Odyssey Study Questions

Please use the following questions to help prepare for the exam.

Book 1

  1. What does the invocation (the first 12 lines) say the poem as a whole will emphasize?
  2. What first impression does this book give us of the gods? How much of a role do they play in human affairs? What seems to motivate their actions?
  3. Why is Poseidon angry? Why is Athena so concerned with Odysseus? Why is Zeus so surprised with her plea?
  4. What do you see as the attitude of the Greeks towards hospitality?
  5. How would you characterize Telemakhos at this point? What are his strengths? What are his weaknesses?
  6. What tragic homecoming story do we hear of? How does it relate to the situation in Ithaca?
  7. How does Telemakhos show strength with Penelope? How does this relate to the visit of Athena?
  8. What is our first introduction to various characters? Are the suitors a homogeneous group, or are there differences among them?
  9. Why begin the story in Ithaca, and not with Odysseus?

Book 2

  1. How, according to Antinoos, do the suitors view Penelope's reluctance? Why do they think they are justified in behaving as they do?
  2. How well does Telemakhos handle Antinoos and his self-justification?
  3. Who is in charge in Ithaca? Where is Odysseus’ father?
  4. How has Penelope kept the suitors at bay for so long?
  5. Why do the suitors think it is their right to "demand" that she choose one of them?
  6. What are the two different interpretations of the omen?
  7. How does Telemakhos respond to the position put forward by Antinoos?

Book 3

  1. How does Athena help Telemakhos prepare to meet King Nestor?
  2. What is the purpose of this book? Why is it important that Telemakhos go and visit Nestor, aside, of course, from the fact that he's looking for news of his father Odysseus?
  3. Why go there first? What is happening at Pylos as Telemakhos arrives? What exactly does Nestor tell Telemakhos about the War and the return home? Why does he dwell upon the fate of Agamemnon, killed by Aegisthus, the lover of Clytemnestra?
  4. When does the guest, Telemakhos, reveal his name? What sign does Nestor see as indicating Athena's presence?
  5. What does Telemakhoslearn about himself? About the meaning of being a son? About the treatment of guests? About sacrifices to the gods?

Book 4

  1. What more do we learn about Odysseus and about Agamemnon? Do you see any pattern in the accounts of the heroes as they return from Troy?
  2. Is Helen as you expect her to be? Is there anything strange about her marriage? Why does Menelaos still value and accept Helen, even though her elopement with Paris led to the Trojan War?
  3. How do Menelaus and Helen compare with Nestor as hosts? How doesTelemakhos contrast with the suitors as guests?
  4. How might Menelaos’ story about the Old Man of the Sea, Proteus, be instructive to Telemakhos in his quest to find his father? Why, for that matter, would Menelaos’ response to the knowledge Proteus gives him be instructive for Odysseus?
  5. What does Menelaos tell Telemakhos about Odysseus' whereabouts?
  6. In general, do you see any signs that Telemakhos is maturing?
  7. What are the suitors back in Ithaca doing as Telemakhos is on his voyage? How many days are we into the story at this point?

Book 5

  1. Why has Homer kept Odysseus from us for 4 books?
  2. What is Odysseus' first utterance in the epic and what does it say about his attitude to other humans and to the gods? Why is he like this? Why does he reject Kalypso's offer of immortality?
  3. What sort of character is Kalypso? How long does Odysseus stay on her island? What is the source of Kalypso's power over Odysseus? To what extent does she help Odysseus or hinder him once the decision to let him go is forced upon her by Hermes?
  4. Kalypso asks Odysseus to compare her with Penelope; does Odysseus respond satisfactorily?
  5. Why does Poseidon wreck Odysseus’ boat? Who is Ino? What does she give to Odysseus?
  6. How does Odysseus respond to being shipwrecked when he leaves Kalypso? Follow the emotions of his spirit as he struggles to save himself - that is, track how the poet represents Odysseus' emotions and thoughts during and after the shipwreck.
  7. Why does Zeus, despite his liking of Odysseus, allow Poseidon to make this journey such an ordeal?
  8. Why does Odysseus return Ino's veil to the sea?

Book 6

  1. Why does Nausicaa go to the river to wash clothes?
  2. What is the explanation she offers her father?
  3. How is the behavior of Nausicaa appropriate to the situation? What makes her an admirable character? What does she tell Odysseus to do and why doesn’t she take him to her parents herself?
  4. How does Odysseus treat Nausicaa? What do we learn about Odysseus’ character in this encounter? What information does he withhold?

Book 7

  1. What sort of kingdom is Phaeacia? How well is it governed, judging from the way the King relates to his family and subjects, and the way he receives Odysseus, who was washed up on his shores?
  2. How might the impression Odysseus receives of Phaeacia be significant for Odysseus' subsequent return to Ithaca?
  3. What does Odysseus say when Arete questions him sharply and asks him to reveal his identity? Who wears the pants in this family? Compare the reception with those we have seen so far. Note exactly what Odysseus says about himself. Is he a good guest?
  4. What is the difference between the way Odysseus greets Nausicaa and the way he greets Arête? What does this tell us about Odysseus’ perception of the two women?
  5. Why does Odysseus sit in the ashes?

Book 8

  1. Why might Demodocus' blindness be significant?
  2. What effect does the song sung by the harper Demodocus have upon Odysseus? Demodocus sings again later in the book - again, with what effect on Odysseus? Is the latter's response different from what we would expect of modern-day "heroes"?
  3. What does Alkinoos do when he sees how Odysseus reacts?
  4. How does Odysseus respond to the challenge of Broadsea? What Odyssean qualities shine through in this episode of athletic competition?
  5. What does Alkinoos ask Odysseus at the end of Bk. 8?

Book 9

  1. When does Odysseus reveal his identity? How has he been careful in keeping that information to himself from Books 5-8?
  2. List Odysseus' tales in the order that he tells them. What patterns of meaning do you find emerging from this order?
  3. How does Polyphemos prevent Odysseus and his men from leaving his cave? What does Polyphemos' diet consist of? Are the Kyklopes in any way civilized? What mistake does Odysseus make as he sails away?
  4. Patterns aside, what do the individual stories Odysseus recounts tell us about him and his men? For example, what makes Odysseus a worthy leader? Does he make mistakes while leading his men? How is he better than his men? Are there dangers in his strengths?
  5. This is actually a question for books 9-12 as a unit: why is it important that Odysseus recount all his wanderings as past events? Why doesn't Homer simply construct his epic as a linear (i.e. "straight-line") progression of events from the Trojan War onward?

Book 10

  1. Who is Aiolos and what does he give Odysseus? What happens with the gift? Who is to blame?
  2. What happens with the Laestrygonians?
  3. What sort of character is Kirke? Why (aside from her magic) is she able to turn Odysseus' men into swine? What have they done to offend her, or what weakness do they show?
  4. What does Hermes give to Odysseus?
  5. What makes Odysseus succumb for a time to Kirke's enticements? What is his mistake here?
  6. Why does Odysseus need to visit Hades (the Greek Underworld) and consult with Tiresias the blind prophet of Thebes?

Book 11

  1. What does Odysseus learn from Tiresias in Hades? What other important characters does Odysseus speak with, and what does he learn from them?
  2. In general, how would you characterize Odysseus' attitude towards his journey to the Underworld? That is, what does the episode tell us about him?
  3. What favor does Elpenor ask of Odysseus?
  4. What ritual does Odysseus perform in order to meet those in the Underworld?
  5. What does Tiresias do in order to speak to Odysseus?
  6. What does Odysseus learn from Anticleia? What does he try to do when after she speaks to him? Why does he fail?
  7. What does Agamemnon tell Odysseus about how men should feel about women? Is it significant that earlier in the book we hear about celebrated women?
  8. What is Hades like?
  9. What do you make of Tantalus and Sisyphus?

Book 12

1.Why has Odysseus returned to Aeaea?

2.How does Kirke help him?

3.What does the episode of the Sirens tell us about Odysseus' character? Homer's understanding of the power of music?

4.What advice does Odysseus take that Kirke gives him about Scylla and Charybdis? What does this tell us about leadership?

5.Why are the cattle of Helios' island so tempting?

6.What warning does Odysseus give his men?

7.This is not the first time Odysseus' warnings are ignored. Whose fault is this? Does this absolve him of responsibility?

8.Why is Odysseus alone when he arrives on Kalypso’s island?

Book 13

  1. How do Poseidon and Zeus interact in this book? What is the balance of power between them? How does Zeus assert his authority?
  2. How does Odysseus handle his return to Ithaca? How much does he tell those he meets about his true identity and intentions? How much help does Athena give him? How does Athena react to his caution?
  3. How is this book pivotal regarding the action of the Odyssey as a whole? What necessary qualities does Odysseus show in this first step of his return to power?
  4. How do the actions Odysseus takes compare with those he takes in the stories he has told? Does the fact that he has no crew affect the way he acts?
  5. Where is Athena going at the end of the book? How does she help him at this point?

Book 14

  1. How is the swineherd (Eumaios) connected to Odysseus?
  2. What is the prediction about Odysseus that the stranger swears "on my oath" to Eumaios?
  3. How does Eumaios react to this information?
  4. Odysseus tells the swineherd he is from what kind of background? Suffered what kind of hardships?
  5. How does Eumaios react to Odysseus' story?
  6. Who gets the "boar's long loin . . . the cut of honor" in Eumaios shelter?
  7. Why does Odysseus say, "I'm not long for the living. The cold will do me in./ See, I've got no cloak."

Book 15

  1. What is Telemakhos’ main diplomatic challenge in this book? How does Athena help him meet the challenge?
  2. What role does Helen play in this book? What does the prophecy she makes reveal about her? Why might it be significant, in terms of the Odyssey as a whole, that Helen, whose misbehavior towards her husband set in motion the Trojan War, gives Telemakhos a robe to bestow upon his future bride?
  3. How does Telemakhos departure from Sparta parallel Odysseus' departure from Phaecia?
  4. What is the portent which precedes Telemakhos departure? Who is unsure of how to interpret it? Who knows how to interpret it? How does the portent resemble the earlier portent in Book 2 that is interpreted by Halitherses?
  5. Why does Telemakhosnot want to revisit Nestor? How does Pisistratus react to this?
  6. How does Odysseus test Eumaios?
  7. What aspect of Eumaios story causes Odysseus to say, "You rouse my pity."
  8. How does Telemakhosdistinguish Eurymachus among the suitors? Who suggested he do this?

Book 16

  1. How does Eumaios greet Telemakhos?
  2. What errand is Eumaios sent on?
  3. In this book Odysseus reveals his identity to Telemakhos. What does the reaction of the two characters tell us about the Greeks' attitude towards the expression of emotion? How does their attitude differ from ours? (Think of American film heroes like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.)
  4. In what ways does Telemakhos show in this book that he has matured?
  5. What are the three major points of strategy in the plan which Odysseus tells to Telemakhos?
  6. What does Antinoos try to get the suitors to do? Who offers a different perspective? How does Penelope learn of what the suitors are thinking? How does Penelope react to this information? Which of the suitors attempts to reassure her?

Book 17

  1. Why compare Penelope to "Artemis or golden Aphrodite" when she comes down the stairs?
  2. What does Telemakhosleave out of his "true" story when he talks to Penelope; what does he leave in? How does Theoclymenus contribute to the scene?
  3. Where has Argos been lying in the absence of his master? What is Odysseus' reaction to seeing Argos? Argos’ reaction to seeing Odysseus?
  4. How does Odysseus handle his "humiliation"? Does he seem more at ease with it than Eumaios and Telemakhos? If so, why?
  5. Who throws a footstool at Odysseus? Why do even the other suitors take exception to this?
  6. Why does Penelope want to talk to the stranger?

Book 18

  1. Why is it appropriate that Odysseus disguise himself from the suitors (with Athena's help) as a beggar?
  2. Why does Iros quarrel with "the stranger?"
  3. Why is it significant that Odysseus overcomes the swaggering beggar Iros?
  4. What is Antinoos' reaction to the unfriendly words Iros speaks to Odysseus?
  5. What is the prize for the beggar who wins the fight?
  6. Has Telemakhosfully reached manhood yet? Why is this important? What is the symbol of manhood?
  7. What part does Athena play in this book? That is, what effect does she have on Odysseus and the suitors?
  8. What is the implication of the maids' inappropriate behavior?

Book 19

  1. Penelope questions the stranger (Odysseus in disguise) closely, and he claims to be Aethon from Crete. Do you think that Penelope knows or suspects Odysseus' real identity? Why or why not?
  2. Whether she suspects anything or not, how does Penelope test the stranger? What qualities does she manifest in this book that make her a worthy match for Odysseus?
  3. Interpret the dream that Penelope relates to the stranger towards the book's end. Does it reveal things about her stance towards the suitors that would probably surprise even her?
  4. Why does Penelope tell the stranger about the contest to string Odysseus' bow that she is planning to announce?
  5. What prediction does Odysseus give to Penelope?
  6. How did Odysseus obtain the scar that Eurycleia recognizes? What does Odysseus say to Eurycleia?

Book 20

  1. What portents announce the struggle to come? How does Odysseus react to them?
  2. Athena inspires the suitors to behave even more inappropriately than usual. Why does she do that? What effect does their behavior have on Odysseus and Telemakhos?
  3. Why are the stranger's interactions with Melanthios and Philoetius placed one after the other?
  4. What does Philoetius have in common with Melanthios and Eumaios?
  5. How is Odysseus insulted by Cteppis? How does Odysseus react? Telemakhos?

Book 21

  1. Penelope fetches Odysseus' bow and announces the contest to the suitors. How do the suitors again prove that they deserve the "blood wedding" that awaits them? What must the stringer of the bow do with his shot?
  2. In what way do Telemakhos words after "giving up" show him to be a worthy son?
  3. What is Antinoos' and Eurymachus' reaction to the challenge?
  4. Melanthius is ordered to do what in order to make the bow easier to bend?
  5. How does Odysseus prove his identity to the cowherd and the swineherd?
  6. What is the purpose of the "biography" of the bow?
  7. Penelope's taking the bow from its hiding place is one of the most moving moments in this part of the poem – why?
  8. The suitors mock the stranger for wanting to take his turn with the bow. Penelope tells them to let him go ahead - why?
  9. Odysseus strings his own bow at the book's end. How does Homer handle this moment? For example, why don't we hear anything from the suitors right after Odysseus shoots his first arrow?

Book 22

  1. As logic dictates, Antinoos is the first to die. How do the remaining suitors try to appease Odysseus? Why, in view of the Odyssey's task as we have discussed it in class, would it be inappropriate for Odysseus to accept their arguments or pleas?
  2. At what points in the struggle is Athena active? How much does she help Odysseus, and how much credit is mainly his?
  3. How do Odysseus and Telemakhos deal with Melanthios the goatherd and the women who sported with the suitors? Consider the intensity of the violence throughout this book - do you find it unsettling or "over the top"? Why or why not? Does the epic narrator take up an attitude towards the violence?

Book 23