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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. What does Venus claim the Trojans would have been better off doing after Troy was destroyed by the Greeks?

2. What is Iulus' first feat of arms?

3. What mission do Nisus and Euryalus take on?

4. What does Venus use to convince her husband Vulcan to make armor for Aeneas?

5. How does Arruns kill Camilla?

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine the advice and prophecy that Faunus gives his son Latinus. Rewrite in your own words what he is saying.

2. What might Evander mean when he says that it isn't empty-headed superstition that leads them to celebrate?

3. What are some actions that demonstrate the strong friendship between Nisus and Euryalus?

4. Why is it significant that in Latinum, Aeneas and some of his followers eat the wheaten cakes they were using as plates for their meal?

5. What does Evander mean when he tells Aeneas that Aeneas must have the courage to shape himself to fit through the low doorway into Evander's humble home, besides the literal fact that Aeneas is too tall to walk through the doorway without stooping a bit?

6. Who are the princes referred to in the book title, how do they die, and why might their deaths be particularly significant?

7. What suggestions are given in this book as to how the conflict can be resolved?

8. What does the use of Iris as a messenger at the end of Book IX tell the reader about the balance of power between the gods?

9. Did Nisus and Euryalus act wisely when attempting to carry out their mission? Why or why not?

10. How does Jupiter ensure that Aeneas will win the combat with Turnus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Virgil uses foreshadowing for reasons such as to introduce events he will discuss in greater detail later, to create suspense, and to kindle his audience's interest so they will continue to listen to the story. Identify three examples of foreshadowing in this work, explain how they work, and identify what Virgil's purpose might have been for using them.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the role of signs, portents, omens, prophesies, and so forth in The Aeneid. What are some forms these signs take? Who sends them, if anyone? Can false signs be sent, and if so, for what purpose? How do people fare when they interpret signs correctly and follow them? How do they fare when they try to act against them?

Essay Topic 3

How much of Turnus' fate at the end of The Aeneid is due to fate, and how much is it due to fortune? As you answer, consider and discuss the following points:

1) What effect did Jupiter have on the outcome of the fight and why?

2) How might things have turned out differently if Turnus had not taken plunder from Pallas?

3) What has Jupiter said all along about the interworkings of fate and fortune and the time allotted each man to live?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,148 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample