The Epic of Gilgamesh Small Group Questions—First Half

Group #1 Question: What kind of king is Gilgamesh at first? What is he supposed to be like? (Hint: Look at what the people say he is not when they pray.) Are there checks on Gilgamesh’s power in the city? If so, how significant are they? How would our culture answer the following: How do we expect a king or leader to behave? In our view, what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior?

Group #2 Question: Why is a harlot used to “tame” Enkidu? In other words, why a prostitute and not a princess? What might using a prostitute for this character suggest about the role and value of women in this culture? Brainstorm a list of alternative characters that might have been used instead. What messages concerning women would each of your alternative characters have sent?

Group #3 Question: What message might this story send to a boy of Gilgamesh’s time concerning gender expectations and accepted roles for men? (Perhaps make a list of preferred qualities.) How might certain aspects of the story make a boy feel about himself? Next, please consider the same for the other gender: What message might this story send to a girl of Gilgamesh’s time concerning gender expectations and accepted roles for women? (Again, make a list of qualities.) How might certain aspects of the story make a girl feel about herself?

Group # 4 Question: How are the gods viewed? What is their function? How directly do they intervene in human affairs? How do the gods see their relationship to humans? Now please consider our culture: What are some answers we might give these same questions?

Group #5 Question: Based upon the first half of the narrative, how would Gilgamesh’s culture define a hero? Does Gilgamesh fit this definition? Is Gilgamesh’s behavior excessive or is he only acting as would be expected of a hero (and a king) of his time? How would our culture define a hero? What qualities would we expect him or her to have?