trees
c. they catch wild animals
b. they chop down cedar trees
What are some features of epic poetry?
a courageous hero
a journey filled with many challenges
a vast setting of distant lands
supernatural forces
A quality or trait of a person, place or thing
Characteristic
In Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Gilgamesh represents an epic hero because he
a. is gentle and forgiving of his enemies.
b. shows impressive intellect and academic curiosity.
c. travels on a journey and demonstrates courage.
c. travels on a journey and demonstrates courage.
In Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Enkidu is a loyal companion who proves himself to be an archetype o
bravery
What are characteristics of an epic hero?
strong warrior and leader
compelling and confident speaker
demonstrates courage and takes risks
embarks on a long challenging journey
proves triumphant in battle
receives help from supernatural forces
To connect with and affect each other
Inheract
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
What characteristic of an epic hero does the excerpt reveal?
a. bravery in the face of danger
b. willingness to endure a voyage
c. ability to deliver compelling speeches
b. willingness to endure a voyage
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.
They could hear Humbaba's terrifying roar.
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."
They stood and listened. A moment passed.
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"
What characteristic of an epic hero does the excerpt reveal?
a. willingness to endure a voyage
b. bravery and courage as a warrior
c. connection to the supernatural
c. connection to the supernatural
What are some topics of epic poetry?
leadership
loyalty
perseverance
mortality
personal growth
fame and glory
A message that a text conveys about a topic
Theme
Which lines from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best establish Gilgamesh as triumphant in battle?
a. "I will stand by you. Now let us attack."
Gilgamesh felt his courage return.
They charged at Humbaba like two wild bulls.
b. Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,
came to himself. He yelled, he lifted
his massive axe
c. They bound logs together and built a raft.
Enkidu steered it down the great river.
Gilgamesh carried Humbaba's head.
c. They bound logs together and built a raft.
Enkidu steered it down the great river.
Gilgamesh carried Humbaba's head.
Consider these themes from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.
Good leaders motivate through compelling speech.
Soldiers must persevere through challenging trials.
Which statement best describes how these themes interact in the tale?
a. Humbaba delivers a threatening speech to Gilgamesh, explaining how he plans to kill him.
b. Gilgamesh encourages Enkidu to continue, and Enkidu faces many tests of courage.
c. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu convincingly urge each other to endure through hardship.
c. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu convincingly urge each other to endure through hardship.
What are the three steps to determine theme?
identify an important topic in the text
determine the texts message about the topic
write a single sentence that states the message
A specific type of character or story with defining features
Archetype
Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.
Gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled.
Enkidu said, "Courage, dear friend,
Close your ears to Humbaba's curses.
Don't listen to a word. Slaughter him! Now!"
Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,
came to himself.
What is the theme of the excerpt?
a. Encouragement offers powerful motivation.
b. One should ignore other people's opinions.
c. Battle requires tremendous courage.
a. Encouragement offers powerful motivation.
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."
Which sentence best states the theme of the excerpt?
a. People must persevere despite their fears.
b. Enkidu is a loyal source of encouragement.
c. Gilgamesh needs support to overcome his fear.
a. People must persevere despite their fears.
How does Gilgamesh model the epic hero archetype and convey themes of epic poetry?
Gilgamesh is a long poem that tells of a strong, courageous hero on a journey. It conveys themes about loyalty and glory-two concepts often present in epic poetry.