The Odyssey Review Questions Name:

Book 9: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son (Lines 1-223) Date:

DIRECTIONS: Answer all of the following questions in complete sentences. No credit for incomplete!

1.  For what characteristic does Odysseus claim that he is best known?
2.  How many of Odysseus’ men were killed during the raid of the Cicones?
3.  What happens to Odysseus’ men when they eat the lotus plant?
4.  How does Odysseus save his men from the Lotus Eaters? What does this demonstrate about him?
5.  According to Odysseus, what 6 things DON’T the Cyclopes have or do?
6.  What do Odysseus and his men see as they got “nearer to the mainland”?
7.  What does Odysseus bring with him, and where did he get it?
8.  What do Odysseus’ men plead with him to do? Why does Odysseus refuse?
9.  What do Odysseus and his men do while they wait for the Cyclops to return?
10.  How does the Cyclops close the cave?
11.  What lie does Odysseus tell when the Cyclops asks where their ship is?
12.  Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops immediately?
13.  To whom does Odysseus pray for help?
14.  What do Odysseus and his men do with the olive tree they find in the cave?
15.  What does Odysseus plan to do with what they make? (lines 235-240)
16.  After the Cyclops has feasted on Odysseus’ men, what does Odysseus offer him?
17.  When the Cyclops asks Odysseus his name, what does Odysseus tell him?
18.  What do Odysseus and his men do when the Cyclops falls asleep?
19.  What does Polyphemus (the Cyclops) say when his neighbors ask him why he is yelling, and what do his neighbors do?
20.  How does Polyphemus try to prevent Odysseus and his men from getting out of the cave?
21.  How does Odysseus get his men out of the Cyclops’ cave (ll. 339-346)? How does he get himself out?
22.  What does Odysseus shout at his adversary, the Cyclops, as he escapes?
23.  Why do Odysseus’ men plead with him to be quiet and why doesn’t he “heed them”?
24.  What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon for? (ll. 452-461)
25.  Why does Zeus “disdain” (refuse to accept) the offering from Odysseus and his men?