Quiz 2: Becoming a Hero

[Coding]

1.

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Muse in Homer's poem? Check all that apply.

1 / 1 point

to use the poet as a mouthpiece

Correct

to back up Homer's claim that he is a god

to produce a sense of a sacred text that is literally true

to add a semi-divine quality to the act of storytelling

Correct

2.

Question 2

Choose the answer below that is the best response to the following statement: Homer is a poet obsessed with grandeur, so much so that he neglects small details in favor of the big picture.

1 / 1 point

This isn't a fair characterization of Homer's poetry; since he so successfully captures grand events, we can't also expect him to spend lots of time on small details.

That's just the right way to look at Homer's poetry.

This just isn't a fair characterization of Homer's poetry; it does not pay sufficient attention to the scene that closes book 1, and lots of others like it.

The fact that Homer recognizes the grandeur of the gods on Olympus and still focuses on the story of men on earth means that he's just looking for important historical events, and so it's natural that he would overlook the small ones.

Correct

3.

Question 3

What is the subject matter of the opening of book one of the Odyssey?

1 / 1 point

the idea of Odysseus as a hero undone by his own pride

the account of Telemachus’ address to the suitors

a man, a great war, and the cattle of the sun

the rage of Achilles

Correct

4.

Question 4

Choose the answer that best fills the blank: Telemachus blames _______ for his current situation.

1 / 1 point

Orestes

the gods

his father

his mother

Correct

5.

Question 5

In the second lecture of this week, we spoke of an idea we called "double determination." Check all statements below that express the core idea.

1 / 1 point

When bad things happen to good people, it is the gods’ fault; but when good things happen to bad people, the gods still get credit for it.

If something awful happens to a person, the gods and fate are thought to have made it happen, and it is also still considered to be the person’s fault.

Correct

When something good happens to a bad person, it shows that the Homeric gods are not paying attention.6.

Question 6

Who is Telemachus' primary mentor?

1 / 1 point

Nestor

Zeus

Eumaeus

Athena

Correct

7.

Question 7

In the Odyssey books one through four which of the following things happen? Check all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Telemachus discusses family values with Orestes.

Orestes teams up with his sister.

Odysseus greets queen Arete

Athena, in the guise of Mentor, urges Telemachus to become a man.

Correct

8.

Question 8

What is the proper emotional reaction of a hero to an injustice?

1 / 1 point

fear

all of these

disappointment

sorrow

anger

Correct

9.

Question 9

In what way do characters in the Odyssey hold up Orestes as a model for Telemachus?

1 / 1 point

He shows Telemachus the value of extreme wealth.

He demonstrates the correct way to make a sacrifice.

He demonstrates that you must take action against an injustice, no matter what it takes.

He follows the guidance given by Athena.

Correct

10.

Question 10

What happens when Telemachus meets Helen? Check all that apply.

1 / 1 point

Telemachus almost succeeds in stealing Helen away.

She recounts to him the story of Achilles and Agamemenon.

Helen shows her bewitching character and her skill at mixing a special elixir wine.

Correct

Telemachus learns of his father infiltrating Troy in the guise of a beggar.

Correct

11.

Question 11

What is the first action we see Odysseus accomplish, after he is told he is free to leave Calypso's island?

1 / 1 point

kill a boar

pillage a city

destroy Calypso's longstanding enemy to free her from his oppression

build a raft

Correct

12.

Question 12

What does Odysseus focus on in his address to Nausicaa?

1 / 1 point

her youth and vulnerability

her family’s social status and his desire to find some food

his wretchedness and formerly heroic status

her nobility and beauty

Correct

13.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the land of the Phaeacians?

1 / 1 point

isolation from other peoples and lands

abundance of crops

extraordinary wealth

monstrous hybrid beasts

Correct

14.

Question 14

What happens when Odysseus arrives at Alcinous' palace, the description of which is a good example of ring composition?

1 / 1 point

Homer begins his description with Nausicaa, digresses to the palace, and then returns to Arete.

Homer shows Odysseus literally moving in circles around the glorious palace, and so his circular movement mirrors the shape of a ring.

Homer has Odysseus arrive at Alcinous’ threshold, next he digresses on the wonder of the palace and grounds, and finally Homer signals that the digression has ended by again mentioning the threshold.

Correct

15.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a standard feature of xenia?

1 / 1 point

the lavishing of extravagant gifts on a guest

holding festive games in a guest's honor

holding a feast in a guest's honor

checking a guest's identity before gifts are bestowed

Correct

16.

Question 16

Malinowski argued that, in order to understand myths, one needs to understand their function in the society that tells them. Which of the following best completes this definition?

1 / 1 point

Myths are stories whose themes legitimize social and cultural norms for the culture that tells them.

To understand the function of a myth, it is crucial to begin at the origin.

Myths function to explain the anomalies in our understanding of the world.

Myths function as a way to structure our understanding of reality. Without them, we are not capable even of rudimentary ways of knowing things.

Correct

17.

Question 17

Why does Odysseus initially enter the athletic games among the Phaeacians?

1 / 1 point

He desires to prove his superior athleticism to Alcinous.

Broadsea has taunted him.

He knows that he will only get to Ithaka if he proves his strength.

His fighting spirit overcomes his better judgment.

Correct

18.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the stories sung by Demodocus?

1 / 1 point

the love affair of Ares and Aphrodite

the Trojan Horse

the birth of Athena

the argument between Odysseus and Achilles

Correct

19.

Question 19

What pieces of information does Alcinous ask for from Odysseus at the close of book 8?

1 / 1 point

name, wife’s name, children, past

name, hometown, why he came to Scheria

name, parents’ names, history of his city

name, lineage, hometown, past

Correct

20.

Question 20

Which of the following is a part of the allegorical interpretation of Heraclitus on the love of Ares and Aphrodite?

1 / 1 point

The story conveys the union of love and strife.

The story demonstrates that the gods are subject to human frailties.

The story shows the dangers of adulterous activity and public fornication.

The story shows that public humiliation is the worst punishment.

Correct