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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. Pelops married Princess Hippodamia after defeating her father in ____________ to win her hand.

2. Midas asked for whatever he touched to turn to what?

3. What do these myths show?

4. With whom did Agamemnon's wife have an affair?

5. The House of Thebes was in many ways as unlucky as the House of Atreus, but their troubles seemed ________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the story of Procne, Philomela, and Tereus explain the origins of species?

2. What are the purpose of many of these stories?

3. Why might someone want a cornucopia?

4. How is this bad luck tied to the future of the city of Thebes?

5. Why were there many plays written about this family?

6. Compare one of these stories to a fairly tale or tall tale with which you are familiar.

7. How did the bad luck of the House of Atreus begin? Why did it continue?

8. What are the Danaids known for doing? Why might they have done this?

9. What is the moral message of this family's stories?

10. Why is the Odyssey considered an epic poem? Why was it so important to the Greeks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mythology has been an important part of human cultures around the world.

Part 1) Support this statement with information from this text, as well as information you have learned from other sources. Why is mythology so important to humans? What does it provide mankind?

Part 2) Why have certain mythologies, such as Greek mythology, been so important for other cultures besides their own? How has Greek mythology and Greek culture influenced other areas of the world? How are the cultures of others seen in the way people live in the United States, and even in the way our country operates?

Part 3) Does modern mythology exist? If so, what is it? If not, why not? What information and beliefs from today will be passed on to future generations? How might our beliefs and ideas influence those living in the future? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

King Midas was rewarded by Bacchus.

Part 1) Describe the story of King Midas. Why was he rewarded? How did this reward affect him? What does this reveal about King Midas? What can be learned from this story?

Part 2) How does Midas' story compare to other myths? What theme or themes can be found in this story? How is each theme also popular in other Greek myths? How might each theme also be important to the ancient Greeks? Are these themes important today? Why or why not?

Part 3) What is a tale or myth that is told today in the U.S.? Describe this tale. What are the themes found in this tale? What is the moral of this tale? How does this tale compare to Greek mythology? What does this tale reveal about modern Americans?

Essay Topic 3

Murder frequently takes place in Greek mythology.

Part 1) Describe two stories in which a murder or murders take place. Why do these murders take place? How do these murders affect the other characters in the story? How might the murders affect those who hear this story?

Part 2) Is murder a popular theme of American folk tales? Why or why not? What does this reveal about the Greeks? What does this reveal about Americans? How does this theme of murder add to the drama and tragedy of Greek mythology?

Part 3) What do you believe is the most popular of themes in American tales? Use at least two stories to support this belief. Why is this a popular theme? What does this reveal about Americans?

(see the answer keys)

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