Background Notes on the Odyssey

Background Notes on the Odyssey

The Odyssey


Achaeans: (e ke anz), Homer’s name for the Greeks.

Alcinous: (al sin o es), the generous, good-natured king of the Phaeacians, to whom Odysseus tells his story.

Antinous: (an tine o es), the most aggressive and cruel of Penelope’s suitors.

Eumaeus: (yu me es), Odysseus’s faithful swineherd.

Eurycleia: (yu re kle e), Odysseus’s faithful old nurse, who recognizes him in his beggar disguise.

Eurylochus: (yu re le kes), one of Odysseus’s crewmen.

Eurymachus: (yu re me kes), a treacherous suitor.

Laertes: (la er tez), Odysseus’s elderly father. He lives alone on a small farm outside of town.

Melanthius: (me lan the es), Odysseus’s chief goatherd. While Odysseus is gone, he ignores his duties and befriends the suitors.

Mentor: (men tor), a faithful friend of Odysseus who served as Telemachus’s tutor. Athena sometimes disguises herself as Mentor.

Odysseus: (o dis e es), king of Ithaca and hero of the ten-year Trojan War. He is forced by the angry gods to wander for ten more years before returning home. In Latin, known as Ulysses.

Penelope: ( pe nel e pe), Odysseus’s faithful wife.

Philoetius: (fi le shes), Odysseus’s chief cowherd. He helps Odysseus fight the suitors.

Telemachus: (te lem e kes), Odysseus’s brave and loyal son, who fights with Odysseus against the suitors.

Athena: (ah thee na), daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom. She assists Odysseus during his journey and helps him defeat the suitors.

Calypso: (ke lip so), a sea nymph who keeps Odysseus captive for many years.

Charybdis: (ke rib dis), a huge, dangerous whirlpool.

Circe: (ser se), an enchantress who temporarily turns Odysseus’s crew into swine. Odysseus stays with her for a year, and she helps him on his voyage home.

Cyclopes: (sci k lops), a race of one-eyed giants.

Helios: (he le os), god of the sun.

Hermes: (her mez), son of Zeus and messenger of the gods. Hermes helps Odysseus resist Circe’s spell.

Polyphemus: (pol e fe mes), a Cyclops and a son of Poseidon. Odysseus blinds hime, angering Poseidon.

Scylla: (sil ah), a sea monster with six heads who eats some of Odysseus’s crew.

Sirens: (si renz), beautiful but deadly maidens who tempt passing sailors with tantalizing singing.

Zeus: (zus), the supreme god and king of Olympus.

WriterTranslator

Homer (8th century BC) Robert Fitzgerald

Terms:

epic (noun) – a long narrative poem about the deeds of a hero/heroine. Epics are based in

part on historical fact, blending legend with truth.

epic hero – the central character in an epic who often portrays the goals and values of the

society.

odyssey (noun) – journey/quest- series of wanderings with exciting adventures.

fate (noun) – the ultimate order of things – one’s destiny.

Warrior’s CodeTrojan War

Bravery in battleTrojans versus Greeks

Loyalty to family & friendsParis, prince of Troy, kidnaps Helen of Troy

Honor, honesty, hospitalityGreeks fought to get her back

Aristocratic valuesWar lasted 10 years

Setting the Scene At Troy (movie)

The Achaeans (Homer’s name for the Greeks) have fought and won a ten-year war against Troy. On the voyage home to Ithaca, the Greek hero Odysseus and his men anger Poseidon, god of the sea, when they blind Polyphemus, the giant Cyclops who is Poseidon’s son.

When the Odyssey begins, Odysseus has been detained for many years on the island of the nymph Calypso. Back home in Ithaca, young men have moved into Odysseus’s palace, hoping to marry his wife Penelope. Penelope says she will choose a husband after weaving a funeral shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes. But each night she unravels her weaving, thereby prolonging her task.

At the urging of Athena, goddess of wisdom, the gods finally agree to help Odysseus return home. Athena sends Odysseus’s son Telemachus on a journey to find out if his father is alive. While Telemachus is gone, Penelope’s suitors plot to kill him.

Meanwhile, the god Hermes orders Calypso to release Odysseus. Odysseus sets sail, but is shipwrecked by Poseidon. He washes up on an island, where he is aided by the friendly Phaeacians. At a Phaeacian banquet, Odysseus tells of his adventures during the ten years since the fall of Troy. He begins by describing his encounters with the Cicones, the Lotus Eaters, and the Cyclops.

Main Characters:

Odysseus- main characterPenelope- his wifeTelemachus – his son

Poseidon- god of seaAthena- goddess of warAchilleo -

Plot Summary:Themes:

1. Telemachus is bornBravery

2. Odysseus and men fight the TrojansLoyalty

3. Trojan horse trick fools men of TroyPerseverance

4. Odysseus brags and angers PoseidonPride

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Clever and sneakyover confident –tells Athena he is a tricky &

strong leader, and he doesn’t need her

Prideful and vain

Foreshadowing – hint of future events. Soothsayer’s (fortuneteller’s) warning ______

Book IX New Coasts

Part IPage 145-148

Lines 20-112

Main Characters:

The Cicones ~The Lotus Eaters ~

the army that attacks Odysseus’s menIsland people who eat lotus plant, which

who are raiding their land of Ismarus gives them and all who eat lotus a false sense of happiness.

1. Where does Odysseus believe one finds the most happiness? In what way does this sentiment affect the decisions he makes?

2. What prevents Odysseus and his men from getting away safely after the battle at Ismarus?

3. Why does were so many of Odysseus believe so many of his men were lost in the battle with the Cicones?

4. How does Zeus continue to plague the Achaeans (Greeks)?

5. Why do the Achaeans want to stay with the Lotus Eaters? How does Odysseus display his abilities as a leader at this critical time?

6. What factors have delayed the Achaeans’ journey home? Which of these situations could have been avoided? Which were beyond their control? Explain your answers.

7. Describe your impressions of Odysseus so far?

8. Brief as it is, the episode of the Lotus-Eaters is one of the most famous parts of The Odyssey. Why do you think readers have found it so interesting?

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

- wisdom –cockiness

-leadership –blames others

- courage –

- sensitive –

Simile – comparison using like or as. Cicones’ army is like blades of grass.

Book IX The Cyclops

Part II Poseidon’s Son

Page 148-162

Lines 112-168

Main Character:

Polyphemus –an uncivilized, savage, shepherd, one eyed, large beast, son of Poseidon.

1. Why is Odysseus willing to risk visiting the Cyclops?

2. Explain how Odysseus and his men get trapped and how they escape from the Cyclops’ cave.

3. Why is the Cyclops not impressed when Odysseus threatens him with the vengeance of Zeus?

4. Why do the other Cyclopes fail to help Polyphemus when they respond to his cries for help?

5. What is ironic about the curse Polyphemus calls down upon Odysseus in lines 378 to 385?

6. Odysseus tells of his grief over lost companions and his longing for home. Do you think he bears any responsibility for the great number of deaths of his crew or because his men have not reached home yet? Explain.

7. What survival qualities foes Odysseus exhibit in his encounter with Polyphemus?

8. Has your impression of Odysseus’ character changed since the beginning? Explain.

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

HospitalityImpulsive – goes to cave without thought to

Clever –escapes from caveconsequences

PUN – a play on words. How is NOBODY (NOHBODY) a pun? Couldn’t convince others that “someone” was attacking him.

The Goddess Circe

After escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus and his fleet reach the island of the wind king Aeolus where they receive shelter and provisions to continue their journey home. As a gift to ensure good sailing, Aeolus gives Odysseus a bull-hide sack holding all of the contrary winds. Within sight of Ithaca, Odysseus’s men jealously open the sack, believing it will contain gold and silver. The winds blow them all the way back to Aeolus’s island. Odysseus again asks Aeolus for help, but the king denies him, saying the gods must curse Odysseus. When Odysseus’ fleet reaches land again, they are ambushed by Laestrygonians, a race of man-eating giants. All the ships but Odysseus’s are destroyed.

Grieving for their comrades, Odysseus and his shipmates sail on to an unfamiliar island where they spot smoke rising from the forest. Odysseus’s shipmate Eurylochus goes with half of the crew to investigate, leaving Odysseus and the others with the ship. They discover the goddess Circe’s stone house where tamed wolves and mountain lions lie at the door. Fearing foul play, Eurylochus hides nearby. He watches helplessly as Circe turns his unsuspecting shipmates into swine by giving them wine mixed with a magic potion.

When Eurylochus returns to the ship and tells what has happened, Odysseus sets out alone to rescue his men. On his way, the messenger god, Hermes, appears and gives him a magic herb that will counteract Circe’s bewitching potion.

Book XThe Grace of the Witch

The Goddess Circe

Page 165-182

Lines 1-635

Main Characters:

Eurylochus – a shipmate of Odysseus’, who warily investigates Circe.

King Aeolus – the king who gives Odysseus a bag of magic wind to help him home.

Laestrygonians – man-eating giants who ambush Odysseus and his men.

Circe –goddess who turns Odysseus’ men into swine.

1. Who helps Odysseus and how?

2. What two clues reveal Odysseus’s identity to Circe?

3. Odysseus’ men have been turned into swine by Circe. How does the crew’s predicament compare to Odysseus’s treatment at Circe’s hands? Why does Circe treat Odysseus differently from his crew?

4. Circe has power of enchantment, yet Odysseus is able to enchant Circe. How does he do it? What does he accomplish through the enchantment?

5. Why does Odysseus stay with Circe for so long?

6. What finally convinces Odysseus to resume his journey?

7. Odysseus made Circe swear against enchantment. What is ironic about his long stay with the goddess? Did Odysseus truly escape enchantment or not? Explain.

8. Is Circe a manipulative witch, a friend, of something else? Explain.

9. Do you find it out of character for Odysseus to cry when he hears he must visit the land of the dead? Why or why not?

10. Why do you think Odysseus wants to kill Eurylochus when Eurylochus reminds the others of Odysseus’ actions in the land of the Cyclops?

Theme:Conflict:

Courage and LeadershipShould he stay or go?

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Some gods on his sideLikes to be coddled

Faithful to his menIs a man tempted by a woman

Cleverly manipulates Circe

Simile – comparison – Odysseus is like a COW and his men are like CALVES.

Book XI A Gathering of Shades The Land of the Dead

Page 185-195…

Lines 1-387

Main Characters:

Elpenor – a shipmate of Odysseus who dies on the island of Circe

Teiresias – a blind prophet who gives Odysseus advice

1. What is the purpose of the rites Odysseus performs in the land of the Men of Winter?

2. What does the ghost of Elpenor request?

3. What advice does Teiresias give Odysseus?

4. What does Teiresias foretell?

5. Do Teiresias’ predictions and advice seem reasonable to go? Explain.

6. What adventures do you expect to read about in the remaining excerpts?

7. What traits does Odysseus reveal in this episode that he did not reveal in his adventure with the Cyclops?

Theme:sacrifice – suffering is a rite of passage - to hell and back

Conflict: Odysseus versus fate (future)

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Sensitive to mother’s deathleadership and consequential loss of men

Loyalty of Elpenor

Book XII Sea Perils…

Part I The Sirens

Page 209-216

Lines 1-258

Main Characters:

Sirens- are singing bird women who draw sailors and their ships to the rocks.

1. What warning does Circe give Odysseus, and what is his response?

2. What danger do the Sirens pose?

3. Why does Circe counsel Odysseus against engaging Scylla in battle?

4. How does Odysseus try to avoid the destiny set for him by the gods? What does this attempt reveal about his character?

5. Gods, goddesses, and other characters in mythology often represent basic human qualities. What do the Sirens represent?

6. Why is Odysseus the only one to listen to the Sirens song? He is the leader and courageous. The song to tempt him is about his great victory at Troy.

7. Compare the peril of the Sirens to the peril of the Lotus Eaters. Sirens are aware of the evil they so, while the Lotus Eaters are just generous.

Themes:

Conflict:

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Willing to listendoesn’t listen enough

Orders men to follow him

Book XII Sea Perils…

Part II Scylla and Charybdis

Page 216-218

Lines 259-338

Main Characters:

Scylla- six headed monster

Charybdis- sea monster that swirls and sucks down ships

1. Do you think Odysseus was right not to warn his men about Scylla? Why or why not?

2. Why might the myth of Charybdis have been created by early sailors?

3. Why do you think Odysseus chooses to sail toward Scylla rather than Charybdis?

4. How does the saying “caught between a rock and a hard place” relate to this scene?

5. Why do the men obey Eurylochus? Is he a better speaker, O is not there, or the men are just hungry?

6. Why does Eurylochus disregard for Odysseus’s orders in the land of Helios a surprise?

Themes:Conflicts: monsters

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Pity for mencannot save all of his men

Leadership

Simile- Scylla snatching of ____ like ______.

Book XII Sea Perils and Defeat

Part III The Cattle of the Sun

Page 219-225

Lines 339-580

Main Characters:

Eurylochus - Odysseus’ second in command

Helios - Sun god

Zeus - King of Gods

Plot Summary:

1. What does Eurylochus say to persuade Odysseus’ men to slaughter and eat the cattle of Helios, the sun god?

2. What is Zeus’ response to Helios’ demand for revenge? I will send down a hot white bolt and wreck their ship.

3. How does Odysseus manage to escape death?

4. Do the men obey Eurylochus because his speech is more persuasive than Odysseus’ or because Odysseus is not present to stop them? Give reasons for your opinion.

5. What impression of the gods do you get from the conference between Helios and Zeus?

6. Tell why you do or do not think that the punishment Zeus inflicts on the men is the right one for their offense?

Themes:Conflicts: Odysseus vs. gods

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Seeks help in prayerMen don’t listen to him

Building Background: The Homecoming

The Hero’s Return

After Odysseus finishes the long tale of his years of wandering, his generous Phaeacian hosts give him many gifts and send him home to Ithaca on one of their magic ships.

On the beach in Ithaca, the goddess warns Odysseus about the suitors. Athena explains that Penelope has waited faithfully for Odysseus, and that his son Telemachus is abroad seeking news of his whereabouts. She disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so that he can assess the situation at home. Odysseus visits his loyal servant, Eumaeus the swineherd, who treats him kindly despite his rough appearance. Unaware that his visitor is Odysseus, Eumaeus speaks highly of his long-absent master.

Meanwhile, Telemachus returns to Ithaca, avoiding a trap the suitors have set for him. Telemachus’ travels have taught him much about the world, and he returns with a new sense of confidence and self-respect. He goes directly to Eumaeus, who greets him warmly. After sharing a meal with Eumaeus and the disguised Odysseus, Telemachus explains his predicament with the suitors. Telemachus then sends Eumaeus to tell Penelope that he has returned safely from his travels. Telemachus and Odysseus are thus alone when the goddess Athena arrives.

Book XVIFather and Son

Page 294 – 297

Lines 182-283

Main Characters:

Athena - goddess of war who turns Odysseus into a beggar.

Eumaeus - the swineherd who treats Odysseus kindly.

Telemachus - Odysseus’ 20-year-old son who is looking for Odysseus.

1. What does Athena say and do to Odysseus?

2. Why is Odysseus able to see Athena when Telemachus does not?

3. Telemachus says he doubts Odysseus’ identity because only gods can turn beggars into kings. Why else might he doubt what he sees? .

4. Were you surprised by the emotional reunion between Telemachus and Odysseus? Why or why not?

5. What dos Odysseus direct his son to do in preparation for the attack on the suitors?

6. Why does Odysseus keep his identity a secret at this point?

Themes:Epic hero returnsConflicts: Convincing son & Suitors in power

Odysseus’ StrengthsOdysseus’ Weaknesses

Reunited with son & Calculating/patient needs disguise yet

Book XVII Beggar at the Manor

Argos

Page 315-328

Lines 209-670

Main Characters:

AntoniusPenelope

1. What makes this episode touching? Explain.

2. What was Argus like in his youth?