The monster let out a deafening cry, his roar boomed forth like a blast of thunder,
he stamped and the ground burst open, his steps
split the mountains of Lebanon,
the clouds turned black, a sulfurous fog
descended on them and made their eyes ache.
Then Shamash threw strong winds at Humbaba,
the south wind, the north wind, the east and the
west,
storm wind, gale wind, hurricane, tornado,
to pin him down and paralyze his steps.
He could not move forward, could not retreat.
–Gilgamesh: A New English Translation,
Stephen Mitchell
What conclusion about Gilgamesh’s character can be drawn from this passage?
He embarks on a long, difficult journey.
He is a confident and compelling speaker.
He receives help from the supernatural.
He is a strong, courageous leader.