The Odyssey—The Homecoming
Books 21-23 Study Guide
Test will be on Thursday—Please be here or keep reading at home to stay caught up
Book 21—“The Test Of The Bow”
P. 943
1. Who helps Odysseus return home to Ithaca? 2. What does Athena warn him about Ithaca?
3. Following Athena’s advice, what does Odysseus do? 4. What tearful reunion occurs?
5. After giving up hope that Odysseus will return, what contest does Penelope propose to her suitors and what will be the prize for the winner?
Book 21—Lines 1-121
6. According to Penelope, when she talks to the suitors, what is the only justification for these men?
7. What are Penelope’s rules of her game in order to win her hand in marriage?
8. Instead of remaining in Ithaca, she proposes to do what with the winner?
9. Why are Odysseus’ servants crying?
10. What is to be Antinous’ future or destiny, according to lines 47-48?
11. Antinous, according to lines 50-51 was the one horrible suitor that did what?
12. What is Odysseus trying to find out from Swineherd and Cowherd before he unveils his true identity? (Remember, he is still disguised as an old beggar)
13. How do the two servants respond?
14. Once Odysseus reveals himself to his servants, if Zeus helps Odysseus defeat these unwelcome guests in his home, he will give what to both of these men to honor their undying loyalty to Odysseus?
15. What proof does Odysseus show the two men to prove their master has really returned?
16. What is Philoetius ordered to do and why do you think this order was given?
17. What does Eurymachus, one of the worst suitors, feel is most shameful: losing Penelope as a prize or being humiliated for not being capable of stringing Odysseus’ bow?
Lines 122-232
18. When the old beggar (Odysseus) speaks to the suitors, what does ask them to let him try?
19. The men are irritated by this request and won’t hear anything of it. What does Penelope do to try to persuade them? Remember, she does not know Odysseus has returned.
20. Why does Penelope leave the banquet hall?
21. What is Telemachus actually doing when he stands up to these evil suitors?
22. What does Odysseus tell Eurycleia to do?
23. What epic simile is used to describe Oysseus, disguised as the old beggar, stringing his bow? (Lines 197-206)
24. What was Zeus’ loud crack supposed to be?
25. What does Odysseus do with complete ease in lines 216-219?
26. After Odysseus speaks to the evil suitors in lines 221-226, he nods to his son. What does Telemachus do at that time?
Book 22—“Death In The Great Hall”
Lines 233-358
27. Why does Odysseus pray to Apollo before shooting his bow?
28. Who is Odysseus’ first target?
29. When the rest of the suitors realize what is happening, what are they frantically looking for but cannot find?
30. Why is this? Read the excerpt on the right.
31. What does “yellow dogs” mean?
32. What does “sickly green fear pulled at their entrails” mean?
33. Eurymachus tries to blame all of the suitors’ actions on whom?
34. What is he trying to bargain?
35. What does Odysseus say is the only payment for their foul deeds on his land?
36. What does Eurymachus try to rally the others to do?
37. What happens?
38. What does the “shrouding wave of mist closed on his eyes” mean? Line 321
39. Why didn’t Telemachus remove the spear from his enemy’s body?
40. What does Telemachus run and do to help him, his father, and their two loyal servants?
41. What epithet is used to describe Odysseus as a great fighter?
Summarized Text
42. Why doesn’t Athena give her “fullest aid” to Odysseus and Telemachus?
43. However, how does she still provide some help?
44. What metaphors are used to describe Odysseus and his men?
45. What happens to every one of the unwelcome suitors?
46. Who does Odysseus prepare to see?
Book 23—“The Trunk of the Olive Tree”
Lines 359-449
47. How does Athena improve Odysseus’ appearance? 48. What is Odysseus’ complaint in 373-377?
49. Explain “Her Heart is Iron in her breast?” 50. Who is #49 describing?
51. How does Penelope attempt to see if Odysseus is true? 52. Why couldn’t they move their bed?
53. Why was this their secret? 54. Penelope believes Helen was what?
55. How does this epic end?