| epic | a long narrative poem about important events in the history or folklore of a nation or culture |
| epic hero | larger-than-life central character in a epic |
| flashback | a scene that interrupts the sequence of events in a narrative to relate earlier events |
| What quality does Odysseus display? | arrogance, self-centered |
| What was the attitude of Odysseus’ men? | rebellious |
| What was the outcome of the battle between the Cicones and Odysseus’ men? | Odysseus loses a lot of men |
| What does the episode reveal about the character of Odysseus’ crew? | foolish, disobedient |
| Who was responsible for the terrible storm? | Zeus |
| In this metaphor, dawn is compared to what? | women’s curls |
| What happened when the men ate the lotus plants? | They want to stay where they are and want to continue eating lotus plants. Also, they forget about their home. |
| What did Odysseus do about his men eating lotus plants? | tied them to the rowing benches |
| What is the organization on the Cyclopes’ community? | no organization, every man for himself |
| What does criticism of this lifestyle reveal about the kind of society valued by the Greeks? | laws, rules, structure- organized society |
| Who and what did Odysseus take with him? | 12 best fighters, liquor, and food |
| From the items in the cave, what can be concluded about the Cyclop’s major activity? | he raises lambs, milks them, and makes cheese |
| Why doesn’t Odysseus heed his men’s warning and leave? | curiousity |
| What is the signifcance of the Cyclop’s rolling a rock to close the cave? | Odysseus’ men are trapped |
| What does Odysseus’ statement (during the Cyclops part) reveal about ancient Greek culture? | very kind, had hospitality- if not treated well a god would punish you |
| Why does the Cyclops want to know where the ship is? | destroy it and kill any sailors on board |
| What did the Cyclops do to 2 of Odysseus’ men? | beats the brains, dismembers them, and eats them |
| Why did Odysseus change his mind about killing the Cyclops with his sword? | they won’t be able to get out the cave |
| What was Odysseus’ plan to do about the Cyclops? | stab the Cyclops in the eye with a spike |
| How did Odysseus plan to get the Cyclops to fall asleep? | give him the liquor |
| Why is Odysseus’ choice of the name “Nobody” clever? | the Cyclops can’t identify Odysseus |
| What image does Homer use to allow readers to picture what happens to the Cyclops? | cold water hitting hot metal |
| What plan did Odysseus devise to escape the cave of the Cyclops? | ties 3 sheep together and one man under the middle sheep |
| Why does Odysseus call out to the Cyclops? What is the result? | to brag; the Cyclops throws the hilltop and the wave pushes the ship back to shore |
| What does the crew beg of Odysseus? | leave the Cyclops alone |
| What foolish mistake does Odysseus make? | he said his real name |
| Who is Laertes? | Odysseus’ father |
| To whom does Polyphemus call upon and what does he request? | Poseidon- his father – mindless wander- not return home – lose companions |
| How did Odysseus feel at the pit where the dead gathered? | afraid |
| Who is Elpenor? | one of Odysseus’ crew members- fell off a roof and broke his neck- he was never buried |
| How does Odysseus show his human side to Elpenor? | he starts crying |
| What is Elpenor’s request to Odysseus? | get a proper burial |
| What does Elpenor’s request show about Greek vaules and beliefs? | a soul couldn’t find peace until a body had proper burial |
| Who is the second spirit that approached Odysseus? How did Odysseus react upon seeing them? | Antidea- his mother; he grieves |
| What does the blind prophet Tiresias predict for Odysseus? | Poseidon is going to punish him and he will have a lot of difficulties- don’t let your men eat the sun god’s cattle- he will return home alone and will kill them |
| What does Tiresias predict for the end of Odysseus’ life? | he is going to die old at sea |
| What is Circe’s advice to Odysseus about the Sirens? | avoid the Sirens and their song |
| When Odysseus ignores this advice, what quality does he display? | curiousity |
| What plan does Odysseus devise to help his men avoid the Sirens’ song? | puts bees wax on their ears |
| What quality of an epic hero does Odysseus display in those lines about the Scylla and Charybdis? | bravery and leadership |
| What was Scylla? | a sea monster |
| What was Charybdis? | a whirl pool |
| How does Odysseus show his human side? | deathly pity |
| What warning does Odysseus give his men about the sun god? | don’t eat the Sun God’s cattle or we will pay dearly |
| When Odysseus prayed to the gods, what did they do to him? | made him fall asleep |
| What does Helios threaten of Zeus does not punish Odysseus? | he is going to light the underworld on fire |
| What happened to Odysseus’ men? | they die at sea |
| How did Odysseus survive? | -he waits in a fig tree – he rides on a little piece of ship and uses his hands |
| epic simile | an elaborate comparison that may extend for several lines. Unlike a normal simile, which draws a comparison to a single, distinct image, an epic simile is longer and more involved. |
| Who is Emmaeus? | guy who takes care of Odysseus’ pigs |
| Who appears to Odysseus and helps him? | Athena |
| What does Odysseus’ speech to Telemachus suggest about the expectatioins of a prince? | a prince must not be emotional |
| what warning does Odysseus give to Telemachus? | he is going to disguise as a beggar and tells Telemachus that if the guys make fun of the begar, don’t react because it will blow Odysseus’ cover |
| What does Odysseus order Telemachus to do when Odysseus gives the signal? | take all the weapons in the hall and put them in a store room |
| Why doesn’t Odysseus want anyone to know he has returned? | he wants to know if the people are good or bad |
| How does the episode of Argus end? | Argus dies |
| Why is the Argus episode important? | emphasises how long Odysseus was gone |
| What does the suitor statement say about Greek ideas? | that the gods had the ability to disguise themselves to check on people’s behavior |
| What is ironic about Penelope’s request? | she wants to speak to the beggar about Odyssues, the beggar is Odysseus |
| How did Penelope deceive the suitors? | she was weaving a shroud and she said when she finishes it she will marr someone, but every night she unweaved it |
| What does the beggar predict? | that Odysseus will come soon |
| This epic simile of The Challenge compares what to what? | Odysseus to musician |
| Which trait allows Odysseus to triumph in the challenge? | good marksmen |
| The epic simile of Odysseus’ Revenge compares what to what? | suitors- fish, Odysseus- fisherman |
| Why does Penelope test Odysseus? | to make sure it’s really Odysseus- the test was describing his bed |
| What word describes the tone at the end of the Odyssey? | positive tone, peace, happiness, success, glory |
The Odyssey
April 20, 2020