Homeric Epic — AS & A Level Classical Studies (9274) questions by topic
Whether the gods add anything to the plot of the Iliad, whether Odysseus succeeds only through the help of other mortals, how far nostos actually drives Odysseus in the Odyssey, and whether the Odyssey depends purely on the obstacles Odysseus faces are the debates this topic sets, across 18 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers worth 20 to 30 marks.
How far, to what extent, assess and discuss lead the command words, and to what extent means taking a clear position and testing it against evidence from both epics where the question demands it. Because these essays reward comparing episodes across the Iliad and the Odyssey, drafting a full response and checking it against instant marking helps confirm your argument draws on both poems, not just the more familiar one.
October–November 2024, Paper 41
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how far Odysseus is motivated by nostos (homecoming) in the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Homeric hero is only successful with the help of other mortals.' How far do you agree with this statement? You must discuss both the Iliad and the Odyssey in your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →Assess the importance of parent and child relationships in both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how far Odysseus is motivated by nostos (homecoming) in the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Homeric hero is only successful with the help of other mortals.' How far do you agree with this statement? You must discuss both the Iliad and the Odyssey in your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →Assess the importance of parent and child relationships in both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how far Odysseus is motivated by nostos (homecoming) in the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Homeric hero is only successful with the help of other mortals.' How far do you agree with this statement? You must discuss both the Iliad and the Odyssey in your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →Assess the importance of parent and child relationships in both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how typical this portrayal is of Paris in the Iliad.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Homeric epics are so compelling because they show both the best and worst of humanity.' To what extent do you agree? In your answer you should discuss both the Iliad and the…
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Odyssey is only interesting because of the obstacles faced by Odysseus.' To what extent do you agree?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how typical this portrayal is of Paris in the Iliad.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Homeric epics are so compelling because they show both the best and worst of humanity.' To what extent do you agree? In your answer you should discuss both the Iliad and the…
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Odyssey is only interesting because of the obstacles faced by Odysseus.' To what extent do you agree?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
Read the passage and answer the question. Using this passage as a starting point, discuss how far Odysseus is in control of his own fate in the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →Assess the importance of loyalty in the Homeric epics. In your answer you should discuss both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The immortals are a distraction from the plot.' To what extent do you agree that gods and goddesses add nothing to the Iliad?
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Classical Studies topics
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