Workbook on The Epic of Gilgamesh
Academic integrity pledge: I ____, give my word that the answers supplied below are exclusively
the result of my own academic labor and that I have only consulted the assigned texts. Note: if
outside works are consulted (not recommended), please provide references and a “works cited”
page.
Please provide at least one reference to our assigned text (including line numbers and quoted
language) in each of your answers below. If you are using an edition other than the one assigned,
please provide screen shots or photos (via email) of the pages from which you are quoting.
Workbooks without quoted language and page numbers will not be accepted.
1. While reading, develop a list of at least five vocab words. These should be words you needed to
look up, or words you assume to be important to the text and in need of review. Supply a suitable
dictionary definition, and supply page numbers from the text.
1) deluge (I 8): a severe flood
2) lapis lazuli (I 27): a bright blue metamorphic rock consisting largely of lazurite, used for
decoration and in jewelry
3) raiment (I 43): clothing
4) battlement (II 41): a parapet at the top of a wall, especially of a fort or castle, that has regularly
spaced squared openings for shooting through
5) censer (III 44): a container in which incense is burned, typically during a religious ceremony
2. What do the symbols in the dream tell us about the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu?
(Tablet 1)
Gilgamesh related his dream to his mother, stating that one of the stars of the heavens fell down
before him. She replied “I made it your equal. Like a wife you loved it, caressed and embraced it:
a mighty comrade will come to you, and be his friend’s savior” in reference to Enkidu (I 266-268).
He also made a reference to a second dream, where instead of a star, it was now as axe (I 275). His
mother also said his strength would be as mighty as the rock from the sky (I 293).
3. What complaints do the people have against Gilgamesh? (Tablet 1)
“The young men of Uruk he harries without warrant, Gilgamesh lets no son go free to his father.
By day and by night his tyranny grows harsher...” “But Gilgamesh lets no daughter go free to her
