Question

ish 12 a - mrs. taylor 25-26
ic beginnings and classical literature
gilgamesh: a new english version, book iv
translated by stephen mitchell
at four hundred miles they stopped to eat,
at a thousand miles they pitched their camp.
they had traveled for just three days and nights,
a six weeks’ journey for ordinary men.
when the sun was setting, they dug a well,
they filled their waterskins with fresh water,
gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop,
he poured out flour as an offering and said,
“mountain, bring me a favorable dream.”
enkidu did the ritual for dreams,
praying for a sign. a gust of wind
passed. he built a shelter for the night,
placed gilgamesh on the floor and spread
a magic circle of flour around him,
then sprawled like a net across the doorway.
gilgamesh sat there, with his chin on his knees,
and sleep overcame him, as it does all men.
at midnight he awoke. he said to enkidu,
when the sun was setting, they dug a well,
they filled their waterskins with fresh water,
gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop
which statement best describes the epic feature used in this excerpt and
its effect on the plot?
the use of poetic verse causes the narrative
to become confusing.
the long and difficult journey reflects how
strong and enduring gilgamesh is.
the interference of the gods creates more

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: Poetic verse in epics typically enhances clarity and rhythm, not confusion, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: The excerpt shows a long journey (four hundred miles, a thousand miles, three days/nights for a six - week ordinary journey) and Gilgamesh's actions (climbing mountaintop, etc.). This long and difficult journey highlights his strength and endurance, which fits epic conventions of showing heroic traits.
3. The third option (partially visible) about gods' interference is not supported here as the excerpt focuses on the journey and Gilgamesh's actions, not divine interference.

Answer:

The long and difficult journey reflects how strong and enduring Gilgamesh is.