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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 advice does Circe give Odysseus regarding Scylla and Charybdis?

2. How many times has the meeting of the assembly occurred since Odysseus left?

3. In order to tell Telemachus of Odysseus' fate, where does Menelaus' tale begin?

4. How does Eurylochus react when Odysseus tells his crew to follow him to Circe's house?

5. Who gets Telemachus' supplies of wine and barley for his quest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the behavior of the suitors at the assembly in Book 2.

2. Is the punishment of the slave maids in Book 22 just and reasonable?

3. How is Odysseus discovered by the maids of Phaecia?

4. Why does Menelaus mourn so much for Odysseus?

5. Why does Homer begin the last book in the halls of the dead?

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

7. Does Nausicaa act properly towards Odysseus when giving aid in Book 6?

8. Why is Eurymachus' offer of recompense not enough for Odysseus?

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

10. How does Calypso feel about releasing Odysseus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Evaluate Odysseus as hero. Is he a worthy hero or is he too selfish? Use evidence from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

Sociologists can glean quite a bit of information about a culture from surviving literature. Use The Odyssey to illuminate the values of this society. What ideals are valued? What are some distinguishing characteristic of the Ancient Achaeans?

Essay Topic 3

The Odyssey contains a dark side; Odysseus faces many monsters, a witch, and the underworld. What do these elements symbolize and why are they important for Odysseus to experience? Use the text to support your answer.

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