HUM 3330 Great Books I FINAL EXAM STUDENT COPY

.docx

School

Troy University, Troy *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

3330

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

8

Uploaded by sophgh99

HUM 3330 Great Books I: Greek &Roman Classics Final Exam This is an open book exam, meaning you are permitted to use your texts and your notes. Be thorough – when in doubt, write more than you think you need to write. Short Answer Questions (each question is worth 4 points). Answer all of the following short answer questions: 1. In Iliad Book 6, how does the encounter of Glaucus and Diomedes illustrate xenia, and how does it also illustrate the bad choice Troy is making? Answer- Glaucus and Diomedes meet and swap armor and stories, showing kindness even though they're enemies. This is an example of xenia, a hospitality tradition. But Glaucus makes a bad choice by trading his golden armor for Diomedes' bronze. This small decision hints at the bigger mistakes Troy is making, adding to the sad events in the story. 2. How does his escape from the Cyclops in Odyssey illustrate the primary attribute of Odysseus (and its potential weakness)? Answer- In the Odyssey, Odysseus uses his smart thinking to escape from the Cyclops. He comes up with a plan to blind the Cyclops and get away. However, he slips up by revealing his real name, and this mistake creates more challenges for him as he tries to return home. The challenges that he has to face can be thought of as a weakness because of how cunning he is. 3. What is the key issue that is resolved in the Oresteia , and how is it resolved? Answer- The key issue in Oresteia is the cycle of bloodshed and revenge within the House of Atreus. It is resolved through the establishment of a legal system in Athens, with the trial and verdict of Orestes for killing his mother, Clytemnestra. The goddess Athena casts the tie- breaking vote, introducing the concept of justice and ending the cycle of vengeance with a legal resolution. 4. In History of the Peloponnesian Wars , how did the Athenians treat the people of Melos compared to the way they treated the Mytilenaeans, and what does this reveal about the change in the Athenians over the course of the war? Answer- In the History of the Peloponnesian Wars, the Athenians treated the people of Melos harshly, offering them a choice between surrender and destruction. In contrast, they initially
treated the Mytilenaeans with mercy, but later, after a failed revolt, they brutally suppressed them. This reveals a shift in Athenian behavior over the course of the war, reflecting a growing ruthlessness and loss of empathy as the conflict prolonged. 5. What are the three arguments for the immortality of the soul presented by Socrates in Phaedo , and which do you think is most persuasive? Answer- Socrates gives three reasons for thinking the soul is immortal in Phaedo. First, life comes from death, so the soul must exist before birth. Second, knowledge is already in us, suggesting the soul existed before. Third, the soul is more like eternal things than the body. The idea that knowledge is already in us might be the most convincing because it hints at the soul's existence before birth. 6. What definition of politeia (the title of the Republic ) did Mr. Scott suggest best captured the meaning of the term? Answer- The definition that was mentioned in class was the organization of society, and the pursuit for justice virtue. It encompasses the broader concept of the ideal city-state and the just governance of its citizens as discussed in the dialogue. 7. Why did Socrates have such a negative view of poets like Homer? Answer- Socrates held a critical view of poets like Homer because he felt their works often depicted gods and heroes engaging in morally questionable actions. He believed such narratives could have a corrupting influence on individuals, particularly the younger generation, by normalizing behavior he considered unethical. Socrates advocated for storytelling that aligned with his emphasis on ethical conduct and virtue. 8. According to Socrates, how should a city be rightly constituted? Answer- According to Socrates, a city should be rightly constituted by being governed by philosopher-kings—wise and virtuous rulers who have knowledge of the Form of the Good. In his ideal city, individuals are assigned roles based on their abilities, and justice prevails through a harmonious balance of the three classes: rulers, auxiliary , and workers.
9. What are the four disordered constitutions of a city according to Socrates? Answer- According to Socrates, the four disordered constitutions of a city are: Timocracy: A government based on honor, where warriors hold power. Oligarchy: A government led by the wealthy elite. Democracy: Rule by the majority, potentially leading to mob rule. Tyranny: Rule by a single, unjust ruler who pursues his own interests. 10. What Greek word did Aristotle use to describe the goal of the human life, and what does this word mean? Answer- Aristotle used the Greek word "eudaimonia" to describe the goal of human life. It can be translated as "flourishing" or "thriving" and refers to living a fulfilled and virtuous life in accordance with one's true nature. It is an objective kind of happiness. 11. What are the components of Aristotle’s understanding of the meaning of virtue? Answer- Aristotle talks about different components when it comes to virtue. He talks about being righteous and doing just things, making things right, and being a fair person. All of these virtues into one makes a just person. Both moral and intellectual virtues together make a person virtuous in Aristotle's view. 12. Pick one virtue discussed by Aristotle and describe its mean, excess, and deficiency. Answer- Mean- Courage is the mean between recklessness and cowardice. The courageous person finds a balanced middle ground, facing challenges with bravery without being rash or overly fearful. Excess- Recklessness represents the excess of courage. Someone who is reckless may take unnecessary risks, acting without considering the consequences, which can lead to harm. Deficiency- Cowardice is the deficiency of courage. A person with this deficiency might avoid necessary risks and challenges due to excessive fear, hindering personal and societal progress. 13. What are the different kinds of justice according to Aristotle, and how are they determined?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help