Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School
AP English
Mr. Williams
AP English Summer Reading: The Odyssey
Directions: Unless instructed to do otherwise, answer all questions in quality paragraphs of
at least five sentences. To successfully answer the questions you must know the definitions
for each epic convention listed below:
Epic Conventions
In Medias Res
Invocation of the Muse/Gods
Opening Theme
Epic catalogue
Epic similes
Digression
Descent into the Underworld
Epithets
Long formal speeches and formal elevated style
Patronymics
Supernatural intervention
Epic Hero
a. Reputation as a valorous warrior
b. Favored by the gods
c. Partially divine and capable of superhuman action
d. Superior to other humans
e. Obsessed with a principle or ideal
f. Downfall caused by inferiors but does not occur in the poem
1. What is the situation at the beginning of the poem? What prior events have led to this
point?
2. Quote an example of an invocation of the muse and explain for what the speaker is
asking. Be sure to cite the book and line numbers after each quotation.
3. One of the major themes of the poem is wandering through trials and tribulations as
indicated in Book 1. Quote two passages that address this theme and evaluate what
Homer is saying about overcoming obstacles during a journey.
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School
AP English
Mr. Williams
4. An epic catalogue is a list of things, people, or attributes; give an example of an epic
catalogue from the poem. In your answer, cite the Book, the line numbers, and the items
that are catalogued.
5. Just as an angler1 poised on a jutting rock
Flings his treacherous bait in the offshore swell,
Whips his long rod-hook sheathed in an oxhorn lureAnd whisks up little fish he flips on the beach-break,
Writhing, gasping out their lives…so now they writhed,
gasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff, and there
at her cavern’s mouth she bolted them down rawscreaming out, flinging their arms toward me,
lost in that mortal struggle… (12.271-279)
The above is a well-known example of an epic simile; quote two more epic similes from
the poem and explain the message communicated in each.
6. List the epithets for the following characters: Odysseus, Poseidon, Zeus, Athena,
Telemakhos, and Aprhodite.
7. Who does Odysseus see in the underworld? What valuable information does he get while
he is there?
8. How do Odysseus’ speeches with Calypso in Book 5 show his cleverness?
9. Quote three examples of divine intervention from any of the books between Books 5-15
and explain the gods’ motivation for intervening in the affairs of men. Be sure to cite the
book and line numbers after each quotation.
10. Epic Hero
a. Reputation as a valorous warrior
b. Favored by the gods
c. Partially divine and capable of superhuman action
d. Superior to other humans
e. Obsessed with a principle or ideal
f. Downfall caused by inferiors but does not occur in the poem
1
fisherman
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School
AP English
Mr. Williams
Discuss how Odysseus fits the above criteria for an epic hero and cite examples from the
poem for each element.
11. In the patriarchal world of the poem, what is Homer saying about the roles of women
(divine and mortal)? Your response should discuss at least three women from the poem
and include examples from the poem for each.
12. Is the destination more important than the journey? Support your answer with examples
from the poem.
13. Which character in this poem goes on a metaphorical journey? Support your answer with
examples from the poem.
AP English Summer Reading: The Crystal Cave
How is the character/personality of Merlin, as developed in The Crystal Cave, important to the
King Arthur legend? Support your answer with three significant examples from the novel. Your
response should be a typed essay of at least 500 words. An objective test covering this book will
be administered in class the first full week of school.
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School
AP English
Mr. Williams
AP English Summer Reading: Wuthering Heights
Directions: Unless instructed to do otherwise, answer all questions in quality paragraphs of
at least five sentences. To successfully answer the questions you must know the definitions
for each italicized term.
1. What is the frame story for this novel?
2. Identify all the “love” relationships in this novel. What is different about the “love” in
these relationships?
3. How does Emily Brontё illustrate the theme of repetition and recycling? Quote passages
from the novel to support your answer.
4. How does Brontё use setting to illustrate the theme of civilization vs. savagery? Quote 3
passages from the novel to support your answer.
5. Explain the effect that racism, a minor theme in this novel, has on the plot.
6. Brontё uses two narrators in this novel. Identify them and explain why you think she
does this. Use examples from the novel to support your answer.
7. Identify the romantic2 and gothic elements in this novel. Quote passages from the novel
to support your answer.
2
Be sure that you use the literary definition of romantic.