The Iliad Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Book 1

1. At the beginning of Book 1, what are we told the story will be about?

2. What are the origins of Achilles' anger?

3. After Achilles tells his sorrows to his mother, what does his mother do?

4. Where does Achilles sit in sorrow, and what happens as a result?

Short Essay Question - Book 2

5. In Book 2, was Zeus' plan for Agamemnon successful?

6. What is Thersites speaking about in Book 2?

7. In Book 2, what...
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