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From the Odyssey- Part I

Answer the following questions on your own paper while we are reading. Be prepared to discuss the answers after the selection is read. It would be wise to keep these questions and their answers so that you can study for your test. This is the THIRD set of questions.

“The Sirens” (Pages 1071-1073; Lines 672-756)

  1. The sorceress Circe both helps and hinders Odysseus on his journey home. What can you tell about Circe from this illustration on page 1070?
  2. Good leaders assign or give responsibilities to their followers and trust them to do their work well. Think about employers and employees. With this in mind, how might Odysseus’ men respond if asked to do a task that has not been explained to them?
  3. What does Odysseus reveal about his character by sharing information with is men?
  4. What instructions does Odysseus give his shipmates as they prepare to deal with the Sirens?
  5. The Greeks did not understand the science behind the rising and setting of the sun. Often times, the Greeks explained daylight as a god driving a chariot across the sky.
  6. How did the sun appear to early people? In other words, what did it look like or what might they think the sun was?
  7. What does Odysseus’ mention of Helios reveal about ancient Greek beliefs regarding astronomical events?
  8. The Sirens offer men the opportunity to escape from their homesickness and enjoy themselves. The men who are lured in by the Sirens then die at sea.
  9. Which details in the Sirens’ song are designed to flatter the epic hero?
  10. How does Odysseus keep his shipmates from hearing the Sirens song?

“Scylla and Charybdis” (Pages 1073-1076; Lines 756-827)

  1. Read lines 765 (beginning with “Friends) – 772 (ending with, “something that we remember”). Where would you put the emphasis in your reading of these lines and why?
  1. What might Odysseus’ crew respond to the question, “Have we never been in danger before this?”
  1. What parts of Odysseus’ speech demonstrate his strength as a leader?
  1. How does Odysseus try to motivate his men in the passage, “Heads up, lads...and you drown us,” (lines 772-781)?
  1. How do the men react? What does this suggest about Odysseus’ heroic qualities?
  1. How does the image the image on page 1075 compare with the description of the Scylla in the scene?
  1. What demand does Odysseus make of his men as they approach the rough waters?
  1. How have Odysseus and his men responded to the deaths of their crewmates?
  1. What quality of heroic leadership does Odysseus show in lines 823-825 on page 1076?

“The Cattle of the Sun God” (Pages 1076-1082; Lines 828-997)

  1. Which details here suggest that ancient Greeks believed the gods controlled the weather?
  2. How does Poseidon feel toward Odysseus? Why?
  3. How does this passage on page 1076 lines 840-842 show that ancient Greeks believed their gods had human-like emotions?
  4. Why do you think that Odysseus is able to resist the temptation of eating the cows he sees before him?
  5. What do you think Eurylochus was able to convince the sailors that they should eat the cattle?
  6. How are the values of Eurylochus different from those of Odysseus?
  7. Who owns the heifers and sheep on the island?
  8. How does the inclusion of real places make the story’s imaginary events more believable?
  9. Read lines 907-914 on page 1079. Remember that this is told in Odysseus point of view. How could Odysseus have information about a conversation between two gods?
  10. Could he have known about this conversation at the time that it happened?
  11. Do you think Odysseus might have made different decisions if he had known about Zeus’ promise to hit his ship with a “bolt?”
  12. What details in lines 920-921 on page 1079 clarify the flashback presented here?
  13. What do Odysseus’ shipmates do while he is sleeping?
  14. How do you think that the picture of the ship on page 1080 (similar to one that Odysseus and his shipmates would have sailed in) would fare in a storm?
  15. In the Odyssey, Odysseus’ son Telemachus searches for his father in a ship like this one. From what you observe in the painting, how does this ship compare with modern ships?
  16. Are there any other survivors from the wreck?
  17. Read lines 948-955. What do you hope do you see of Odysseus returning home?
  18. Which of Odysseus’ heroic qualities does he demonstrate in lines 955-962 on page 1081?
  19. How is Odysseus’ ship destroyed?
  20. In what way doe lines 994-997 on page 1082 remind you that Odysseus is telling his story to an audience?

Critical Thinking Questions on page 1082

  1. If you were on of Odysseus’ crew, how would you feel about hiving him as your leader? Explain your response.
  2. See Below:
  3. In the episode of the Lotus-Eaters, how dos Odysseus handle the men who at the lotus?
  4. What does Odysseus understand that his men do not?
  5. See Below:
  6. In the episode of the Cattle of the Sun God, why does the crew kill the cattle?
  7. How does Odysseus react to this action?
  8. What does Odysseus’ reaction show about the importance of the gods to him? In other words, how important are they?
  9. See Below:
  10. The Odyssey has entertained people for thousands of years. Why do you think it has remained such an enduring work of literature?
  11. Could Odysseus have prevented his men from eating the cattle of Helios and so saved their lives? Explain.