Consider these themes from Gilgamesh: A New English Version. Battle forces people to acknowledge their mortality.
Success in battle results in glory.
Which statement best describes how these themes interact in the tale?

A. Gilgamesh and Enkidu are afraid of the threat that Humbaba poses to their lives, so they forego a chance at fame.
B. Gilgamesh and Enkidu's desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death.
C. When Humbaba threatens to kill Enkidu and Gilgamesh, he claims that he will achieve great fame.
D. When Humbaba is aware that Gilgamesh is going to kill him, he begs for his death to be an honorable one.

The statement that best describes how these themes interact in the tale is:

B. Gilgamesh and Enkidu's desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death.

Explanation:

“I haven’t established my name as my destiny decrees. You just said it in this dream,” he told Enkidu. “My name must be written in the place where the names of the famous are written, and where there is no famous name written I will raise a monument to the gods. There is an evil in the land and because of this, we will go to the forest and destroy it.”

The passage above, taken from the Epic of Gilgamesh, serves as evidence for the answer we have chosen. The epic Sumerian hero and king Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu are able to overcome their fear of death because of their desire to obtain glory. Even though they know going into a battle with Humbaba will be the utmost reminder of their own mortality, they keep their eyes on the prize: eternal fame. As a matter of fact, that is a common trait when it comes to epic heroes. They believe it is the highest honor to have their names remembered by generations to come.

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explanation: