Humanities 103 — Delahoyde
Washington State University
THE MULLED PRAMNIAN MIDTERM EXAM
BIG DAY: FRIDAY, JULY 9th.
I. IDENTIFICATIONS. [15 questions; total 30 points.]
You know, in what work do we read that God created light? Who is “the great tactician?”: that kind of very brief question. This portion of the midterm exam will be inflicted individually and intracerebrally during the scheduled class period. I will e-mail you the questions (both as e-mail text and as a Word doc) by 10:30am and will expect answers (either format) back by 11:45am. So put on your thinking caps instead of your weasel caps.
II. QUOTATIONS. [8 questions; total 40 points.]
Also included in the e-mail will be a combination of identification and, more importantly, significance questions, following quotations from the material of the first half of the semester, extracted for their representativeness of our discussions over the key points these weeks. This is not trivial pursuit. If you read the works and paid attention in class, only a close review of notes is necessary for preparation. My web notes might serve as a useful resource too.
III. TAKE-HOME ESSAY. [Total 30 points.]
DO THIS FIRST. This portion of the exam will also be due on exam day, July 9th, 10:30am. There will be a space on Canvas in Discussions for you to upload it by that time or earlier.
Answer the following question thoroughly and precisely, in about three (3) pages, double-spaced. The essay should be a virtuoso piece of brilliance manifested in impressive eloquence, with facile reference to specifics from the mythological texts.
- Would you say that mythology is a different area of study than any other?
(For example, is it different from religion or literature or anthropology?)
Why?
Whether or not you consider it unique, what would you say is the value of exploring mythology?
(Beware proposing answers that prioritize history or anthropology: for example, “we can get a better understanding of the people” — a response that simply leads to the follow-up question, “so what?”)
No late essays will be accepted, nor is it my responsibility to decode whatever crazy other formats you spring on me. A dark mist will swirl over your eyes and you will go down to the House of Death.
For more advice on writing a sterling essay and avoiding common pitfalls, see here:
Essay Advice.
BIG DAY: FRIDAY, JULY 9th.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
IDENTIFICATIONS
Identify the character or thing referred to (underlined) in the following.
They lost the Trojan War.
_________________________________
This goddess was chosen “fairest” by a young shepherd.
_________________________________
“She had lips by a god’s command
never to be believed or heeded by the Trojans.”
_________________________________
“bitch that I am, vicious, scheming
– horror to freeze the heart! … slut that I am.”
_________________________________
* * * * *
QUOTATIONS.
1) List four (4) examples of Trojan stupidity which Virgil may have intended us to overlook, given the sanctity of Roman heritage.
2) “All this I will extend to him if he will end his anger. / Let him submit to me! Only the god of Death / is so relentless…. / Let him bow down to me!”
Identify the speaker and to whom he is referring.
Who leaves the last sentences out of the “official” record?
After the fall of Troy, how does this speaking character die?
3) “Why so desperate? Why so much grief for me?
No man will hurl me down to Death against my fate.
And fate? No one alive has ever escaped it….
it’s born with us the day that we are born.”
Who is speaking to whom?
In what way is this discussion positive and inspiring
rather than grim and doom-filled?