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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the first spirit to visit Odysseus in Hades ask him to do?
(a) Make more sacrifices at each place he stops.
(b) Go back to Aeaea and observe his funeral rites.
(c) Take care of his father, Laertes.
(d) Kill one of his men because the gods detest him.

2. In order to tell Telemachus of Odysseus' fate, where does Menelaus' tale begin?
(a) Troy.
(b) Lesbos.
(c) Pharos.
(d) Egypt.

3. What advice does Circe give Odysseus regarding Scylla and Charybdis?
(a) Take down Scylla with the mast of his ship.
(b) Odysseus will need lots of courage.
(c) Flight is best.
(d) Ply these monsters with a few of his crew.

4. According to Book 4, who did Menelaus capture?
(a) Athena.
(b) Poseidon.
(c) Eidothea.
(d) Proteus.

5. How did Odysseus anger the god(dess) who seeks to punish him in Book 1?
(a) He slaughtered some horses.
(b) He killed his own crew.
(c) He poked a cyclops' eye out.
(d) He failed to make a proper sacrifice.

Short Answer Questions

1. As a result of the meeting of the assembly in Book 2, what do the suitors decide to do?

2. Who led the group which wanted to leave Troy immediately after the war?

3. How does the Cyclops in Book 9 show hospitality?

4. What is special about the cattle and flocks of the Sun?

5. Which word best describes Odysseus' initial reaction when Calypso offers to help him in Book 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Odysseus tells his men about the Sirens. Why doesn't he share Circe's information and advice about Scylla and Charybdis?

2. How does Euryalus insult Odysseus when the Phaeacians are engaging in sport?

3. Enumerate Telemachus' problem - why has he called the leaders of Ithaca together?

4. In Book 15, why does Peisistratus let Telemachus go without seeing Nestor again? Is this wise?

5. From Helen and Menelaus' stories, what can be said about Odysseus?

6. Why does Telemachus lie to Antinous and Eurymachus, telling them Odysseus is dead?

7. Why is Poseidon still upset with Odysseus in Book 13? Why does he now seek vengeance against the Phaecians? What can they do?

8. How does Telemachus assert himself to his mother during the trial of the bow?

9. Describe Poseidon's attack on Odysseus in Book 5.

10. In Book 17, why does Telemachus sit amongst Odysseus' old friends when he returns home?

(see the answer keys)

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