Theseus and the Minotaur

"If the figure that guarded Crete was made of brass, then the monarch, who ruled over it, might be thought to have a still harder metal in his breast, and might have been called a man of iron."

What is the author trying to show by comparing Minos to the metal giant that guards Crete?

• Minos is strong and brave.

• Minos is unfeeling and heartless.

• Minos is dangerous and tough.

• Minos is oblivious and unaware.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Why about Theseus draws Minos' attention when the king first examines the prisoners?

• Theseus is calm and brave.

• Theseus is stronger and healthier.

• Theseus is dressed in a royal fashion.

• King Minos recognizes Theseus.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

What evidence does the author give to show that Ariadne believes differently from her father?

• "...she grew a hundred times more pitiful than before."

• "She was a beautiful and tender-hearted maiden,..."

• "She really wept, indeed, at the idea of how much human happiness would be needlessly thrown away,..."

• "And when she beheld the brave, spirited figure of Prince Theseus bearing himself so calmly in his terrible peril,..."

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which statement from the selection best displays the fact that Theseus will be a loyal king?

• He must seek revenge on behalf of Athens.

• He is too brave to waste time sleeping.

• He uses Ariadne to escape the island.

• He refuses to leave Crete without rescuing the other prisoners.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

"That Dædalus was a very cunning workman; but of all his artful contrivances, this labyrinth is the most wondrous."

Based on this excerpt, what does contrivances most likely mean?

• work of art

• a great discovery

• amazing story

• man-made creation

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

"...every human being who suffers anything evil to get into his nature, or to remain there, is a kind of Minotaur..."

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• If you suffer evil you are treated like a monster.

• People that act in an evil manner are shunned by society and have no friends.

• People that give in to evil thoughts and actions are figurative monsters.

• Everyone does bad things sometimes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Although the author makes the point that Theseus is not afraid, what does he say comforts him as he meets the minotaur?

• Ariadne at the end of the thread.

• His gold-hilted sword.

• The thoughts of saving his people.

• The thought of returning home to his father.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

There are many versions to this story. According to page 8, what is an alternate ending to the story of Ariadne and Theseus?

• Ariadne marries Theseus and becomes the queen of Athens.

• Ariadne refuses to leave with Theseus because she is afraid of her father.

• Ariadne leaves with Theseus but he leaves her stranded on an island.

• Theseus takes revenge on Minos and becomes king of Crete.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

How do Theseus and the prisoners avoid Talus the brass guard of Crete?

• The prisoners leave at night and are unseen.

• The prisoners are allowed to go free because they had defeated the minotaur.

• Talus could not turn around in time to stop them.

• Talus stretched too far with his club and sank.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

How did Theseus' victory ironically turn to tragedy?

• Due to their great celebration, the prisoners became lost at sea.

• Theseus' victory started another war between Athens and Crete.

• Theseus was so happy that he forgot to change sails?

• Their celebration alerted King Minos of their escape.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.8.9