Black Ships Before Troy

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. People who read the Iliad, (the epic poem upon which Black Ships Before Troy is based)) often argue about who is the real hero of the story. According to the heroic code of Ancient Greece, who do you think is the hero of Black Ships Before Troy? What evidence supports your idea?

• Who is the real hero of Black Ships Before Troy? (topic sentence)
• What is the heroic code of Ancient Greece and why should it be used to judge the heroes in Black Ships Before Troy?
• Give at least three examples from the story of how your chosen hero meets the standards of the heroic code.
• Finally, discuss in your concluding sentence or sentences how this hero contributes to one of the story’s themes of hubris or honor.

2. What is a “no-win” situation? Choose a character in Black Ships Before Troy who faces such a situation. Explain why the character is faced with an impossible choice and tell how the choice they make demonstrates an important Ancient Greek value.

• What is the no-win situation with which the character is faced? (topic sentence)
• What are the character’s available choices, and why will each choice create difficulties for the character?
• What does the character ultimately choose?
• Finally, describe in your concluding sentence or sentences how this choice reflects one of the values of Ancient Greek culture.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Write an essay that compares and contrasts two marriages within Black Ships Before Troy. Your thesis should make a clear claim about what the differences and similarities between these marriages illustrate about the themes of the novel. Use both quoted and paraphrased evidence from the story to support your claim. Be sure to cite both kinds of evidence in MLA format.

2. How does the novel’s opening story, about the Apple of Discord, introduce ideas about the relationship of gods to mortals that are echoed later in the text? Write an essay that makes a claim about how the relationship of gods and mortals is portrayed in this opening story and then shows how events, characterizations, and language from later in the text are used to reinforce this initial portrayal. Use both quoted and paraphrased evidence from the story to support your claim. Be sure to cite both kinds of evidence in MLA format.