Question

t 2: epic hero: gilgamesh
gilgamesh: a new english version, book v
translated by stephen mitchell
they stood at the edge of the cedar forest,
marveling at the great height of the trees.
they could see, before them, a well - marked trail
beaten by humbaba as he came and went.
from far off they saw the cedar mountain,
sacred to ishtar, where the gods dwell,
the slopes of it steep, and rich in cedars
with their sharp fragrance and pleasant shade
gripping their axes, their knives unsheathed,
they entered the forest and made their way through
the tangle of thorn bushes underfoot.

suddenly enkidu was seized by terror,
his face turned pale like a severed head.
he said to gilgamesh, \dear friend, i cannot
continue, i am frightened, i cannot go on.
you go into the dreadful forest,
you kill humbaba and win the fame.
i will return now to great - walled uruk,
and all men will know what a coward i have been.\

gilgamesh answered, \dear friend, dear brother,
i cannot kill humbaba alone.
please stay here with me. stand at my side.
two boats lashed together will never sink.
a three - ply rope is not easily broken.
if we help each other and fight side by side,
which lines from gilgamesh: a new english version best establish gilgamesh as triumphant in battle?
\i will stand by you. now let us attack.\
gilgamesh felt his courage return.
they charged at humbaba like two wild bulls.

gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,
came to himself. he yelled, he lifted
his massive axe

they took their axes and penetrated
deeper into the forest, they went
chopping down cedars, the woods chips flew

they bound logs together and built a raft.
enkidu steered it down the great river.
gilgamesh carried humbabas head

Explanation:

To determine which lines show Gilgamesh triumphant in battle, we analyze each option:

• First option: Shows courage returning and charging, not triumph.
• Second option: Shows him reacting to his friend, not triumph.
• Third option: Shows them chopping cedars, not battle triumph.
• Fourth option: Gilgamesh carrying Humbaba’s head implies he defeated Humbaba, showing triumph.

Answer:

The lines "They bound logs together and built a raft. Enkidu steered it down the great river. Gilgamesh carried Humbaba’s head" (the fourth option) best establish Gilgamesh as triumphant in battle.