Name ______Date ______
Period ______
The Odyssey---Books IX – X Reading Guide
Book IX - Odysseus reveals his identity and begins telling the story of his travels after the Trojan War. Rebirth!
How to Cite from The Odyssey
· Copy text and place in quotation marks, open parentheses capital Roman numeral for Book, comma, Arabic numbers for line numbers. NO PAGE NUMBERS!
o Example: “…he had meditated on Aigisthos, dead / by the hand of Agamemnon’s son, Orestes…” (I, 45-46).
o Example: “While he spoke an old hound, lying near, pricked up his ears and lifted his muzzle. This was Argos…” (XVII, 375-377).
ALERT!
HUBRIS is the Greek word for “insolence,” excessive pride that constitutes
the protagonist’s tragic flaw and leads to downfall.
1. CITE (using the proper format!) a passage in which Odysseus expresses his desire to return home, despite his adventurous travels.
2. Why do you think Odysseus and his men act as they do toward the Kikones? They are not at war with these people and are not their enemies. What explains their behavior? (Hint: What have they been doing prior to this encounter?)
3. CITE (using the proper format!) a passage that reveals Odysseus’ cleverness the first time he reveals his “name” to Polyphemos.
4. When Odysseus blinds the Kyklops, two epic similes describe the scene. CITE (using the proper format) ONE of the epic similes and explain its imagery.
5. CITE (using the proper format!) another example of Odysseus’ cleverness as he escapes Polyphemos’ cave.
6.How does Odysseus’ hubris backfire at the end of Book IX?
------àContinue to other side!
Book X – Odysseus and his men arrive at Aiolia Island, home of the wind god Aiolos, at the home of the Laestrogonians, and at the home of Kirke.
7. Provide evidence (CITE!) of mistrust between Odysseus and his crew.
8. What are Odysseus’ losses after his encounter with the Laistrogonians? CITE evidence to support your answer!
9. CITE an example of Kirke’s witchlike powers.
10. How is Odysseus protected from Kirke’s spell? CITE your answer with evidence from the text.
11. Odysseus constantly fights the temptation to cease being a hero. How is he reminded that he must fulfill his heroic destiny? Provide evidence (CITE!) for your answer.
12. Why is Elpenor left behind? CITE and provide a description of his situation.
13. The Greek believed that as you crossed the River Lethe on your journey to the underworld, all memory of your life on Earth was erased. Who in the underworld still retains his memory or reason?
BONUS! For 10 extra points…..
Illustrate (draw, clip art, collage a scene) from Book IX – X. Provide a title for the illustration and include an appropriate quote and CITE properly.