From the Odyssey- Part I

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From the Odyssey- Part I

Answer the following questions on your own paper while we are reading. Be prepared to discuss the answers after the selection is read. There are questions on the very back of the packet as well. It would be wise to keep all of these questions and their answers so that you can study for your test.

“Sailing from Troy” (Pages 1047-1048; Lines 18-69)

1. Where is Odysseus’ home and why does he find it dear?
2. What qualities do you associate with heroism?
3. For what quality does Odysseus say he is famous?
4. Who has asked Odysseus to tell his tale?
5. What mistakes did Odysseus and his men make on Ismarus?
6. What do the empty benches in line 63 reveal about the outcome of the battle?
7. What do the empty benches in line 63 reveal about the type of ship Odysseus sailed in?
8. What beliefs and values are reflected in lines 65-69?

“The Lotus-Eaters” (Pages 1048-1049; Lines 70-108)

1. What are the words that show the passage of time in the first ten lines of “The Lotus-Eaters”?

1. What words in line 82 remind you that this is part of a flashback?

1. Read lines 101-105 to yourself. Which characteristics of an epic hero does Odysseus show in this episode?

1. What is your first impression of Odysseus?

1. a. While on Ismarus, in what ways do the Odysseus’ men disobey orders?

1. What does this episode suggest about eh main problem that Odysseus has with his men?
2. Do you think Odysseus responds appropriately to the three men who long to stay with the Lotus Eaters? Why or why not?

1. a. Note two points at which Odysseus mentions a desire to return home.

1. What significant role might this longing for home play in Odysseus’ epic journey?

“The Cyclopes” (Pages 1050-1063; Lines 109-525)

1. Conflicts intheOdyssey are signaled before they actually occur. Pick out two warnings that a conflict is about to occur at the beginning of “The Cyclopes” on page 1050.

1. Based on Odysseus’ criticism of the Cyclopes, what kind of society do you think the Greeks valued?
2. Read lines 127-133 on page 1050. Note the words alone, remote, and solitude.These describe how the Cyclopes live separate from others.

1. What does this reveal about ancient Greek attitudes toward the importance of community?

1. Read lines 170-173 on page 1051. Odysseus reveals on e of the qualities that get him into trouble. What is it?

1. Do you think that he should stay and get more information or leave and avoid trouble?

1. What character flaw does the hero Odysseus reveal by refusing to leave the cave?
2. Where is Cyclops when Odysseus and his men first enter the cave?

1. Read lines 214-215 on page 1052. What earlier events would give Odysseus reason to be proud of his men and his own behavior?

1. What ancient Greek beliefs regarding the gods, military might, and respect for strangers does Odysseus express in his words to the Cyclops?

1. Why would the Cyclops want to know the location of the Greeks’ ship?

1. In what way does Odysseus’ response show that he is “formidable for guile”?

1. Odysseus is prepared to kill Cyclops by stabbing him in the liver. What factors complicate the Greeks’ attempts at escaping? In other words, what stops Odysseus from killing the Cyclops?

1. How doe lines 244-250 on page 1053 show Odysseus’ ability to think ahead?

1. What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops happened to his ship?

1. How long did it take you to figure out what Odysseus is doing with the Olive tree?

1. What heroic qualities does Odysseus reveal as he plots against the Cyclops?

1. What plan do you think Odysseus has in mind by offering the Cyclops wine? Keep in mind that wine, at this time, was a very potent drink. Humans enjoyed it only when it was diluted considerably with water.

1. What trait does the image of the Cyclops on page 1055 illustrate?

1. What does Odysseus plan to do with the stake that he and his men make?

1. What cultural values are represented in Odysseus’ reference to “the gods” in line 323?

1. How many of Odysseus’ men has the Cyclops eaten?

1. Why does the name game that Odysseus plays with the Cyclops turn out to be important to his survival?

1. What does Odysseus’ gleeful response to his successful trick reveal about his character?

1. Think about other heroes that you have encountered in your reading. Is a hero with a sense of humor ordinary or unusual?

1. What do the other Cyclopes think Polyphmus is saying when he says, “Nohbdy’s tricked me”?

1. Look at the picture on page 1058. How does Odysseus’ actions in this illustration reflect what happens in the text?

1. Based on the appearance of the ram, how can you tell who its owner is?

1. What are the Cyclops’ greatest assets or weapons?

1. What does the conversation between the Cyclops and Odysseus reveal about he Cyclops’ personality?

1. What details of this speech on page 1059 lines 399-414 show Polyphemus is far less clever than Odysseus?

1. How do the men escape from the Cyclops’ cave?

1. How does Odysseus’ victory over the Cyclops the second time different from the first time?

1. What do the Greeks have to gain by taunting the Cyclops?

1. Despite his heroism, what human weaknesses does Odysseus reveal as he sails away?

1. Read lines 472-493 on pages 1062-1063. What does the passage reveal about the Cyclops’ father?

1. What does lines 472-493 suggest about ancient Greek beliefs about the gods’ involvement in the mortal world?

1. Spoils, such as sheep, often were divided among soldiers by rank in Ancient Greece. This means that Odysseus could have taken the larger part for himself. Why does Odysseus want to be generous with his men?

1. What admirable quality does Odysseus show by dividing the sheep among his men?

1. What does the Cyclops ask for in his prayer to Poseidon?