Download Homer`s The Odyssey Study Guide Questions

English I
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Homer’s The Odyssey Study Guide Questions
PART 1: The Adventures of Odysseus
Invocation of the Muse (p. 952)
1. What is the purpose of the Muse?
2. Who is speaking in this opening scene? Why?
3. Define plunder (see “Vocabulary Builder”). What city did Odysseus and his men plunder?
4. What qualities of Odysseus mark him as a hero?
5. What are Odysseus’ experiences described?
Sailing from Troy (p. 953-954)
6. Where does this story begin?
7. How does Odysseus feel about his home, Ithaca?
8. Why did Calypso detain Odysseus on her island?
9. While on Ismarus, in what ways does Odysseus’ men disobey orders? What is the result of this
disobedience?
10. What lesson might Odysseus take away from this experience?
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11. For what quality does Odysseus say he is famous?
The Lotus Eaters (p. 954-955)
12. How many days did Odysseus and his men drift before landing on the coastline of the Lotus Eaters?
13. Were the Lotus Eaters a violent civilization?
14. What happens to those who eat the Lotus plant?
15. What characteristics of an epic hero does Odysseus show in this episode?
16. What is your impression of Odysseus so far? Which of his qualities do you admire so far?
17. Note two points at which Odysseus mentions his desire to go home. What role might this desire play
in Odysseus’ epic journey?
The Cyclops (p. 956-968)
18. Before the meeting with Cyclops, what had Odysseus received from Maron at Ismarus?
19. How does Odysseus describe Cyclopes and their society?
20. Based on Odysseus’ criticism of the Cyclops, what kind of society do you think the Greeks valued?
21. What do Odysseus and his men see inside the cave of the Cyclops?
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22. Odysseus’s men want to pillage the goods from the cave and leave. What is Odysseus’ plan?
23. What character flaw does Odysseus reveal by refusing to leave the cave?
24. What does Odysseus tell Cyclops happened to his ship?
25. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he has the chance?
26. What is Odysseus’ plan to escape from the Cyclops’ cave?
27. Why do you think Odysseus offers the Cyclops wine?
28. When Cyclops asks Odysseus his name, what is his response?
29. How do Odysseus and his crew escape from the Cyclops?
30. What do Odysseus and his men bring aboard their ship?
31. What human weakness does Odysseus reveal as he sails away?
32. What does the Cyclops ask for in his prayer to Poseidon?
33. What admirable quality does Odysseus show by dividing the sheep among his men?
The Land of the Dead (p. 969-974)
34. In lines 532-533, what details here suggest that the source of wind was mysterious to ancient Greeks?
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35. What does Circe say that Odysseus must do in order to reach home?
36. What sacrifices does Odysseus make? Whom is Odysseus trying to summon by making sacrifices?
37. What ancient Greek values and beliefs are suggested by Elpenor’s requests?
38. In lines 637-638, what ancient Greek value is reflected in the “narrow strait” that Tiresias describes?
39. Which of Odysseus’ men will return home to Ithaca with him? According to Tiresias, what will
Odysseus find when he returns home?
40. Why do you think Odysseus would continue, despite the Tiresias’ grim predictions?
41. Judging from Tiresias’ predictions, which heroic qualities will Odysseus need to rely upon as he
continues his journey?
The Sirens (p. 975-978)
42. What does Odysseus reveal about his character by sharing information with his men?
43. What instructions does Odysseus give his shipmates as they prepare to deal with the Sirens?
44. What does Odysseus’ mention of Helios reveal about ancient Greek beliefs regarding huge events?
45. How does Odysseus keep his shipmates from hearing the Sirens sing?
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46. Which details in the Sirens’ song are designed to flatter Odysseus?
Scylla and Charybdis (p. 978- 980)
47. What parts of Odysseus’ speech demonstrate his strength as a leader?
48. What demand does Odysseus make of his men as they approach the rough waters?
49. Who is the “monster of the gray rock” that Odysseus refers to in line 791?
50. What literary device is used in line 799 to describe Charbydis?
51. How many men did Scylla take from the ship?
52. In lines 823-825, what quality of heroic leadership does Odysseus demonstrate?
The Cattle of the Sun God (p. 980-987)
53. Who owns the cattle on the island?
54. Why do you think Odysseus was able to resist the temptation of eating the cattle?
55. What did Odysseus’ men do while he was sleeping?
56. Why was Eurylochus able to convince the men to eat the cattle?
57. How are the values of Odysseus different from those of Eurylochus?
58. How is Odysseus’ ship destroyed?
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59. Which of Odysseus’ heroic qualities does he demonstrate in lines 955-962?
60. Are there any survivors from the shipwreck?
PART 2: The Return of Odysseus
“Twenty years gone and I am back again” (p. 994-999)
61. What does Athena reveal to Odysseus about the situation he will find at home?
62. Who does Telemachus think Odysseus is when they first reunite?
63. To what are Odysseus’ and Telemachus’ cries compared?
64. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare. Why might she be particularly interested in
helping Odysseus?
65. How does Odysseus tell Telemachus to respond if the suitors are mean to Odysseus and make fun of
him?
Argus (p. 1000-1001)
66. Who is Argus?
67. How does Argus react when he hears Odysseus’ voice?
The Suitors (p. 1001-1003)
68. How does Antinous react to Odysseus when he is disguised as a beggar?
69. In lines 1219-1246, what conflicting values does the exchange between Odysseus and Antinous
reveal?
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70. In lines 1238-1243, what values regarding physical force are evident in the exchange between
Odysseus and Antinous?
71. In lines 1254-1259, what ancient Greek belief is conveyed in this suitor’s speech?
72. How does Penelope regard Antinous?
Penelope (p. 1003-1005)
73. Remember that an epic simile is an elaborate comparison that may extend for several lines to paint a
vivid image in the reader’s mind. What is Odysseus comparing Penelope to in the epic simile in lines
1290-1297?
74. What does Odysseus tell Penelope about himself? Why do you think Odysseus chooses not to reveal
his identity to his wife?
75. In lines 1329-1330, who are “country wives” and why does Penelope say they would disrespect her if
she did not weave a shroud?
76. How was Penelope able to delay marriage for three years?
77. What literary device is used in line 1328?
The Challenge (p. 1007-1008)
78. Why do you think Odysseus gives such special attention to the bow?
79. Which of Odysseus’ qualities is highlighted in the epic simile in lines 1372-1379?
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80. What is the challenge that Penelope decides she will use to choose a husband from the suitors?
81. After Odysseus wins the challenge, why does he call for a feast in lines 1398-1400?
Odysseus’ Revenge (p. 1009-1013)
82. Does the manner in which Odysseus kills Antinous agree with your idea of a “fair fight”? Explain.
83. Whom does Odysseus kill first?
84. In lines 1441-1444, what reasons does Odysseus give the suitors as an explanation for his anger?
85. What does Eurymachus offer Odysseus to try to calm his anger?
86. In line 1485, why is the comparison of Eurymachus’ sharp sword to a razor only a simile and not an
epic simile?
87. What cultural value is reflected in Telemachus’ behavior toward his father?
88. Who helps Odysseus defeat the suitors?
89. Which aspects of the slain suitors’ appearance does the epic simile in lines 1535–1539 emphasize?
90. Do you think Odysseus’ revenge is justified? Why or why not?
Penelope’s Test (p. 1015-1017)
91. Which details in the epic simile in lines 1546–1551 compare Odysseus’ hair to a work of art?
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92. How does Odysseus describe Penelope’s attitude toward him? Why does she act this way?
93. Write line 1560. What literary device is used here?
94. What is Penelope’s test? How does the test prove that Penelope is an appropriate companion for
Odysseus?
95. In what way does the epic simile in lines 1615-1621 recall the dangers Odysseus faced on his journey
home?
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