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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 Andrew want Jesus to preach about in Capernaum?

2. Why is Mary Magdalene being chased, by a mob, to Capernaum?

3. What do the monks want Jesus to do?

4. Why does Jacob resist when Barabbas drags Mary Magdalene out?

5. What is Abbot Joachim's last speech about?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Curse?

2. What does Jesus say to comfort the poor in Capernaum, who look to him for guidance?

3. What occurs between Judas, Zebedee, and Philip when they meet in Capernaum during the storm?

4. Why does Judas Iscariot visit Jesus at the beginning of the novel?

5. What do Jesus and Nathaniel talk about at the wedding of Nathaniel's nephew?

6. What do Philip and Judas talk about after Judas leaves Capernaum?

7. What is the significance of the snakes, according to Jeroboam, Simeon, and Jesus?

8. What do Mary and Simeon talk about when he visits her in Chapter 5?

9. Why does Judas decide not to kill Jesus at the monastery?

10. Where does Jesus go in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jesus is tormented by dreams and visions. God and Satan are constantly battling for Jesus's allegiance. What tricks does the Devil employ to try and gain Jesus's loyalty? How is Jesus able to tell the difference between the Devil's tricks and God's messengers? Are there situations in which he is confused about whether it is God or the Devil communicating with him? If so, what are they? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The Curse follows Jesus throughout the course of the novel. How is the Curse described? Why is it following Jesus? What is its purpose? What is the significance of its armored, animalistic appearance? Why is the Curse later referred to as a mother figure? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Matthew writes one account of Jesus's genealogy, but he is forced by an angel to change what he has written, so that it is in accordance with prophecy. How does Matthew feel about doing so? Why? How does Jesus feel when he reads it? Why? Why does the angel force Matthew to lie? What is Kazantzakis trying to say about his views on scripture? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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