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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 Circe feel after defeating Scylla?

2. What does Circe fear Telemachus has come to Aiaia to do?

3. What animal does Circe transform to try to trick Scylla?

4. What is one ingredient Circe uses in her potion to protect Telegonus?

5. How does Circe keep Telemachus safe from Scylla?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Penelope ask Circe for to help her mourn for her husband?

2. What is the real reason Penelope wanted to come to Aiaia with Telegonus and Telemachus?

3. What does Penelope teach Telegonus to do that he had never been able to do before?

4. What does Circe think Athena must feel when her son Telegonus says he will go to Italy in Telemachus's place?

5. Why does Telegonus leave Aiaia for the first time?

6. Why does Circe fear Penelope and Telemachus at first in Chapter 21?

7. In Chapter 17, what choice does Circe begin to hope Odysseus might make?

8. What kinds of stories does Odysseus tell Circe about his life during Chapter 16?

9. How does Circe keep Telemachus safe as they face Scylla?

10. What happens to Telegonus on Ithaca?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Circe speaks, in her first-person narration, of her own recklessness as the novel progresses. Choose two or three instances in which Circe takes risks or engages in what she herself cites as reckless behavior and write an essay about her motivations and the results of her actions.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Circe try to convince Medea to separate herself from Jason, and what does Medea's reaction to Circe's entreaties reveal about women's place in society at that time, even if they were deities? Write an essay explaining your answer, drawing on specific references from the text for support.

Essay Topic 3

Why is it enough for Trygon to know that a person who comes to seek his poison is willing to endure endless agony without actually asking the person to go through with it? What is it about Circe's character that allows her to push though her reservations and pass Trygon's test to win the valuable venom? Write an essay explaining your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample