Instruction
Answer the following questions to the best of your ability. You may certainly refer to the book as you respond but try to use your own words when responding. If you must use exact phrasing for a response, make sure that you put that in quotes. Full credit will be given to complete and detailed responses. Most questions can be answered in two to three sentences. Some questions may need a longer response.
Use complete sentences when responding. (If you read the material, this exercise should take you between one to two hours.)
From the Introduction
Who was Tlacaelel and what Aztec practice is he responsible for making more common? What other changes and/or success of the Aztec “empire” are associated with Tlacaelel?
What was the relationship between the Aztecs and the Tlaxcaltecas?
Chapter 1
Describe 3 of the 8 omens described by Sahagun’s informants. Pick the ones that seem most interesting or ominous to you.
Chapter 2
Two early reports of seeing the Spaniards approaching on their ships are mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter. How are the Spaniards and their ships described? And who did Motecuhzoma think that they were?
When the magicians that Motecuhzoma has imprisoned escape, what does Motecuhzoma order as punishment?
Chapter 3, 4, and 5
In eight to ten to twelve sentences, summarize the events being described in Chapters 3, 4, and 5.
Chapter 9
Describe the way in which the statue of Huitzilopochtli was made and dressed.
What was Motecuhzoma’s message to his people after the massacre of Aztecs during the Fiesta of Toxcatl?
Chapter 10
Give some details about what happens in the Night of Sorrows.
What happened to Motecuhzoma when he tried to admonish his people? What are the two versions of Motecuhzoma’s end?
Chapter 15
Discuss your favorite poem (elegy) in this chapter. What story is that poem telling? What tone does it use? Or what feeling is it trying to evoke and how?
General Questions
In what ways were the Aztecs a great civilization? In what ways does this book illustrate the grandeur of the Aztecs?
What did you already know about the Aztecs and how has this book changed or added to that perspective?