Question

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,

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,
what harm can come to us?\

the author includes this excerpt to establish gilgamesh as

a ruthless warrior.

a compelling speaker.

a devoted servant of shamash.

a long - distance traveler.

Explanation:

In the excerpt, Gilgamesh uses persuasive language ("Please stay...", and the metaphors about boats/rope) to encourage Enkidu to stay and fight together. This shows his ability to convince, fitting "a compelling speaker". Other options don't match: he isn't ruthless here, nor focused on being a servant or traveler.

Answer:

a compelling speaker