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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 Telemachus do on his and Circe's travels in Chapter 26?

2. What does Circe tell Telemachus about her history with Scylla?

3. What does Circe say to the goddess who demands she hand her son over?

4. Who was it that first suggested Penelope and Telemachus should come back to Aiaia?

5. What does Circe once tell Telemachus about family?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 16, why does Odysseus at first refuse to eat Circe's food?

3. What does Odysseus learn through the prophecy about how he will die?

4. What does Penelope teach Telegonus to do that he had never been able to do before?

5. Why does Circe fear Penelope and Telemachus at first in Chapter 21?

6. What is Circe's most significant act of transformation, which she preforms on herself in Chapter 27, meant to achieve?

7. What kinds of stories does Odysseus tell Circe about his life during Chapter 16?

8. How does Circe keep Telemachus safe as they face Scylla?

9. How does Telemachus reply to Athena when she makes her request of him?

10. What does Telemachus tell Circe about his father Odysseus's behavior when he returned from the wars to Ithaca?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Circe try to convince Medea to separate herself from Jason, and what does Medea's reaction to Circe's entreaties reveal about women's place in society at that time, even if they were deities? Write an essay explaining your answer, drawing on specific references from the text for support.

(see the answer keys)

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