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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 'Works and Days', who does Hermes deliver the maiden Zeus constructs to?

2. Who is Hesoid's brother?

3. Who should give people wealth according to Hesiod's poem 'Works and Days'?

4. What does Hesiod tell his brother to do, in 'Works and Days', if he wants wealth?

5. In 'Works and Days', who does Hesiod create a fable for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the silver generation in 'Works and Days'.

2. What does 'Works and Days' suggest a good man listens to?

3. Describe the lands of badness and goodness as described in 'Works and Days'.

4. According to 'Works and Days', at what age should an ox be when bought and why?

5. Describe what happens in the summertime in the poem 'Works and Days'.

6. Why, in 'Works and Days', does Hesiod tell his brother to turn his eyes away from his neighbor's riches?

7. In 'Works and Days', why does Hesiod say sailing is best 50 days after the solstice?

8. Who, in 'Works and Days', does Hesiod tell his brother not to trust and why?

9. In 'Works and Days', what are the two types of strife according to Hesiod?

10. When will the Gods ignore a mortals prayers according to 'Works and Days'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the differences between omens, superstitions and prophecies. How are they similar? How are they different? Chose one example of each from Hesiod's poem and explain how it fits that definition.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss two possible conflicts within 'Works and Days' and provide examples from the text that support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the story of the Eagle and the Nightingale. Why does Hesiod include this story in 'Works and Days'? What moral does it teach? Choose two elements of the fable and relate them to the overall theme of the poem.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 523 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample