Question

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

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.

This excerpt is repeated several times. What effect does this repetition have on the epic?

It shows that Gilgamesh is a courageous hero who seeks adventure.
It shows that Gilgamesh's journey is both very long and very difficult.
It shows that the landscape Gilgamesh is traveling is distant and vast.
It shows that the supernatural are leading Gilgamesh during his quest.

Answer 1

It emphasizes the gods' involvement—each repeated ritual followed by a gust of wind frames Gilgamesh's quest as being guided by supernatural signs, showing the divine are leading him.