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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 Circe take from her old homeland?

2. Which animal does Telegonus take on Athena's ship with him?

3. Who is Odysseus's wife?

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

5. What does Helios say about Circe in relation to the rest of his children?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What was Telemachus trying to do when he saw that Telegonus and his father Odysseus were in a tense conversation on the shores of Ithaca?

5. Who does Telegonus bring back to Aiaia with him after visiting Ithaca?

6. Who is Odysseus's patron and why does she turn her back on him?

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

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

9. 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?

10. What is the real reason Penelope wanted to come to Aiaia with Telegonus and Telemachus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the sources of the difficulties and tensions that arise between Circe and her son Telegonus as Circe raises him in exile with her on Aiaia.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Hermes' and Circe's relationship. What does each character gain from the relationship, and for what reasons does it eventually end?

(see the answer keys)

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