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Fourth Quarter Notes: Introduction and Background of “The Odyssey”
Pages 1088-1101
Pages 1088-1089: Examining the Homeric Epics
1. When AND where were The Iliad and The Odyssey written?
___________________
_______________________
2. Who is credited with writing the poem? _____________________
The Trojan War
1. What caused the Trojan War to begin? __________________________________
2. Who was Menelaus? ________________________________________________
3. How long did the war take place? _________________________
4. Who was the ruler of Ithaca? __________________________
The Heroic Story of Odysseus
1. What is the story The Odyssey about? ___________________________________
2. Who is Odysseus’ wife? _______________________
The Intervention of the Gods and Goddesses
1. Who was Athena? ______________________________________________
2. Who was Aphrodite? ______________________________________________
3. Who was Apollo? _______________________________________________
4. Who were the Muses? ______________________________________________
Page 1090: Homer: The Epic Poet
1. Who is credited with writing The Iliad and The Odyssey? ___________________
2. What were the first works read by Greek schoolchildren? ___________________
3. Who was Shakespeare inspired by? _____________________
Page 1091: People and Places of The Odyssey
This page gives you an outline of important characters in The Odyssey. Rewrite
descriptions for the following:
Helios __________________________________________________________________
Zeus ___________________________________________________________________
Telemachus _____________________________________________________________
Penelope ________________________________________________________________
Hermes ________________________________________________________________
Calypso ________________________________________________________________
Laertes _________________________________________________________________
Circe ___________________________________________________________________
Cyclopes ________________________________________________________________
Poseidon ________________________________________________________________
Persephone ______________________________________________________________
Tiresias _________________________________________________________________
Sirens __________________________________________________________________
Scylla __________________________________________________________________
Charybdis _______________________________________________________________
Athena _________________________________________________________________
Eumaeus ________________________________________________________________
Argos __________________________________________________________________
Antinous ________________________________________________________________
Eurycleia _______________________________________________________________
Page 1094 – The Epic.
1. Definition of Epic: __________________________________________________
2. Definition of Epic Hero: _____________________________________________
3. Characteristics of an Epic Hero:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________
4. An Epic Plot has four elements:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________
5. An Epic Setting has two elements:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
6. Definition of Archetypes: ____________________________________________
7. Six examples of archetypes:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________
f. ____________________________________________________________
8. Six examples of epic themes:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________
f. ____________________________________________________________
Page 1095: Model of an Epic: Read the given passage, and answer the questions below:
1. How does Menelaus describe Odysseus? ________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. What was Helen doing while the men hid inside the Trojan Horse? ____________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Looking at the previous page, what archetype is Helen? _____________________
4. According to Menelaus’ at the end of his story, what Greek Goddess intervened in
Helen’s actions? ____________________________________________
Page 1096: The Language of Homer
1. Definition of a simile: ______________________________________________
2. Definition of an epic simile: _________________________________________
3. Definition of an epithet: _____________________________________________
4. Definition of allusion: _______________________________________________
Page 1097: Read the given passages, and answer the questions below:
Model 1: Epic Simile
1. An epic simile begins the passage. What two things are being compared?
___________________________ and _________________________________
Extra Credit: Who is Odysseus crying for? __________________________________
Model 2: Epithet
1. What epithet for Zeus is given? __________________________________
Extra Credit: TWO epithets are given for Zeus. What’s the other one? ____________
2. What epithet does Zeus use to describe Odysseys? _____________________
3. What is Zeus’ opinion of Odysseus? ____________________________________
4. Who is Athena’s father? ________________________________
Page 1098: Part 3: Reading the Epic
1. Reading the Epic is to read poetry. What poetic elements does the epic contain:
a. ____________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________
f. ____________________________________________________________
Read Page 1099’s selection, and answer the questions that follow:
1. Odysseus has been away from home, lost at sea, for many years. Who believes he
is dead? _________________ Who believes he is still alive? _________________
2. According to Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, the suitors have moved into their home.
What are they doing?________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Extra Credit: Read the red-boxed section. What two sound devices/poetic elements
are being used? ______________________ and __________________________
3. According to the suitors, what did Penelope do to insult them?
__________________________________________________________________
Page 1100-1101: Part 4: Analyze Literature
1. When Odysseus finally returns home, he disguises himself as a _______________
2. Who is Eumaeus? _____________________________
3. Read the red-boxed section and think about the imagery. How is the night being
described? ________________________ What tone is this? _________________
4. After hearing his story, how does Eumaeus treat Odysseus? _________________