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“The Odyssey”Study Guide Part 1: Books 1-12

*Complete the questions to each book of “The Odyssey” as we venture through this epic story!

Book 1:

  1. What did Poseidon have against Odysseus?
  1. Why did the goddess Athena want Zeus to send Hermes to Calypso?
  1. What problems did Odysseus’ absence cause for his wife and son?
  1. Why did Telemachus go on a voyage?
  1. “Long years ago, when she had just been touched by loveliness, Laertes purchased her.” Do you think Laertes’ wife was jealous?
  1. Prediction: Zeus mentioned that Agamemnon had been murdered by Aegisthus. Why do you suppose Agamemnon was killed?

Book 2:

  1. According to Antinous, why was Penelope to blame for the messy situation in Odysseus’ house?
  1. Who was Halitherses, and what prediction did he make?
  1. Athena disguised as Mentor told the suitors, “I am not incensed by all the suitor’s plots and violence…Instead my wrath indicts the rest of you, who sit in silence.” What was she saying?
  1. Why didn’t Eurycleia want Telemachus to leave?
  1. Prediction: Will Telemachus’ voyage be successful?

Book 3:

  1. Who killed Agamemnon and how was that murder avenged?
  1. What did Nestor know about Odysseus’ whereabouts?

(“The Odyssey” Study Guide Part 1, page 2)

  1. Why did Nestor advise Telemachus to let Nestor’s sons “guide (him) into sunlit Lacedaemon”?
  1. What sort of sacrifice did Nestor oversee before sending his son off with Telemachus to Sparta?
  1. Prediction: Will Telemachus follow in Orestes’ footsteps?

Book 4:

  1. What did Menelaus tell Telemachus about the wooden horse?
  1. Why didn’t Menelaus go right home after the Trojan War?
  1. What did Menelaus reveal about Odysseus’ whereabouts?
  1. “Athena sent that phantom to the house of the divine Odysseus.” Explain who Athena sent where – and why.
  1. Prediction: Will the suitors attack Telemachus?

Book 5:

  1. How did Calypso help Odysseus leave the island – and why?
  1. “Goddess, I know you’ve something else in mind – something beyond my being free to leave.” What was probably Odysseus’ tone of voice as he answered Calypso?
  1. Why did Odysseus’ boat sink?
  1. Why didn’t Odysseus drown?
  1. Prediction: How will Odysseus be treated by the Phaeacians?

Book 6:

  1. Why did Nausicaa go to the riverbank?
  1. “…terrified, they scattered on the shore, on here, on there.” Who? Why?

(“The Odyssey” Study Guide Part 1, page 3)

  1. “Would that my husband were a man like him.” What was Nausicaa thinking?
  1. What did Nausicaa instruct Odysseus to do – and why?
  1. Prediction: Will the Phaeacians help Odysseus?

Book 7:

  1. For what skills were Phaeacian men and women known?
  1. How was Odysseus treated when he reached the palace?
  1. “So profound is her good sense that – for those men and women she esteems – she acts as judge in feuds and bickerings.” Who was “she”?
  1. Why did Arete ask Odysseus about his cloak?
  1. Prediction: Do you think Alcinous will press Odysseus further to marry his daughter?

Book 8:

  1. Briefly describe the three stories sung by Demodocus:

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  1. Cite the passage where Euryalus taunted Odysseus.
  1. List the contests held by the Phaeacians:
  1. At which event did Odysseus excel?
  1. Prediction: Will Odysseus tell the truth about who he is and where he has been?

(“The Odyssey” Study Guide Part 1, page 4)

Book 9:

  1. Briefly describe the dangers faced by Odysseus’ men in their travels – and how they fared, in each case:

DangerDescriptionOutcome

Cicones

Lotus-Eaters

Cyclops

  1. Why did Odysseus and his men go into the Cyclops’ cave?
  1. “This is the gift I give to you, my guest.” Why didn’t Odysseus ever receive that gift – and why wouldn’t he have appreciated it if he had?
  1. Why didn’t the other Cyclops help Polyphemus when he cried out after being blinded by Odysseus?
  1. Prediction: Will Poseidon ever get the chip off his shoulder and stop tormenting Odysseus?

Book 10:

  1. What gift – and instructions – did Aelous give Odysseus?
  1. How did Odysseus and his men end up back in Aeolia?
  1. How did the Laestrygonians treat Odysseus and his men?
  1. “Its root was black; its flower was white as milk. It’s moly for the gods.” Who gave Odysseus that gift and what was it for?
  1. Prediction: Why will Odysseus return to the island where Circe lives?

Book 11:

  1. Who were the first three people Odysseus met in Hades?
  1. “It was lament for you – your gentleness and wisdom… -- that robbed me of the honey-sweet of life.” What did Odysseus’ mother mean?

(“The Odyssey” Study Guide Part 1, page 5)

  1. What did Tiresias predict?
  1. List three Greeks in Hades who had fought alongside of Odysseus in the Trojan War:

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  1. Prediction: Odysseus’ mother describes her husband as lying sorrowfully, in rags. Will Odysseus ever see him again?

Book 12:

  1. Why did Odysseus put wax in the crew’s ears?
  1. What danger did Odysseus face after passing the Sirens?
  1. How did Odysseus’ men get into trouble on the island of the sun god? How many survived?
  1. “For nine days I was dragged; and on the tenth the gods cast me upon Ogygia’s coast.” Who did Odysseus meet there?
  1. Prediction: What new problems will Odysseus have on his trip to Ithaca?

Additional Notes: