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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. Why are Aeneas and his people supposed to settle in Hesperia?

2. What does Palinurus' ghost ask Aeneas to do when he returns to the world?

3. What does Neptune say must happen for Aeneas and his followers to have save passage over the seas?

4. Why does Venus send a fake Ascanius to Dido?

5. What hides Aeneas' identity as he travels through Carthage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What message does Anchises give Aeneas in a dream?

2. Why should Aeneas not have tried to found a city in Thrace?

3. How does Aeneas feel about having to leave Dido and to what extent does he allow his feelings to influence his decision to leave her?

4. What are some instances where Aeneas betrays a hastiness in temperament in Book 2?

5. How does talking to Anchises prepare Aeneas to go build a new city for the Trojans in Italy?

6. What are Neptune's feelings toward Troy and toward Aeneas? How do these feelings affect Aeneas' journey on the sea?

7. Describe the Harpies.

8. What does Jupiter predict will be the destiny of the Trojans?

9. What qualities of a good queen/leader does Dido exemplify? Cite specific examples from the book in your answer.

10. Describe the "marriage" between Dido and Aeneas.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aeneas and Turnus are, respectively, the protagonist and antagonist of the story. Compare and contrast these two characters using examples from the text to identify ways their actions and fates parallel each other and ways they are alike or different in their personalities and beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

Ultimately, how do you think Fate and Fortune work in the lives of any and all of the characters in The Aeneid? Use examples from the text to discuss issues such as:

1) How predetermined is fate and can it be changed? If so, by whom?

2) How are good or bad fortunes won?

3) How free or constrained are the gods and goddesses to act with or against fated outcomes?

Essay Topic 3

The Aeneid is full of examples of images that pop up over and over again. Select one of the following and trace and evaluate examples of its use throughout the work:

1) thunderbolts and lightning

2) fire

3) hunting

4) snakes

5) storms.

(see the answer keys)

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