Download Study Guide (Homework Questions) from The Odyssey, Part I Pages

Study Guide (Homework Questions) from The Odyssey, Part I
Pages 1045-1049 (20 pts. each)
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What is the purpose of the Muse in the opening verses?
Where is Odysseus when he tells his tale of his adventure from Troy?
What is the name of Odysseus’ hometown?
Cicones is the first place Odysseus visits after leaving Troy. What mistake did Odysseus’ men make
after attacking the area?
5. The land of the Lotus-Eaters (Malea) is the second place Odysseus visits after leaving Troy. Which
characteristics of an epic hero does Odysseus display in this section?
Pages 1050-1056 (20 pts. each)
1. The land of the Cyclopes is the third place Odysseus and his men visit after leaving Troy.
a. Quote the Homeric simile Odysseus uses when describing the prodigious Cyclops on page 1050.
b. Paraphrase the Homeric simile.
2. a. Describe a character flaw Odysseus reveals by refusing to leave the Cyclops’ cave.
b. How might this flaw cause trouble?
3. Ancient Greek society felt hospitality and politeness were extremely important; in fact, the Greeks
thought these were rules enforced by the gods. What does Odysseus say to the Cyclops that shows
expectation of hospitality and respect for strangers?
4. What factors complicate the Greeks’ attempt at escaping the Cyclops’ cave?
5. The Cyclops asks for Odysseus’ name.
a. What name does Odysseus tell the Cyclops?
b. Why did Odysseus lie?
Pages 1056-1063 (20 pts. each)
1. a. Quote the Homeric simile that describes the ramming of the stake into the Cyclops’ eye.
b. Translate the Homeric simile into your own words.
2. When Polyphemus says, “Nohbdy’s tricked me,” what do the other Cyclopes think?
3. How do Odysseus and his men escape from Polyphemus’ cave?
4. a. What is a character flaw Odysseus reveals as he sails away from Isamarus?
b. How does this flaw cause trouble?
5. a. What does the Cyclops ask for in his prayer to Poseidon (approx. lines 482 – 494)?
b. What motif is portrayed?
Pages 1064-1069 (20 pts. each)
1. Aeolia is the fourth place Odysseus and his men visit after leaving Troy.
a. What gift does King Aeolus provide Odysseus?
b. What does this gift do when Odysseus’ men open it?
2. a. What kind of people live at the fifth place—the land of the Laestrygonians?
b. How many ships do the Laestrygonians destroy?
3. The sixth place Odysseus visits is the island of Circe.
a. Who/what is Circe?
b. What does Circe do to half of Odysseus’ men?
4. Odysseus must visit the seventh place—the Underworld (Land of the Dead)—to consult with the blind
prophet Tiresias. Name three difficulties Tiresias predicts for Odysseus’ journey to come.
Pages 1071-1076 (33 pts. each)
1. Odysseus returns to Circe’s island where she tells him how to avoid the dangers he will face.
a. What instructions does Odysseus give his shipmates as they prepare to deal with the Sirens?
b. What character flaw does Odysseus portray in this situation?
2. Read the Sirens’ song (approx. lines 719-744). How are the Sirens dangerous?
3. The ninth place Odysseus visits is the home of Scylla and Charybdis. Greek tradition sites them on
opposite sides of the Straight of Messina (which is around southern Italy); they are strategically placed
so that ships cannot avoid both of them. What does Charybdis create that allows Scylla to eat six of
Odysseus’ best men?
Pages 1076-1082 (20 pts. each)
1. Odysseus and his men arrive at the ninth place after leaving Troy: the home of Helios the Sun God.
What rule must the men follow in order to keep the Sun God appeased?
2. How does Eurylochus’ idea of death differ from that of Odysseus?
3. What do Odysseus’ men do while he is sleeping?
4. Explain a heroic quality that Odysseus demonstrates on page 1081.
5. How is Odysseus’ ship destroyed?