Epic Poetry

Epic Poetry Review

Multiple Choice

What makes a character an epic hero?

• The character is flawed

• The character has a noble or special birth

• They have superhuman qualities

• All are true!

Multiple Choice

What is Minerva's purpose in her discussion with Achilles?

Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes at once knew that she was Minerva. “Why are you here,” said he, “daughter of aegis-bearing Jove? To see the pride of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you — and it shall surely be — he shall pay for this insolence with his life.” And Minerva said, “I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword.

• She has come to pay her respects to the pride of Agamemnon’s son Atreus.

• She has come to pay her respects to the pride of Agamemnon’s son, Peleus.

• She has come to stay Achilles’ love for her.

• She has come to stay Achille’s anger and convince him to stop his fighting and obey the gods.

Multiple Choice

How is Agamemnon characterized in the following line:

" He was a man if many counsels, a doer of daring deeds."

• wise and bold

• ruthless and calculating

• cowardly and timid

• patient and understanding

Multiple Choice

Which word in the above excerpt from Odyssey Book XI best develops the mood?

But that is the den of Scylla, where she yaps

abominably, a newborn whelp‘s cry,

though she is huge and monstrous. God or man,

no one could look on her in joy. Her legs—

and there are twelve—are like great tentacles,

unjointed, and upon her serpent necks

are borne six heads like nightmares of ferocity,

with triple serried rows of fangs and deep

gullets of black death.

• nightmares

• rows

• tentacles

• borne

Multiple Choice

Which line from the Odyssey is a simile?

• “Her legs---and there are twelve---are great tentacles, unjointed…”

• . “…her serpent necks are borne six heads like nightmares of ferocity…”

• . “But that is the den of Scylla…”

• “…with triple serried rows of fangs and deep gullets of black death…”

Multiple Choice

What did Agamemnon suggest to appease the anger of the god?

Then Agamemnon said, "But of this we will take thought hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly; let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send Chryseis also; further, let some chief man among us be in command, either Ajax, or Idomeneus, or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the anger of the god.”

• Sending Chryseis away

• Offering a sacrifice

• Putting a ship into the sea

• Assigning a chief man in command

Multiple Choice

Use context clues to determine the meaning of the word insolence as it is used in The Iliad.

Achilles scowled at him and answered, “You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain... I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me. I have no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich plains of Pythia; for between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea."

• honor

• anger

• lust

• greed

Multiple Choice

Which list below is the best list of epic poetry traits?

• 1st person point of view, villains, wealth, short, no meter, easy to read, modern

• 3rd person point of view, villains, Iambic Pentameter, lengthy, ancient.

• 1st person point of view, warrior hero with super strength, gods and goddesses, elevated language, long speeches, ancient.

• 3rd person point of view, warrior hero with super strength, gods and goddesses, elevated language, long speeches, ancient, sometimes contains meter, has supernatural elements.

Multiple Choice

What is the central theme of this quote from the Odyssey?

"It is a good thing to give ear to those who are wise and to keep their words in one's heart, for it is from such men that one can learn understanding and what is right."

• loyalty

• wisdom

• understanding

• righteousness

Multiple Choice

What theme is present in this quote from the Metamorphoses?

"Ah, how can I hold back my tears? How can I endure this pain? How can I still believe in the gods? What has been done to me? What can I do? My heart grows weak, my mind is in turmoil."

• Strength in the face of adversity

• Doubt in the power of the gods

• The power of transformation

• The consequences of betrayal

Multiple Choice

What is the tone of the following quote from "The Metamorphoses"?

"Ah, wretched I, forsaken by my kind, In whom no trace of shape remains behind, In whom no part of former self appears, But one sad mien of misery and tears!"

• optimistic

• cautious

• indifferent

• despairing

Multiple Choice

What mood is created in this excerpt from the Metamorphoses?

"But when it came to the final hour, The queen, who had so often ruled the day, Wept like a child, and all her strength gave way, And with a heavy heart she gave her son A last embrace, and then the funeral done"

• Caution

• Fear

• Anger

• Sadness