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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 is Penelope's reason for wanting to come to Aiaia?

2. Which of Circe's wolves is the most attached to Telegonus?

3. What does Athena tell Telemachus she wants him to do?

4. How is Penelope related to Helen of Troy?

5. Who comes to Aiaia with a prophecy for Odysseus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Telegonus on Ithaca?

2. What does Penelope ask Circe for to help her mourn for her husband?

3. What does Telemachus give to Telegonus as a parting gift?

4. In Chapter 24, why do Telemachus and Penelope need some time to talk and walk alone?

5. Why does Telegonus leave Aiaia for the first time?

6. In Chapter 24, what does Telegonus tell Circe he is surprised about having to do with her protective spell on Aiaia that keeps the gods out?

7. What does Circe think Athena must feel when her son Telegonus says he will go to Italy in Telemachus's place?

8. What kind of a disposition does Circe's baby, Telegonus, have as an infant?

9. In Chapter 22, what does Telemachus tell Circe he and his mother, Penelope, had to endure while Odysseus was away at the wars?

10. Which god comes to Aiaia to give a prophecy about Odysseus to Circe, and what does she tell him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After some initial and understandable awkwardness, Circe and Penelope, Odysseus's wife, cultivate something that approaches affection and friendship. Write an essay comparing and contrasting Circe's and Penelope's traits, and explain why the two women were able to find common ground despite the difficulties of their connection.

Essay Topic 2

Why is it so important to Circe to finally destroy Scylla in Chapter 25, so important that she risks both hers and Telemachus's life to do it? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing references from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Circe has a special skill for spells that deal with transformations. Write an essay exploring the different ways and the various purposes for which Circe uses transformation spells throughout the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 730 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample