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15 multiple-choice questions from before the midterm; 30 from after.Last year’s essay questions:Essay One:A. Describe four or more stories from the course both in their legendary and in their folk-tale aspects.B. Describe four or more stories from our course (from different authors) using one of the possible definitions of the terms "classical” and "mythology" outlined at the beginning of the course.C. Describe the role of justice, as understood in the ancient contexts, in at least four of the stories we have read.
A. Choose one of the following passages. Identify its author and work. Explain some of the ethical and cultural points of the author in contrast with other authors we’ve read. Make sure to mention at least five stories or incidents to illustrate:i. My purpose is to tell of bodies that have been transformed into shapes of a different kind. You heavenly powers, since you were responsible for those changes, as for all else, look favorably on my attempts, and spin an unbroken thread of verse, from the earliest beginnings of the world down to my own times.ii. Arms and the man I sing, who, first from frontiers Of Troy, by fate an exile, came to Lavinian Shores, that man much tossed on lands and sea by the violence of the gods because of the mindful anger of savage Juno. Having suffered many things also in war, until he founded a city and introduced his gods to latium, when ce come the Latin race, the Alban fathers, and the walls of high Rome.B. Imagine two or more stories from epic texts we have read and describe how they might be made material for tragedies. What makes them appropriate material, and what changes, aside from staging, would have to be made to complete the changes.
Medea and Jason 7.20 One way desire, another reason calls; the better course I see and do approve - the worse I follow.
Medea and Aeson 7.284 Medea drew her blade and slit the old king’s throat and let the blood run out and filled his veins and arteries with her elixir.
Medea and Pelias: her flight 7.392 But when her witch’s poison had consumed the new wife, and the sea on either side had seen the royal palace all in flames , the wicked sword was drenched in her sons’ blood.
Minotaur 8.155 The monstrous hybrid beast declared the queen’s obscene adultery. Pasiphae
Philemon and Baucis8.710 since in concord we have spent our years, grant that the selfsame hour may take us both, that I my consort’s tomb may never see, nor may it fall to bury me.
Orpheus and Eurydice 10.50 He turned his eyes-and straightway she slipped away. He stretched his arms to hold her - to be held- and clasped, poor soul, nothing but the yielding air.
Hyacinth 10.175 The heavy disk at last fell back to the familiar earth, a proof of skill, and strength with skill. Then straightway, Hyacinth, unthinking, in the excitement . . . Ran out to seize it, but it bounded back from the hard surface full into his face.
Pygmalion 10. 270 Vouchsafe, o gods, if all things you can grant, my bride shall be . . . The living likeness of my ivory girl.
Myrrha 10. 475 Eager to know who was the girl who loved him, Cinyras brought in a lamp and saw his crime and her his daughter.
Atalanta and Hippomenes 10. 660 “Many a time she slowed when she might pass and gazed into his eyes, and with a heavy heart left him behind.
11. Death of Orpheus 40. He pleaded then with hands outstretched, and in that hour for the first time his words were useless and his voice of no avail.
Death of Achilles12.616 Yet still his glory lives to fill the whole wide world. By that true gauge he’s measured and by that his greatness matched.
Ajax and Ulysses13.35 Shall I be refused these arms for this, that I took arms before him, needed no one to expose me?13.135 Who’d better win, as heir of great Achilles, than the man who won the aid of great Achilles for the Greeks?
Hecuba, Polyxena, and Polydorus (Polymestor)13.480 On the ground, her knees failing, she sank and held her look of fearless resolution to the last; And she took trouble, as she fell, to wrap up what should be kept in privacy.13.560 Shouting to the crowd of captive women, she attacked the king and dug her fingers in his eyes, his treacherous eyes.
Pilgrimage of AeneasSibyl - 14.140 “Pointing toward a gathered heap of dust, I asked in my futile folly to attainbirthdays as many as those dusty grains.”
Triumph and Apotheosis of Aeneas (Indiges)14.600 his mother anointed him with heavenly perfume and, upon his lips touching ambrosia and sweet nectar, made her son a god whom now the Romans name Indiges. (indigenous)
Legends of Early Rome: The Apotheosis of Romulus14.810 since now the Roman state stands firm on great foundations, not dependent still on one man’s power, award the promised prize (earned by my grandson, promised to us both) that he be taken from earth and placed in heaven. QuirinusHirsilia - Hora
Numa and the Foundation of Crotona15.62 a Samian by birth, but he had fled from Samos and its masters and, hating tyranny, by his own choice became an exile.75 Abstain, preserve your bodies unabused.
Apotheosis of Julius Caesar15.868 Grant the day dawn far off, a time beyond our generation, when Augustus’ soul, leaving the world he rules, to heaven repairs.
Conclusionnot the wrath of JoveI’ll be born, the finer part of me, above the stars, immortal, and my name shall never die.Wherever . . . The might of Rome extendsIf truth is established by poetic prophecy, my fame shall live to eternityfamâ . . . vivam.
