Homer, The Odyssey – questions

BOOK ONE

ATHENA VISITS TELEMACHUS

  1. Who is the speaker of the words written in Italics?
  2. What is a muse?
  3. Name the muse of epic poetry.
  4. Who is “that resourceful man? (line 1) What does the word resourceful suggest about him?
  5. Who does Homer blame for the loss of Odysseus men? Why? Quote from the passage.
  6. Who is Calypso? Why did she prevent Odysseus from returning home?
  7. Which other god prevented Odysseus from returning home?
  8. Athena tells Zeus, she doesn’t care about Aegisthus. Who does she care about instead? What does she complain about?
  9. Who keeps Odysseus away, according to Zeus, and why?
  10. What does Athena suggest Hermes should do?
  11. What does she propose to do?
  12. Who is Athena disguised as?
  13. What is Telemachus doing and how is he feeling when Athena visits him? Provide evidence to explain your answer.
  14. Who welcomes Athena / Mentes? How does he welcome her? What does this show about him?
  15. This is an example of the custom of guest friendship. What does this custom involve? Why did it come about (give 2 points)?
  16. Describe the entrance of the suitors. What does this suggest about them?
  17. On pages 6-7 we have a description of what happens in a symposium. Describe.
  18. When Telemachus speaks to his guest, what is the tone of his voice and how does he feel? Provide evidence to explain your answer.
  19. When Telemachus asks Athena who he is, she tells lies to be more convincing. What is her answer? (Page 8)
  20. Outline what Athena says to Telemachus in lines 206-212. Discuss her tone and her purpose.
  21. What reasons does Telemachus give in lines 230-250 to explain why he feels so unhappy?
  22. What advice does Athena give Telemachus in lines 270-294?
  23. What does Athena say to Telemachus in lines 294-303 in order to force him out of his depression?
  24. How did Athena depart from Telemachus’ home? What is the significance of this?
  25. What effect did Athena have on Telemachus? Quote key words to provide evidence.
  26. Why does Penelope come into the dining hall?
  27. What evidence is there that Penelope is bold yet abides by the customs of her time?
  28. What does she ask Phemius to do and why?
  29. What is Telemachus’ reaction? What does this show about him?
  30. How does Penelope feel about Telemachus’ response? Quote from the poem to explain your answer.
  31. At the end of book 1, Telemachus talks bravely to the suitors. Briefly outline what he says. Why this sudden change?

BOOK FIVE

ODYSSEUS AND CALYPSO

  1. What is the setting:

In pages 63-64?

Pages 64-69?

 Page 69-75?

Page 75

  1. Who speaks up in support of Odysseus (P.63)? Who does she address and what exactly does she have to say about Odysseus’ predicament?
  2. What do the words “keeps him captive there” show about Athena’s feelings for Calypso? (P.63)
  3. Outline Zeus’ prophesy (P.63-64).
  4. Who is the Giant killer? Describe his footwear. What does he carry in his hands and for what purpose?
  5. Describe Calypso.
  6. Describe Calypso’s island.
  7. Describe the example of guest friendship found in P. 65.
  8. What’s the significance of the words “it was Zeus who sent me”? (P. 65, l. 98-99)
  9. What words of Hermes’ (P. 65) suggest

a) that gods have human feelings too?

b) that gods live in a hierarchical society?

  1. What is Hermes’ message?
  2. How does Calypso respond:

 Initially? – Quote key words. (p. 66)

Finally? Quote key words. (p.67-68)

  1. The very first time we meet Odysseus, he is not the man we expect. Explain why. (P. 66-67)
  2. What do we learn about Calypso on page 67?
  3. How does Calypso show her great love for Odysseus? (P.67, lines 195-7)
  4. What’s the great gift Calypso offers Odysseus (p. 68, l. 209)? Give THREE reasons to explain why he can’t accept?
  5. Calypso believes Odysseus wants to return home because of Penelope. What does she have to say about this? How does Odysseus respond? Comment on his words “wise Penelope” (P. 68, P.217). What then drew him back to Penelope?
  6. What does Odysseus’ response show about his character? Provide evidence to explain your answer. (P. 68)
  7. What do we learn in P. 69 about Odysseus? Provide evidence to explain your answer.
  8. To sum up, what help did Calypso give Odysseus?
  9. Who creates trouble for Odysseus while at sea and why? What kind of trouble?
  10. What is Odysseus afraid of when he is caught in the storm (P. 70 lines 306-312)?
  11. Name the goddess who helped him? What was her advice and how did he respond?
  12. When and how does Athena help Odysseus (P. 73 and 75)?
  13. Name the place that Odysseus landed in.

BOOK SIX

NAUSICAA

1.What kinds of people live on the island of Scherie and who is their king?

2.Describe Nausicaa.

3.What literary technique is the phrase “the bright-eyed Athena”? Give TWO reasons to explain why the bard may have used this technique.

4.What thoughts had Athena put into Nausicaa’s head? How? With what purpose?

5.What does Nausicaa say to her father (Page 77)? What does this tell us about Nausicaa? Quote from the passage on page 77 to illustrate your answers.

6.How does Athena intervene to ensure that Odysseus and Nausicaa meet? Why does the goddess want them to meet?

7.Describe their meeting. What does her behaviour reveal about her character compared to that of her maids?

8.What do Odysseus’ first words to Nausicaa show about his character? Quote to illustrate your answer.

9.What two things does Odysseus ask of Nausicaa? (Page 80)

10.Describe the example of guest-friendship on page 81.

11.How and for what purpose does Athena intervene in Page 82? Does she achieve her purpose? Provide evidence to justify your answer.

12.What do the words “my white-armed girls” tell us about Homeric society.

13.Describe in detail the plan that Nausicaa devises in order to help Odysseus reach her father’s palace?

14.What does this plan show about Nausicaa?

15.How does Nausicca let Odysseus know that she likes him? What does this show about her?

BOOK 9

ODYSSEUS VISITS THE CYCLOPS

  1. What adventures did Odysseus and his men experience on:
  2. the land of the Cicones?
  3. the land of the Lotus Eaters?
  4. Describe the land of the Cyclops.
  5. How was the Cyclopes’ society different than that of Odysseus’?
  6. With what intentions did Odysseus approach Polyphemus’ cave?
  7. Polyphemus resembles both a man and a superhuman, in actions as well as behaviour. Provide evidence to support this statement.
  8. How does Odysseus appeal to the Cyclops? (Page 117, line 269-272)
  9. How does Polyphemus react to the mention of Zeus in Page117?
  10. Why did Odysseus lie when Polyphemus asked where his ship was? What does this show about Odysseus?
  11. Why didn’t Odysseus revenge the savage death of his friends right from the
  12. beginning? What does this show about Odysseus?
  13. Why does Odysseus lie about his name?
  14. List in the right order, the steps Odysseus takes in order to blind Polyphemus. What does this show about Odysseus?
  15. How do Odysseus and his men get out of the cave and what is the irony of this?
  16. Polyphemus’s speech to his favourite ram contradicts whatever impressions we have of him. Why? Provide evidence to illustrate your answer.
  17. Why does Odysseus reveal his true identity in the end? What is the outcome? So was Odysseus wise or rather stupid?
  18. To whom does the Cyclops pray in P. 123-4? Why is it unusual that he is praying? (Think back to what happened in P 117).
  19. What is the Cyclops’ prayer (explain in detail) and how does this affect Odysseus and his crew?

BOOK 19

EURYCLEIA RECOGNISES ODYSSEUS

  1. Why did Odysseus suggest they put the weapons in the storeroom?
  2. Why does he not want the maids to help out?
  3. How does Athena help in this task?
  4. Who is Penelope compared to in page 251 and what does this suggest about her?
  5. Name the maid who abuses Odysseus (page 251). How does Penelope react and what does this show about her?
  6. What is the purpose of the conversation between Odysseus and Penelope?
  7. What do we learn about Penelope from pages 252-3? Provide examples to illustrate your answers.
  8. Make a list of the lies Odysseus tells Penelope. Why does he lie to her?
  9. Describe the brooch (page 255). What is the symbolic significance of the image depicted on this?
  10. Explain in detail what Penelope asks her maid to do for Odysseus. What is this an example of? (page 258)
  11. Who washes Odysseus’ feet? Why does Odysseus ask for her?
  12. How and why does she recognize Odysseus (page 259)? Describe her reaction (page 261)
  13. Where/how did Odysseus get the scar?
  14. What did Odysseus do when she recognised him? Why was he so nasty to his old nurse?
  15. How does Athena intervene in this incident?
  16. What does Penelope tell Odysseus when they resume their discussion?
  17. Describe Penelope’s dream and explain what it symbolises. How does Odysseus interpret the dream? What is unusual about this dream?
  18. What contest does Penelope intend to call and with what purpose?
  19. Why does Odysseus encourage Penelope to hold this contest? What does this tell us about his character?

BOOK 20

PRELUDE TO THE CRISIS

  1. What is Odysseus thinking about (P.266-7) and what does this tell us about his character?
  2. What does Athena say to Odysseus (p.267) and how is this helpful to him?
  3. What evidence does Odysseus ask from the gods to prove that they will help him? How do the gods respond?
  4. Name the three shepherds and identify the friends/enemies of Odysseus.
  5. Describe the behaviour of the suitors during the symposion. What was Athena’s involvement in the events that took place and for what reasons does she interfere?
  6. How does Telemachus speak to the suitors and what does this show about him?
  7. Describe the strange events that upset the suitors while feasting? Who was

responsible and what is the symbolic significance of these visions?

BOOK 21

THE GREAT BOW

  1. Where did Odysseus get his famous bow and arrow? Why did he not take it with him?
  2. How does the great bow highlight the heroism of Odysseus? (Give TWO points)
  3. Who introduces the contest to the suitors? What’s the prize?
  4. Provide evidence (TWO quotes) from pages 278-9 to show that Penelope does not want to marry again.
  5. Name the slave who passed the bow and arrows to the suitors.
  6. Who began the contest? Why did Homer have this person take part in the contest? How successful was he and what does this show about him (answer in detail)?
  7. How successful were the suitors and what’s the significance of this? Quote from page 280-1 words, which show how the suitors feel about this contest.
  8. For what reasons does Odysseus reveal his identity to his two shepherds? How does he prove his identity to them? Name the two shepherds. How do they receive him?
  9. What tasks does he allocate to them?
  10. Explain in detail how Odysseus gets hold of the bow and takes part in the contest? (you must explain what role Penelope and Telemachus play during this scene. P. 283-7.
  11. In what ways are the events at the bottom of page 285 similar to what happened in Book I?

BOOK 22

THE BATTLE IN THE HALL

1.Describe in detail the main events during the battle.

2.Give at least THREE quotes from pages 288-297 which highlight Odysseus heroism and explain how they do that.

3.What is Telemachus’ mistake (page 291-2)? How does Telemachus behave when his mistake is revealed? What does this incident show about Telemachus? How does Odysseus feel about this?

  1. How does Athena get involved in pages 293-296 (make a list of the kinds of help she offers)? How does she test Odysseus and Telemachus strength and courage? Why is it important that the two men kill the suitors without too much help from Athena? What help does she provide?
  2. Whose life does Odysseus spare and why?
  3. When Eurycleia sets eyes on Odysseus, what does he resemble? What is the symbolic significance of this?
  4. Page 298 – Odysseus says “I’ll have no cries of triumph here”. Who does he say this to and why? What does it show about Odysseus’ character?
  5. How are the disloyal female and male slaves punished? Is Odysseus hard on them / nasty or do they deserve to be treated in this manner?
  6. Why did Odysseus ask for a fire?
  7. In page 289 Homer refers to Odysseus as a “master-strategist”. Provide evidence from book 22 to justify this description.

BOOK 23

ODYSSEUS AND PENELOPE

1.Why is Penelope unaware of what happened in her house?

2.Who tells Penelope Odysseus is home? Describe how she does this. What is Penelope’s response?

3.Describe Penelope’s behaviour as she goes to meet Odysseus. What does this show about her character?

4.What does Telemachus say to his mother? Discuss (what do you think about his words? Is he justified or not and why?).

5.What does Odysseus do next and why? What does this reveal about Odysseus?

6.How and why does Athena intervene (page 304-5)?

7.How does Penelope greet Odysseus next? What trick does she play on him? Why? What does this reveal about her?

8.What is Odysseus’ reaction to Penelope’s trick?

9.Describe their emotional reunion.

10.What does Odysseus have to do before he settles down and why?