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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. Where is Medea traveling to when she leaves Aiaia?

2. Who does the fisherman who becomes a god spurn Circe in favor of?

3. What does Pasiphae's child do to Circe during the birthing process?

4. What does Circe's first divine visitor ask of her when he comes to Aiaia in Chapter 8?

5. What animal does Circe transform the sailors into in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Circe cast her spell on Scylla?

2. What does Pasiphae allude to about her relationship with Perses in Chaoter 11 that shocks Circe?

3. Why is Circe disgusted with Hermes' telling of how Ariadne dies?

4. How does Circe help Prometheus in Chapter 2?

5. What does Prometheus do that brings Zeus's wrath upon him?

6. What gift does Daedalus give to Circe when she leaves Crete and what does it symbolize?

7. What is Prometheus's eventual permanent punishment by Zeus?

8. How do Daedalus and Icarus escape Crete?

9. In Chapter 11, what does Pasiphae tell Circe is the only thing that Helios and the rest of the gods care about?

10. Why does Circe think the house on Aiaia is so lovely in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is Circe attracted to Daedalus, and what does the extraordinary loom he sends her back to Aiaia with symbolize? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Circe's sister Pasiphae contrives deliberately to give birth to the monster, the Minotaur, and then insists Circe be the one to attend her at the birth. Why does Pasiphae do both of these things, and what does the Minotaur symbolize? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Circe speaks, in her first-person narration, of her own recklessness as the novel progresses. Choose two or three instances in which Circe takes risks or engages in what she herself cites as reckless behavior and write an essay about her motivations and the results of her actions.

(see the answer keys)

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