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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. How does Patroclus describe his relationship with Achilles now that Achilles and Agamemnon are in conflict?

2. What does Briseis teach Patroclus?

3. How does Achilles say he thinks of the Trojan warriors?

4. Who would be Ariston Achaion if Achilles were not?

5. How long has Patroclus lived with Achilles, by the time Achilles and Agamemnon are angry at each other?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Achilles prevent the mutiny in the fourth year of the war?

2. Describe the tension that is created in the meeting between Achilles and Agamemnon.

3. Describe the Greeks’ arrival in Troy.

4. What is it that prevents the Greeks from sailing to Troy from Aulis?

5. What is Achilles’ experiences of raiding like?

6. How does the battle go, once Achilles is not fighting?

7. How do Achilles and Patroclus differ in their approach to the dead?

8. How does Achilles react to Patroclus’ death?

9. What are Patroclus’ feelings during the crisis over Chriseis and Briseis?

10. What is Patroclus’ experience of fighting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the role of women in The Song of Achilles. How are they portrayed? What traits distinguish them from the men? What flexibility do the female characters have, to change how they are perceived, or to exceed the rules for women?

Essay Topic 2

Where is the climax of this book? Are there different climaxes? What questions does each climax resolve? What questions does each climax leave unanswered?

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is The Song of Achilles relevant to contemporary readers? What contemporary issues are at play in the book, and how would the book contribute to contemporary discussion? Cite specific discussions from contemporary sources, and cite specific instances from the book, that describe its contemporary relevance.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample