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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are there so few boars among Odysseus' swine in Book 14?

2. Where is Telemachus supposed to put all the fighting gear that lies about Odysseus' hall?

3. In Book 24, In the halls of the dead, what were the heroes' shades discussing?

4. What time of day do Odysseus and the Phaecians set sail in Book 13?

5. At his first feast in his own house, who throws a stool at Odysseus the beggar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Penelope uses two devices that delay making a decision about marriage and manipulate the suitors. Appraise the effectiveness of each device towards her overall goal. Upon what does each rely? What does each device reveal about her potential husband? Evaluate which device was most useful for her purposes.

Essay Topic 3

Homer repeats that Zeus is the friend and patron of strangers and supplicants. Odysseus finds himself at the mercy of others with mixed success. One end of his trip he is cursed for defending himself when mercy isn't shown, and the other end of his trip he is sent home like a god. Why doesn't Zeus punish the cyclops, or why is Odysseus allowed to be punished?

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This section contains 371 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample