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The Odyssey Annotations
Directions: Use these questions as a way to annotate The Odyssey as you are reading.
Questions“The Cyclops”
- Record Odysseus’ descriptions of the island as he is traveling to the cave.
- How does Odysseus' curiosity put everyone in danger once the men are in the cave? (Hint: Why doesn’t Odysseus want to leave before the Cyclops returns?)
- How does the Cyclops prove his barbaric and violent nature soon after he meets Odysseus and his men?
- What does Odysseus answer when the Cyclops asks him about his ship? When Cyclops asks for Odysseus’ name? How is his answer humorous later?
Questions
“Cyclops”
- Why doesn’t Odysseus stab the Cyclops when he has the chance the first night he falls asleep? Why does the Cyclops fall asleep so quickly the next night?
- How does Odysseus save his men and make it safely out of the cave?
- What critical error does Odysseus make with Cyclops as he is leaving on his ship? How does this help Cyclops and how does he respond?
Questions / Annotations
“The Sirens”
- Who warned Odysseus of this next adventure?
- What is magical about the Sirens?
- How does Odysseus protect his men? Himself?
- How did the men “disobey” Odysseus?
Questions
“Cattle of the Sun God”
- Why do the men stay so long on an island that poses a threat to them?
- Why do the men even think about eating the cattle in the first place?
- Why isn’t Odysseus part of the group that eats the cattle?
- How are the men convinced to actually eat the cattle?
- How does Zeus find out what the men have done?
- Why is Zeus “forced” to retaliate against the men?
Questions
“Cattle of the Sun God” Continued
- How are the men punished?
- What happens to Odysseus?
- How does Zeus help Odysseus out once he is floating alone at sea?
Questions
“Father and Son”
- How is Odysseus disguised by Athena so that he is unrecognized by others? How will this disguise help him later at the palace?
- Describe Telemachus’ initial reaction to Odysseus. Include the Homeric simile Homer uses to describe the moment.
- What information does Telemachus give to Odysseus about the suitors and what they will have to contend with back at the palace?
- Odysseus has a plan and he gives 3 specific instructions to Telemachus…what are they?
Questions
“The Suitors”
- How does Antinous treat the “beggar” Odysseus? Give details.
- How does Odyssues react? What does he say?
- How do the other suitors react to Odysseus and Antinous’s actions?
- What is Telemachus’s reaction?
- What does Penelope ask Eumaeus to do with the “beggar”?
Questions
“Penelope”
- What does Penelope ask about the “beggar” and how does Odysseus respond?
- What does Penelope tell Odysseus about how it’s been for the past 20 years and how she has been trying to deal with the suitors in her house?
- What is the final promise the “beggar” gives to Penelope about Odysseus?
Questions
“The Challenge”
- Describe the “challenge”
- Describe in detail how Odysseus faces achieving the challenge.
- Describe some of the suitors’ comments and why they are ironic.
- Explain how Odysseus and Telemachus then react to the suitors – What does Odysseus say to his son? What does Telemachus do?
Questions
“Odysseus’s Revenge”
- How does Odysseus transform?
- Who is the first to die? How?
- Once the first man dies, Odysseus clearly reveals himself to the rest of the suitors and then tells the men what?
- Who is the next suitor to die and how does he try to save himself and the rest of the suitors? Odysseus’ response?
- Describe the rest of the massacre, include where Telemachus goes.
Questions
“Penelope Tests Odysseus”
- Odysseus is made handsome and muscular by Athena before he faces Penelope; according to Odysseus, how does she immediately react to him?
- Penelope gives the nurse, Eurycleia, a specific order, at which Odysseus becomes enraged. What was the order and why was Odysseus so mad?
- Briefly finish this section
- Describe what happens the next day after Odysseus’ return.