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

2. Having left Ogygia and survived Poseidon's attack, what is Odysseus' new problem, now that he spots land?

3. What sign is witnessed by the entire assembly when Telemachus calls upon Zeus for justice in Book 2?

4. Who killed Aegisthus for the murder of Agamemnon?

5. Who interrupts Phemius' sad song of the Achaeans in Book 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Hercules serves as a reminder for/about?

3. What relationship do the Phaecians have with the gods?

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

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

6. Why does Circe help Odysseus in Book 10?

7. Why does Athene reveal her presence to Telemachus and Nestor in Book 3?

8. How does a naked Odysseus ask for help among Nausicaa and the maids?

9. What is similar to Odysseus' real plight in his fictional tale to Eumaeus in Book 14?

10. In what ways does Odysseus reveal his crafty mind in his encounter with the cyclops?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most literary works have an antagonist. Is there one in The Odyssey? Explain your answer using the text.

Essay Topic 2

In order to be a leader, generally a person must exhibit certain qualities - nobility, honesty, and chivalry just to name a few. Having a good helping of charisma goes a long way as well. Antinous and Eurymachus are leaders among the suitors, a group of men who lack many positive qualities. Compare the two men. Evaluate which is the better man by determining who has more qualities that are positive and defining what those qualities are.

Essay Topic 3

Vengeance and/or law being exercised fuel much of the action in this epic poem. It is an act of vengeance, which keeps Odysseus so long from his homeland? It is an act of vengeance, which slaughters the suitors? It is vengeance, which moves half the men of Ithaca to attack Odysseus on the farm? Where does the death of Odysseus' crew for the cattle of the Sun fit in? Why does Athena condone the slaughter of the suitors? Select three of these acts. Analyze each act, making sure to include mitigating factors, and determine which are criminal and which are legitimate.

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