1. How is a king supposed to behave? What is appropriate and inappropriate?

2. Are there checks on his power in the city? What are they and how significant are they? How would you characterize the political organization of Uruk?

3. On the basis of the presentation of Gilgamesh, how would you define a hero in Sumerian culture? Is Gilgamesh excessive in his behavior, or is he only acting as would be expected of a hero (and a king)?

4. How important is reputation?

5. Why is it important for Gilgamesh and Enkidu to kill Humbaba?

6. What function do women play in the story?

7. How are the gods viewed? What is their function? How directly do they intervene in human affairs?

8. Is the world depicted a safe and harmonious place, or precarious and uncertain? What are the problems one could face? What views about nature emerge from the story?

9. How would you define the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu? What is important about friendship to them?

10. Why does the flood happen? Why is Utnapishtim singled out to be saved?

11. How is death regarded?