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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Odysseus the beggar say he wants the bow after the suitors have all tried to use it?

2. How does Athene disguise Odysseus on Ithaca?

3. What does Theoclymenus tell Penelope about the omen of the birds?

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

5. Why doesn't Eumaeus want the old man to tell him tales of his master?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

This poem contains the stories of five pairs of husbands and wives. Explain what is to be learned about marriage from each pair. This should also include a discussion of the roles of men and women.

Essay Topic 3

The immortals personify the natural elements on Earth. As nature, they are omnipresent and humans are subject to their whims and their will. In many ways, this is the story of man vs. nature. Discuss various examples of how the gods through nature challenge Odysseus, and how he is able to overcome nature.

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This section contains 367 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample