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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much time is Tanus given to restore order to the Upper Kingdom?

2. Why does Taita keep separate from the crowds?

3. What color does Lostris wear to prove she is a virgin bride?

4. In the festival pageant, who plays the role of Seth, an evil god?

5. Why was Taita made a eunuch when he was sixteen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What condition is Tanus in when Taita finally finds him? How is this condition similar to Lostris's desire for death on her wedding night? How is Taita able to save Tanus in much the same way he saved Lostris?

2. What is Tanus's reaction to the news of Lostris's coming marriage? What does this reveal about his character? Is this an admirable reaction?

3. How does Taita describe the hippo hunt? How does he see the animal in relation to divinity? What is the effect of the hippo hunt on Taita?

4. What is the immediate effect as Tanus begins to rout the Shrikes? How does this change affect people's loyalty to Pharaoh? What do you think might be the long-term effects of this new loyalty?

5. What are Taita's emotions during and after the battle with the Shrikes? How do these emotions explain several facets of his personality? What does this say for Smith's ability to create a complex character?

6. What will be the crowning moment of Pharaoh's life? What is Taita's reaction to this moment and how does the reaction seem contrary to Egyptian thought?

7. Why is Taita angered when he sees Lord Intef in Thebes? What does this reveal to the reader about Taita's character?

8. What are Taita's first descriptions of Lostris? How are his emotions different from what the reader might expect of a eunuch? How does it help explain his character?

9. What danger does Taita find in his basket of pomegranates and mangoes? What does this danger say about his place in society?

10. When the people cry out to Pharaoh to give Tanus mercy from the death sentence, what does Pharaoh do? What leads to this decision? Does it show Pharaoh's mercy or his weakness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What significance is there in the fact that Memnon's first wife is from another culture? Does it counteract Lostris's desire that Egypt remain a wandering nation in Cush rather than settling down? How does this expand the range of Egypt's power even before Memnon becomes king?

Essay Topic 2

When Lostris thinks she is pregnant for the fourth time, what is the truth? How does this short scene illustrate the understanding she and Taita have with each other?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Taita question the value of treasure-laden tombs? Is he right to question the tombs? How is his judgment unclouded while Pharaoh's is caught up only in his funerary treasure (152, 365)?

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