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The Odyssey Part I study guide

Answer the following questions about the selections. You will be responsible for knowing this information.

A Goddess Intervenes

  1. Which god/goddess is Homer addressing? For what purpose?

Calypso

  1. Briefly describe the setting of this section.
  1. What is Odysseus doing as we first meet him? Why?
  1. What does Calypso offer Odysseus if he will stay with her?
  1. Who tells Calypso that she must give up Odysseus? Why does he bring this message?

New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son

“I Am Laertes’ Son”

  1. Where is Odysseus at the beginning of this selection? Who is the king of this land?
  1. What did Odysseus and his men do at Ismarus, the land of the Cicones?
  1. Describe the Cicones army.
  1. How many of Odysseus’ men did the Ciconian army kill?
  1. Where do the rest of the men go?

The Lotus Eaters

  1. Why did Odysseus’ ship stop at this island?
  1. How many men did he send ashore?
  1. What happens to people when they eat the lotus plant?
  1. How does Odysseus get his men to return to the boat?
  1. What could the lotus plant be compared to in today’s society?
  1. List three adjectives to describe Odysseus’ leadership skills so far. Explain why you chose these adjectives.

Cyclops

  1. What was the name of the Cyclops?
  1. Who is the father of the Cyclops?
  1. What details (imagery) helps you to visualize the scene as the Cyclops first eats two of Odysseus’ men?
  1. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops after the monster went to sleep?
  1. How many men at a time did the Cyclops eat? How many men did he eventually eat?
  1. What is the “name” that Odysseus gives as his own to the Cyclops? How does this “name” prove to be ironic later in the story?
  1. What “gift” does the Cyclops say he will give to Odysseus for telling his name?
  1. What images does Homer use when Odysseus blinds the Cyclops?
  1. How would you characterize Odysseus when dealing with the Cyclops in the cave? After his escape?
  1. How do the men escape from the cave?
  1. Lines 292-297, 299-303 contain an epic (Homeric) simile. What is the blinding of the Cyclops being compared to?
  1. Read lines 380-385. Why do the men’s faces turn from shining to grief? Why does Odysseus hush his men?

Circe

  1. Who was Aeolus? How does he try to help Odysseus?
  1. What does the sailors’ opening of the bull-hide bag suggest about their relationship with Odysseus?
  1. What does Circe do to the crew sent to explore the island? Which man avoids this?
  1. How is Odysseus able to resist Circe’s magic?

The Land of the Dead

  1. Who does Odysseus want to speak to in the underworld?
  1. Which god is Teiresias referring to in lines 17-20?
  1. What two prophesies does Odysseus receive?

The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis

  1. Why shouldn’t the men be allowed to hear the song of the Sirens?
  1. How did Odysseus prevent the crew from hearing the Sirens?
  1. How does Odysseus survive hearing the song of the Sirens?
  1. Describe Scylla.
  1. What is Charybdis? What are some of the images of Charybdis?
  1. Line 149 contains an idiom. Explain what the idiom means.
  1. What have Teiresias and Circe told Odysseus about Helios’ cattle?
  1. On which island does the sun god keep his cattle?
  1. Why do the men decide to eat the cattle?

10. How are the men punished? Where does Odysseus return?