Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Aiaia begins as a place of exile for Circe that she sees as an emblem of her father’s pride.

• How does the way she views the island change from her early exile to when she leaves Penelope in charge of it? (topic sentence)
• What events in the novel show how Circe views the island differently at different points? Discuss at least three events from the novel and use details to support your ideas.
• Finally, discuss in your concluding sentence or sentences how Aiaia connects to the theme of Misogyny and Female Suffering.

2. Circe consistently sees the awful ways in which her fellow immortals treat humans throughout the novel, and seeing Prometheus’s torture for having helped mortals deeply affects her.

• How is Circe influenced by Prometheus’s willingness to help humans? (topic sentence)
• Choose three instances in which Circe either mentions Prometheus’s suffering or notices how other immortals treat humans.