Discussion Questions Regarding the Epic of Gilgamesh

1. According to what you’ve gleaned from the story, how do you think the ancient Mesopotamians (particularly the Sumerians, who “originated” this story) viewed and defined heroism? How do you think Gilgamesh, and possibly Enkidu, might fulfill the roles of Epic heroes (if they do at all)? What are their goals? How do they develop as the story moves along? Are they perfect (remember that Gilgamesh is 2/3 God, and Enkidu is a divine creation), or do they have flaws? What are these flaws? And...do their imperfections hamper their efforts, or is it divine machination which controls their fates? Or both? Can they be triumphant, or are they doomed from the start?

2. What do you thinkThe Epic of Gilgamesh tells us about the attitudes of ancient Sumerians (&c.) toward their Gods and Goddesses? Toward life in general? Toward the afterlife? Does this story encourage fear? Humility? Think about the heroes’ interactions with Ishtar, and through her, other gods. How do our protagonists treat her? How does she treat them in return? Consider also the priestess/harlot Shamhat; how does the sky god, Anu, use her to control our heroes?

Discussion Questions Regarding the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey

1. How do you think the characters in the Odyssey show us idealized models of conduct for ancient Greeks? Of ideal Greek manhood and/or womanhood? How is Odysseus portrayed as an ideal hero? How is Penelope presented as an ideal wife? How is she juxtaposed with other female figures in the Odyssey? How is she presented differently than the women we meet in Gilgamesh? Consider Ishtar, Shamhat, Calypso, and Circe. Also, how is Odysseus different than the hero(es) presented in Gilgamesh?

2. What do both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey tell us about the civilizations from which they came (Mesopotamian civilizations, ancient Greece)? How do these stories show us how these ancient peoples viewed heroes/heroism (see questions above), their gods, their relationships with their gods, the afterlife, and the divine in general? How are their views similar? Different? Is the Greek version perhaps a bit more optimistic? Why might you think so/think not?

3. What do you think are the main themes or lessons of these works? Are they similar? How do the stories approach the concepts of love, loyalty, friendship/familial devotion, loss, and free will? Can men overcome divine obstacles to reach what they seek? When? Compare Gilgamesh’s ultimate goals with Odysseus,’ and explain why you think one could succeed while the other failed. Was it a matter of personal flaws? Did one simply have more ideal or ‘heroic’ qualities than the other? Was it a matter of ‘knowing one’s place’ when choosing/seeking the ultimate goal? Or is it simply a matter of cultural differences?