1. Character Analysis
EBIRT:
Nicholas, Steven, Lauren, Sarah, Natalie, Madeline

2. Godlike Characteristics
• He is a fierce warrior
– "He saw the lions round him glorying in life; then he took his axe
in his hand , he drew his sword from his belt, and he fell upon
them like an arrow from the string, and struck and destroyed and
scattered them." -- Page 37 (Direct characterization)
• He is courageous
– "When Gilgamesh saw them he shielded his eyes for the length of
a moment only; then he took courage and approached." -- Page
37 (Indirect characterization)
• He shows great love for others
– "For Enkidu; I loved him dearly, together we endured all kinds of
hardships; on his account I have come, for the common lot of man
has taken him." -- Page 37 (Direct characterization)

3. Humanlike characteristics
• Can't control his emotions
– "And Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu..." -- Page 36 (Direct
characterization)
• He is afraid
– "Because I am afraid of death will go as best I can to find
Utnapishtim whom they call the Faraway, for he has entered
the assembly of the gods." -- Page 37 (Direct
characterization)
– "In these mountain passes long ago I saw lions, I was afraid
and I lifted my eyes to the moon; I prayed and my prayers
went up to the gods, so now, O moon god Sin, protect me." --
Page 37 (Direct characterization)

4. Humanlike Characteristics Cont.
• His physical appearance
– "If you are that Gilgamesh who seized and killed the Bull of
Heaven, who killed the watchman of the cedar forest, and killed
the lions in the passes of the mountain, why are your cheeks so
starved and why is your face so drawn?" -- Page 39 (Direct
characterization)
• He can be weak
– "Look at him now, the strong man who would have everlasting
life, even now the mists of sleep are drifting over him." -- Page
43 (Indirect characterization)
• He can be careless
– "It rose out of the water and snatched it away, and immediately
it sloughed its skin and returned to the well." -- Page 46 (Indirect
characterization)

5. Other Principal Characters in the Text
• Enkidu: Initially sent by the gods to destroy Gilgamesh, he ends up
becoming his best friend. They go on many journey's together and defeat
many strong enemies. Eventually they spite the goddess Ishtar and she
sends a deathly illness on Enkidu. Enkidu has a dream about the
underworld that inspires Gilgamesh to go on his final journey before he
dies. (Helps Gilgamesh)
• Siduri: Is initially sacred of Gilgamesh because of his appearance. She is
reluctant to help him because she knows that death was allotted to the
mortals. She eventually tells him to seek the help of Urshanabi but hints
that he might not help. (Helps Gilgamesh)
• Utnapishtim: Initially questions Gilgamesh because of his appearance as
well and is apprehensive about a mortal being around. He tells Gilgamesh
the story of the flood, how immortality is not all that it's cracked up to be,
and also reluctantly where to find the plant of eternal life. (Helps
Gilgamesh)

6. Epithets
• Epithet: An adjective or descriptive phrase
expressing a quality regarded as a characteristic of
the person or thing mentioned

7. Epithets in The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Irkalla: Queen of Darkness
• Etana: The King of Kish
• Samuqan: The god of cattle
• Ereshkigal: Queen of the Underworld
• Belit-Sheri: Recorder of the gods
• Siduri: Young woman, maker of wine
• Anu: Lord of the firmament
• Utnapishtim: Faraway, son of Ubara-Tutu, man of Shurrupak
• Adad: Lord of the storm
• Ishtar: Queen of Heaven