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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. When do the Trojans finally break through the wall?

2. How does Helen entertain King Priam?

3. Who is the wise leader from Pylos who tries to stop Achilles and Agamemnon from arguing?

4. Why is Zeus awake at night in the beginning of Book 2?

5. Why does Hector chastise Paris when he finds Paris with the troops and not preparing to meet his challenger from the Greek army?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hector shame Paris into fighting the duel?

2. In Book 3, what is one emotion that Helen might be feeling, and why?

3. What do Odysseus and Diomedes do with the information they gain from the Trojan spy?

4. After Achilles tells his sorrows to his mother, what does his mother do?

5. At the end of Book 5, the gods withdraw from the fight. Why?

6. How are Hector and his wife different from Helen and Paris?

7. In Book 2, what do the Greek forces do to get help from the gods?

8. Dione gives some advice to Aphrodite in Book 5. What is that advice?

9. What are Achilles' two possible destinies according to his mother?

10. In Book 6, what is an example of the mercilessness of the Greeks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a contrast in the Iliad between war and peace, suffering and understanding. What are some of the symbols, events and characters in The Iliad which show this contrast?

Essay Topic 2

In The Iliad, the gods made choices on behalf of the Trojans and the Greeks. How did the fight among the mortals mirror the conflicts of the gods? Please use at least three specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

What is the role that friendship plays in the Iliad? Which two people best demonstrate this role of friendship?

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This section contains 711 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample