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.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

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.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

"...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.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

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