read the excerpt from gilgamesh: a new english version. gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled. enkidu said…

read the excerpt from gilgamesh: a new english version. gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled. enkidu said, courage, dear friend, close your ears to humbabas curses. dont listen to a word. slaughter him! now! gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend, came to himself. what is the theme of the excerpt? one should ignore other peoples opinions. battle requires tremendous courage. soldiers must destroy their enemies. encouragement offers powerful motivation.

read the excerpt from gilgamesh: a new english version. gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled. enkidu said, courage, dear friend, close your ears to humbabas curses. dont listen to a word. slaughter him! now! gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend, came to himself. what is the theme of the excerpt? one should ignore other peoples opinions. battle requires tremendous courage. soldiers must destroy their enemies. encouragement offers powerful motivation.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Enkidu encourages Gilgamesh, and Gilgamesh regains his resolve. This shows that encouragement (from Enkidu) gives Gilgamesh motivation (to act against Humbaba). The first option is incorrect as Enkidu is giving advice, not saying to ignore all opinions. The second option about battle courage is too general compared to the specific interaction of encouragement here. The third option about soldiers is not relevant as the focus is on the encouragement - motivation dynamic between two characters, not a general soldier - enemy destruction theme.

Answer:

Encouragement offers powerful motivation.