1. What are the conflicts that Odysseus’ family faces during Odysseus’ absence?
During Odysseus’s absence Penelope has many suitors in the house and they drink and abuse all the wealth of Odysseus. They expect Penelope to marry one of them.
2. Who does Homer ask for help to tell the story of Odysseus?
Homer asks Muse to help him tell the story of Odysseus.
3. One theme in The Odyssey is that home is where the heart is. How is this demonstrated in this section?
Odysseus leaves his home and is wandering on calypsos beach, he experiences loneliness on the beach and he desires to get back home.
4. In the section “I am Laertes Son” how does Odysseus state he will repay the hospitality shown by King Alcinous?
Odysseus shows hospitality by telling King Alcinous he will be his ally and friend.
5. In the section “Lotus Eaters”, how do the Lotus Eaters pose a threat to Odysseus and his men?
They give him a fruit that makes you forget about home and they get addicted to the fruit.
6. Based on your understanding of the text, what is something in modern society that compares to the Lotus plant?
Something that compares to Lotus Eaters is alcohol in recent society because you get addicted to it if you drink it too much and for some people it’s a pain reliever.
7. In the “Cyclops” section epithets are used. These are descriptive phrases that re-name a person or thing and are used to convey descriptive information. What is an epithet used in this section?
An epithet used in this section is, would
8. What is foreshadowed by the description of the Cyclops? Include the details given about the Cyclops that make you come to the conclusion.
They foreshadow that Cyclops will probably eat them.
9. In ancient Greek culture, guests were treated with great respect. How is this custom shown in the encounter with the Cyclops?
In Ancient Greece guests were treated with enormous respect but Cyclops doesn’t care about his guests and will eat or kill them without thinking twice.
10. Odysseus lies about the condition of his ship and also about his name. Infer why he tells these lies.
Odysseus lies about the condition of his ship because he knows cyclops will destroy it if he knows where it is but, he doesn’t want any damage done to the ship.
11. A Homeric simile is an extended comparison (usually 3+ lines long) that compares something familiar (to someone in Odysseus’ day) to something fantastic or supernatural. What is one Homeric simile you see in the section with the Cyclops?
12. In chronological order, list three steps that Odysseus has to take to get his men out of the cave.
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13. Homer creates suspense, which is excitement or tension the reader feels as they wait to find out what happens. How does Homer create this suspense in terms of the Cyclops’ largest ram?
14. Summarize what occurs on the island of Aeolus.
The King gives Odysseus a bag of winds but the crew members open the bag thinking it’s gold but the wind opens up and takes them back to the island they just came from.
15. How many survive the land of the Laestrygones?
Only Odysseus ship survives the rest of ships disappear.
16. Describe what is unsettling when the men first approach Circe’s home and who is the only character who senses this?
The island looks very beautiful but they can't trust beauty, Odysseus is the only character that sees this.
17. A motif, a reoccurring idea, in the story is the idea of beauty being deceptive. Explain how this has been revealed in the episode with Circe.
Circe is a beautiful women and she has a beautiful island but, she doesn't treat her guests properly,
18. What is Hermes’ role in the story? Where have we seen him fulfill this role?
Hermes is a messenger and we see him tell Calypso to let Odysseus leave.
19. What is ironic about the blind prophet, Teiresias?
The Irony is that Teiresias is blind but he still helps Odysseus
20. Summarize Elpenor’s request and infer what it implies about how the Greeks mourn the dead.
21. How might Odysseus’ conversation with his mother affect his desire to get home?
It makes him want to reach home quicker.
22. What is comparable between the Sirens’ song and the Lotus Plant?
The Siren’s song and Lotus planet are somewhat similar because, the Siren’s song manipulates you into swimming to the shore and the Lotus plant manipulates you to stay.
23. What is shown about Odysseus’ character in his choice to listen to the song of the Sirens?
When Odysseus decides to listen to the song of the sirens it indicates that he is a brave daring man that isn’t afraid of what those sirens will do to him
24. Another motif, reoccurring idea, in the epic is the idea of withholding information. Odysseus did this with the bag of winds earlier. How is this motif revealed in the sections of the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis?
25. Based on the description of the Sirens, what can you conclude about them?
Based on the description of the Sirens you can colclude that these sirens are very manipulating and can make a person do something because of the music these produce.
26. List three examples of direct characterization of Scylla.
27. Which two characters warn Odysseus about Helios’ cattle?
Circe and Teiresias warn Odysseus about Helios’ cattle
28. Keep in mind most of what you have read has been a flashback. Create a timeline which chronologically explains the adventure.
I————————————————————————————————————————————————————-I
29. Greek myths sometimes explained natural phenomena. As seafaring people, the Greeks would be affected by hazards of the sea. What natural dangers of the sea are represented by Scylla and Charybdis?
Scylla represents the rocks and Charybdis represents a whirlpool
30. Why do the men not try to fight Scylla even though she presents a danger?
They don’t fight her because she is too powerful for Odysseus and his men.
Microthemes for Books 1-12
Using the standards for a microtheme discussed on page 2 of this packet, write an 8-12 sentence microtheme for each of the prompts below.
1. “…the divine Calypso placed before him vituals and drink of men; then she sat down facing Odysseus, while her serving maids brought nectar and ambrosia to her side. Then each one’s hands went out on each one’s feast until they had had their pleasure…” In a microtheme, explain which character archetype Calypso represents and how this character archetype adds to the plot.
2. “Low she sang in her beguiling voice, while on her loom she wove ambrosial fabric sheer and bright, by that craft known to the goddess in heaven. In a microtheme, describe how Homer uses the motif that beauty can be deceptive in the first 12 books of the story.
3. Odysseus states, “It was our luck to come here; here we stand, beholden for your help, or any gifts you give—as custom is to honor strangers. We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care for the gods’ courtesy; Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest.” The motif of Greek hospitality is developed in the section with the Cyclops. In a microtheme, explain what is expected in Greek hospitality and why and what might consequences be if the host/guest doesn’t respect that law.
4. There is a cycle an Epic Hero must complete. In that cycle, the hero must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up in his quest and appears defeated; however, the hero then has a form of resurrection and regains his strength. In a microtheme, describe how this part of the Epic Hero cycle is revealed in books 1-12.
5. Read the attached handout, “Calypso a Song” by Suzanne Vega. In a microtheme, compare/contrast the two versions of Calypso, the one from the song and the one in the book. Use specific evidence in both versions to support your response.
Calypso (a song)
Suzanne Vega
My name is Calypso Salt of the waves
And I have lived alone And of the tears
I live on an island And though he pulled away
And I waken to the dawn I kept him here for years
A long time ago I let him go
I watched him struggle with the sea
I knew he was drowning My name is Calypso
And I brought him into me I have let him go
Now today In the dawn he sails away
Come morning light To be gone forever more
He sails away And the waves will take him in again
After one last night But he’ll know their ways now
I let him go. I will stand upon the shore
With a clean heart
My name is Calypso And my song in the wind
My garden overflows The sand will sting my feet
Thick and wild and hidden And the sky will burn
Is the sweetness there that grows It’s a lonely time ahead
My hair it blows long I do not ask him to return
As I sing into the wind I let him go.
I tell of nights I let him go.
Where I could taste the salt on his skin
Books XIII-XXIV (13-24)
Answer all of the questions in at least one complete sentence. Remember that all responses need to be typed.
Microthemes for Books 13-24
Using the standards for a microtheme discussed on page 2 of this packet, write an 8-12 sentence microtheme for each of the prompts below.
1. A literary archetype is a character found across genres. For example, villain, hero and damsel in distress are archetypes. Describe how Poseidon is a literary archetype using at least one direct quote from the text.
2. Compare and contrast Penelope and Helen. Based on your analysis, how were women viewed in the ancient Greek culture? Include at least one direct quote from the text.
3. Odysseus was viewed as a hero in his time. Compare and contrast Odysseus with a modern-day hero. The hero should be a real person rather than a fictional character. Include at least one direct quote from the text.
4. Homer uses figurative language and poetic devices throughout his epic. Find one example of either and explain how it helps create imagery for the reader. Include at least one direct quote from the text.
5. Most literary heroes have one tragic flaw. Identify and explain Odysseus’ tragic flaw and describe how it affects his journey home to Ithaca. Include at least one direct quote from the text.