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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. Who finally stops Odysseus's reign of terror on Ithaca?

2. What does Telemachus say to Athena's offer?

3. In Chapter 27, what magic does Circe prepare to do on herself?

4. Who is Odysseus's father?

5. Where must Odysseus pass by on his way back to Ithaca?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Circe suspect the gods of doing to torment her during childbirth?

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

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

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

5. What does Circe use as leverage against Helios when she summons him to ask him to lift her exile in Chapter 25?

6. How does Odysseus describe his wife Penelope to Circe?

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

8. In Chapter 17, what choice does Circe begin to hope Odysseus might make?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Circe is repulsed by the way most of her family, the gods, live and conduct themselves in their relationships with each other and with mortals. Write an essay exploring Circe's feelings towards her fellow gods and explain why, at the end of the novel, she chooses to try to become a mortal herself.

Essay Topic 2

From the first ship bearing Daedalus to the small ship Circe finally leaves Aiaia on with Telemachus centuries later, ships play an important role in the action of this novel. Write an essay analyzing the symbolism of ships in Circe.

Essay Topic 3

How does Circe come to view her lover, Odysseus, after she gets to know him during the time he and his men spend on Aiaia? What does she see as his strengths and his flaws, and why do you think she eventually decides to have his child? Write an essay explaining your answer.

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