The Forest Journey ...

The Forest Journey

1. What kind of mood are Enkidu and Gilgamesh in when they decide to go fight Humbaba?
2. Why does Gilgamesh say he wants to fight Humbaba in the first place?
3. What does Gilgamesh say to Enkidu’s warning about Humbaba?  Are his the words of an old, wise man, or a young, impulsive one?
4. How much to the axes that the heroes carry weigh?  The swords?  How much weight doe they carry altogether?  Is that possible?
5. What is the warning of the elders of Uruk?  And what is their final advice?
6. What are the allies that Ninsun (Gil’s mom) asks Shamash to provide for Gilgamesh and Enkidu?
7. When the heroes set out to find Humbaba, how far do they go before breakfast?  How far before supper?  How far in a day?  Is that possible?
8. Gilgamesh has several dreams before the encounter with Humbaba.  Who interprets them, and what do they mean?  Are they all interpreted?
9. Who is Lugulbanda?
10. How do the heroes defeat Humbaba?
11. What is Humbaba’s request of Gilgamesh?  Why doesn’t Gilgamesh do what Humbaba wants?
12. Are Gilgamesh and Enkidu really two different people, or could they be different aspects of the same personality?

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