Question

pic beginnings
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,
what harm can come to us? let us go on so far
his massive axe; he swung it. it tore
into humbabas neck, the blood
shot out, again the axe bit flesh
and bone, the monster staggered, his eyes
rolled, and at the axes third stroke
he toppled like a cedar and crashed to the ground
in this excerpt, gilgamesh is most characterized as
strong because he is triumphant in battle
compassionate because he listens to his friend
practical because he does what it takes to survive
confident because he takes unnecessary risks

Explanation:

The text describes Gilgamesh using his axe to battle Humbaba. He swings the axe, which cuts into Humbaba's neck, and with the third stroke, Humbaba falls. This shows Gilgamesh's strength in battle. The other options are not supported: there's no mention of him being compassionate (listening to a friend in a way that shows compassion isn't the main focus here), practical (doing what it takes to survive isn't the key aspect shown), or taking unnecessary risks (the battle seems like a necessary task as they are in the forest to deal with Humbaba).

Answer:

strong because he is triumphant in battle.