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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. In the opinion of the author, how does Hera's power compare to the influence of her husband?

2. How many songs are used to compose the Homeric Hymns?

3. How is Hermes's defense described in the first hymn?

4. How does Hermes's mother discover that he has been up to no good?

5. As mentioned in The Second Hymn to Hera, who offers the praises to her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unique about the length of The Hymn to Hermes and what is Hermes known for?

2. What are the varying lengths of the hymns?

3. What is one of the theories for why some of the hymns are so short?

4. What leads historians to believe that Homer either wrote or was influential in the writing of the hymns?

5. How is Hermes born and raised?

6. What does Hermes do with the cattle, and how do his mother and Apollo respond?

7. How is Artemis's beauty portrayed in The Second Hymn to Artemis.

8. According to The Hymn to the Earth, how do the Earth's blessings manifest?

9. How does the poet explain Hera's power?

10. What happens during and after the "trial" of Hermes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the description of Hera in The Hymn to Hera with her involvement in various hymns throughout the collection. Include examples and your analysis of why the poet chose to only portray her positive qualities in The Hymn to Hera.

Essay Topic 2

Nature is a major element that is explored in Greek mythology.

1) Explain The Hymn to the Earth and the ways that Earth's blessings are manifested, using the hymn to provide examples of the Earth's characteristics and qualities, as well as what the poet gives her credit for and why.

2) Analyze the metaphors that are used in The Hymn to the Sun and The Hymn to the Moon along with the different powers that both the sun and moon possess.

3) Explain the origin of Castor and Pollux and what their existence means to the Greeks and nature.

Essay Topic 3

This essay will be about The Hymn to Artemis, The Second Hymn to Artemis, and the role of women warriors in Greek mythology.

1) Describe Artemis as she is presented in the hymn.

2) Explain why Artemis is known for two qualities that are not usually associated with each other.

3) Analyze the general purposes of the shorter hymns and what the intentions might have been in writing The Hymn to Artemis.

4) Using The Hymn to Athena, compare Artemis with Athena and their influence on war and in general.

(see the answer keys)

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