The Odyssey
by Homer
NAME ______
DATE ______HOUR ______
Gods and Goddesses to Remember
Greek Name / Roman Name / DefinitionCronus / Saturn / Last of the Titan rulers of heaven; father of Zeus
Zeus / Jupiter / King of gods on MountOlympus; lord of the sky and earth; thunder bolt
Poseidon / Neptune / Mighty lord of earthquakes and of the sea; Zeus’s brother; trident
Hades / Pluto / Dreaded god of the underworld (Hades); Zeus’s brother; invisible helmet
Hera / Juno / Zeus’s beautiful, but jealous wife; protector of marriage and married women
Athena / Minerva / Goddess of wisdom and warfare; city of Athens named after her
Apollo / Apollo / God of the sun; patron of poetry, music, medicine, archery, and agriculture
Artemis / Diana / Goddess of the moon and hunting; twin sister of Apollo
Aphrodite / Venus / Goddess of love and beauty; wife of Hephaestus
Ares / Mars / Brutal and unpredictable god of war
Demeter / Ceres / Goddess of the earth and agriculture; mother of Persephone
Hermes / Mercury / Messenger of the gods; protector of travelers and traders
Hephaestus / Vulcan / God of fire; master craftsman; lame and peace-loving husband of Aphrodite
Hestia / Vesta / Goddess of the home and hearth
Dionysus / Bacchus / God of wine; patron of drama, poetry, and song
Pan / Faunus / Protector of shepherds, flocks, woods, and pastures; known for his flute-playing
Eros / Cupid / Playful god of love; son of Aphrodite
Janus / Roman god of beginnings and endings; often depicted with two faces on gates and arches
AN ANCIENT FAMILY TREE
THE GREEK GODS
Notes from Pages 481 – 483
HISTORICAL CONNECTION (pg. 481): Read through this two paragraph section. Then, identify the five most important facts from the section. Incorporate these facts into a two-three sentence summary.
______
THE EPIC: pgs. 482-483
Definition of an epic: ______
Characteristics of an epic (shorten to key words):
1. 2.
3.4.
5.
The Trojan War (pg. 482): Read through this one paragraph section. Then, identify the three-five most important facts from the section. Incorporate these facts into a two-three sentence summary.
______
The Story of Odysseus (pg. 483): Read through this one paragraph section. Then, identify the thee-five most important facts from the section. Incorporate these facts into a one sentence summary.
______
The Olympian Gods (pg. 483): Read through this two paragraph section. Then, identify the five most important facts from the section. Incorporate these facts into a two-three sentence summary.
______
Reading Guide: Book Nine: "New Coasts and Poseidon's Son"
DIRECTIONS: We will be reading pages 488-496 together as a class. As we read, we will stop at various points for discussion. The discussion notes will be completed together. You are responsible for completing the comprehension questions on your own.READ TOGETHER AS A CLASS (pgs. 488-496)
NOTES from Discussion & Pair Activities- We will complete these discussion questions and activities together in class.
- All questions are in order of appearance in the epic. You are responsible for answering these questions on your own.
Details
On page 490, Odysseus presents several criticisms of the Cyclopes’ society. Make a list of those criticisms.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CYCLOPES
Inference
Based on Odysseus’ criticisms, what can we infer about Greek society? What can we infer about Odysseus, the man?
GREEK SOCIETY
ODYSSEUS
LITERARY CONCEPT: Foreshadowing
(491) Why do you think that the author interrupts his telling of the exploration of the land of the Cyclopes in order to describe in detail a goatskin of wine?
LITERARY CONCEPT: Similes
(495) Look at lines 193-196. What two similes are used to emphasize the helplessness of the men and the savagery of the Cyclops? Write these two similes below.
SUMMARIZING
Look at the details in lines 226-243. Summarize the main points of Odysseus’ plan in one-two sentences.
AUTHOR’S METHOD
(500) How does Polyphemus' speech to the ram beneath which Odysseus hides add to the suspense of the passage?
LITERARY CONCEPT: Tone
(500) How does the tone of Polyphemus' speech change from beginning to end? / 1. (489) Describe Odysseus’ attitude toward his homeland.
2. (489) In what ways are the Lotus Eaters a threat to Odysseus and his men?
3. (490) An epithet is a brief descriptive phrase that is attached to something or someone. What epithet is used to describe the "Dawn"?
4. (490) In lines 71-75, how is Odysseus shown to be a traditionally heroic leader?
5. (491) Look at the metaphor that Odysseus uses in lines 91-92. What does this metaphor imply about the Cyclops?
(Turn and talk briefly)
6. (492) In lines 130-132, why does Odysseus refuse his men's "sound" request? What does this reveal to us about Odysseus?
(Turn and talk briefly)
7. (494) Why do you think that Odysseus emphasizes the social custom of giving hospitality to strangers and invokes the possible wrath of Zeus if such hospitality is not extended?
(Turn and talk briefly)
10. (494) Why do you think Odysseus lies about his ship?
11. (495) Why doesn't Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he gets the chance here?
12. (496) Why does Odysseus offer the Cyclops the liquor he brought from the ship?
13. (498) Why does Odysseus tell the Cyclops that his name is Nohbdy?
14. (498) Look at lines 282-284. How do these lines illustrate the heroic qualities of Odysseus?
15. (498) What simile does Odysseus use to describe the way in which he stabs the Cyclops in the eye? Write the simile below.
16. (499) How do the other Cyclopes respond to Polyphemus' cries? Why do they respond in this way?
17. (503) What plea do the crew members make with Odysseus?
18. (505) Describe the mood at the end of this episode (lines 478-484).
CHARACTERIZATION: Character’s Words and Actions
(502-503) What mistakes does Odysseus make on pages 502-503?
What do these mistakes reveal about Odysseus? / MAIN IDEAS
(504) Note the details of Polyphemus' curse below.
IN BOOK NINE, what human flaws does Odysseus demonstrate? What heroic qualities does he show?
HUMAN FLAWS HEROIC QUALITIES
Reading Guide: Book Ten: "The Grace of the Witch"
INFERENCE: Character’s motives(508) In Book Nine, we Odysseus led his men as they explored the island of the Cyclopes. Now, Odysseus sends Eurylochus out to lead a platoon to explore Aeaea. Why do you think Odysseus is sending these men out to explore the island instead of leading the platoon himself?
LITERARY CONCEPT: Characterization
(510-511)
Polites Eurylochus
How does Eurylochus contrast with Odysseus as a leader? (512)
EurylochusOdysseus
/ 1. (508) What gifts does Aeolus give Odysseus? How do his men screw things up?
2. (508) What happens to the men on the land of the Laestrygones?
(Turn and talk)
3. (510) What is unusual about Circe's hall?
4. (510) What happens to the men after they drink Circe's magic potion?
5. (510-512) How does Eurylochus escape?
6. (512) Why doesn't Circe's potion work on Odysseus?
7. (512-513) How does Circe react when she realizes that it is Odysseus?
8. (513) How does Odysseus protect himself from Circe?
(Turn and Talk)
9. (513-514) What do lines 81-93 show us about Odysseus' character?
10. (517) What does Circe tell Odysseus that he must do next (on his journey)?What is Odysseus' reaction upon hearing all of this?
Pre-reading: BOOK 12
* What do we mean when we say that someone is caught between a "rock and a hard place"?
* Can you think of any situations in which you or somebody you know has had to choose between two really bad options? Discuss this situation in 75+ words. Write your response below.
______
______
Reading Guide: Book Twelve: "Sea Perils and Defeat"
DIRECTIONS: We will be reading pages 520 - 524 together as a class. As we read, we will stop at various points for discussion. The discussion notes will be completed together. You are responsible for completing the comprehension questions on your own.NOTES from Discussion & Pair Activities
We will complete these discussion questions and activities together in class. / Comprehension Questions (answer)
- All questions are in order of appearance in the epic. You are responsible for answering these questions on your own.
TIRESIAS' WARNING (520)
THEME: In your own words, explain what Circe is trying to say about fate or the will of the gods in lines 75 - 82.
Three Tests (521-524)
1.
2.
3. / 1. What danger do the Sirens pose? (521)
2. What is Circe's advice for dealing with Charybdis? What does she caution him against doing and why?
What warning does she give about Helios’s cattle? (522-524)
(Turn and Talk)
3. How does Odysseus help the men overcome their fear and regain control of the ship? (525)
4. What is the outcome of Odysseus' confrontation with Scylla? (528)
5. What happens on the island of Thrinacia? (529)
POST-READING for BOOK TWELVE: Group Discussion & Notes
Close Reading: ODYSSEUS' LEADERSHIP SKILLS (525-527) / DEBATE: Was it right or wrong of Odysseus to withhold the information about Scylla from the men? (528)RIGHT WRONG
Odysseus
HEROIC QUALITIES FLAWS______
Pre-reading: "The Homecoming"
What are some thoughts and questions that you would have if you were Odysseus, returning home after twenty years of absence? How would you feel?
Discuss this situation in 75+ words. Write your response below.
______
______
Reading Guide: "The Homecoming," Books 21-23
DIRECTIONS: DIRECTIONS: We will be reading pages 545 - 563 together as a class. As we read, we will stop at various points for discussion. The discussion notes will be completed together. You are responsible for completing the comprehension questions on your own.Characterization of Antinous: Based on his words and actions in lines 32-43, how would you describe Antinous?
DETAILS: List off the details of Odysseus' plan (lines 93-104).
CONNECTION
In what ways is the suitors' concern about their reputation for physical strength similar to attitudes men have today (551)?
DRAMATIC IRONY occurs when the audience or reader knows something a character does not. How is Penelope's speech an example of dramatic irony (552)?
VERBAL IRONY occurs when someone knowingly says one thing and means another. Look at lines 122-130. Why might Odysseus' words in this passage be considered verbal irony?
MOTIVE - Odysseus' Charges Against the Men
List the reasons that Odysseus gives for wanting to kill the men (559).
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Do you think that the offer Eurymachus makes to Odysseus is fair or unfair? Why?
FAIR UNFAIR / 1. (545) In what ways does the goddess Athena help out Odysseus?
2. (546) How does the author help illustrate Penelope's continued sadness over the absence of Odysseus?
3. (548) Why do you think that Penelope has devised the contest of the bow?
4. (550) Based on the orders he gives, what do you think Odysseus is planning?
5. (552) How does Antinous react to the beggar's request?
6. (555) What are some of the ways in which the other characters provide assistance to Odysseus?
(Turn and Talk)
7. (557) Why does Odysseus kill Antinous first? Why does he do it in such a sudden, terrible way?
8. (560) What is Eurymachus' strategy here? How does he hope to save himself and the remaining suitors?(561) Eurymachus' death is physically painful, but he also has "revulsion, anguish in his heart." What do you think causes his emotional pain?
(Turn and Talk)
9. (562) In what ways does the goddess Athena help Odysseus out during the battle?
10. (563) Why do you think that Penelope asks the servant to move a bed that she knows cannot be moved?
11. What do you think that Penelope means in lines 416-420?