Question

passage 2: gilgamesh and the quest for immortality by susan gundlach 1 powerful and arrogant, gilgamesh, the young king of uruk, was part god and part man. when the elders of uruk complained that he was not a wise and loving ruler, the gods listened. in response, they created a wild man of the steppe,¹ enkidu, as a “second image of gilgamesh,” a man equal to the mighty king. enkidu was to be sent to fight gilgamesh and teach him humility. 2 when the day came for enkidu and gilgamesh to do battle, the two heroes wrestled so strenuously that they broke the door post of the marketplace and shook the city’s walls. but then a wonderful change took place. gilgamesh had won the fight, but he now recognized that enkidu was indeed his equal and praised his opponent: “enkidu has no match... in the wilderness he was born; no one stands against him.” enkidu also realized his special relationship with gilgamesh, and the two men embraced. enkidu called gilgamesh “friend” and a relationship was formed that changed the life and ways of gilgamesh forever. ¹steppe: a large area of flat, unforested grassland excerpt from “gilgamesh and the quest for immortality” by susan gundlach. copyright © 2006 by ivy close pub. co. reprinted by permission of ivy close pub. co. via copyright clearance center passage 3: an unusual battle 10 in passage 1, the poet repeats the idea that the rivals fight like men, demolishing the marketplace and the wall. how does this stylistic choice enhance the meaning of the passage? a it emphasizes the extraordinary strength of gilgamesh and enkidu. b it foreshadows that enkidu will be the likely victor of the confrontation. c it highlights the anger and hostility that enkidu feels toward gilgamesh. d it suggests that gilgamesh is acting in an intentionally theatrical manner.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The text says the two fought so strenuously they broke a door post and shook the city’s walls. This shows their great strength, so this option makes sense.
• Option B: The passage says Gilgamesh won the fight, so Enkidu isn't the likely victor. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The passage shows they become friends, so Enkidu's feelings aren't anger/hostility. Eliminate C.
• Option D: There's no indication Gilgamesh is acting theatrically. Eliminate D.

Answer:

A. It emphasizes the extraordinary strength of Gilgamesh and Enkidu.