“The Odyssey”Part I

By Homer

Invocation

• Review your notes, what is the purpose of the invocation?

• What do we learn about Odysseus and his men in lines 6-15?

“Sailing from Troy”

• 1. What does IN MEDIA RES mean? (review your notes)? How does this apply to this section of the story? Explain.

• Describe what happened between Odysseus’ men and the Cicones.

“The Lotus Eaters”

• *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• Journal: Describe what Odysseus did and how he treated his men. What does this show about him as a leader? Does this paint a positive or negative picture of him? Explain.

“The Cyclops” Scavenger Hunt

• 1. Lines 109-120: List two reasons why Odysseus feels the Cyclopes are “uncivilized”.

• 2. Lines 157-173: Foreshadowing is when an author hints at events to come in a story. Find an example of foreshadowing in this section and explain its significance.

• 3. Lines 175-190: What does the Cyclops do as part of his evening chores that endangers the men? Explain why this is a problem.

• 4. Lines 226-231: What lie does Odysseus tell the Cyclops? Why would he do this? What does Odysseus’ behavior reveal about him? (how would you describe him?)

“The Cyclops” Cont.

• 5. Lines 266-280: Describe step 1 of Odysseus’ escape plan.

• 6. Lines 296-310: Describe step 2 of Odysseus’ escape plan.

• 7. Lines 312-316: What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is? How does this eventually help Odysseus and his men? Explain.

• 8. Lines 376-395: Describe step 3 of Odysseus’ escape plan.

“The Cyclops” Cont.

• Journal: *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• A. Review Odysseus’ actions in lines 431-435, 457-460. Also note how his men react in lines 448-456. Was Odysseus’ behavior necessary?

• B. What lesson can be learned from Odysseus’ actions? Do you agree with this lesson? Have you or someone you know experienced this? Explain.

“The Land of Dead”

• Journal (Complete BEFORE reading)

• *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• Q: If you could know the exact way your life will unfold (when and how you will die, etc.) would you want to know? Why or why not?

“The Land of The Dead”

1. Who is Elpenor and what does he ask Odysseus to do?

2. Who else does Odysseus see in “The Land of the Dead”? How does Odysseus react when he sees this person? Why is he so upset?

3. Re-read Tiresias’ prophecy lines (631-671). Bullet the most important parts of the prophecy below. What does Odysseus need to do?

“The Sirens”

• Journal: *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• A. Odysseus was able to avoid the temptations of the sirens through his actions, but can he really claim that that he resisted their temptations? Why?

• B. What heroic characteristic does Odysseus portray in this situation? Explain.

“Scylla and Charybdis”

• 1. Review lines 756-780. What qualities does Odysseus demonstrate during this adventure? Provide evidence to support your answer.

• 2. Describe/Explain what Scylla and Charybdis are. Include ONE quote to support your description.

• 3. Review your notes. What is an epic simile? Where is there an epic simile in this section? Describe it.

“The Cattle & The Sun God”

• 1. Review lines 863-888. What is Eurylochus suggesting the men do? Describe the pros/cons of this plan.

• 2. What do Odysseus’s men do and who reacts? Explain (Review lines 880-919).

• 3. Review lines 925-930. What mood is created by these occurrences? Explain.

• 4. At the end of this piece what happens to Odysseus and his men? Turn back to page 645 (beginning of the story). Review what Odysseus said to help you.

Odyssey : Part II

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Twenty Years Gone and I Am Back Again

• 1. What does Athena tell Odysseus to do in lines 1009-1015? Explain.

• 2. What does Odysseus' behavior reveal about him in lines 1034-1035? Explain.

• 3. Re-read lines 1055-1057. What information is revealed about the gods?

• 4. In lines 1125-1126, what does Odysseus tell Telemachus to do! Where has Odysseus given similar advice before?

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Argus

• Journal: *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• Based on what we have read so far, consider times when Odysseus has become sad or upset. What kinds of things upset Odysseus? What does this reveal about his character (what type of person he is).

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The Suitors

• Find 2 lines in this section that describe what Antinous is like as a person. Record the lines in your blue book. Below each line include a character trait and explanation that describes what your chosen line reveals about Antinous' personality.

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Penelope

• Journal: *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• Odysseus suffered through many difficult situations during his journey. Penelope also had to deal with a difficult situation. Explain/describe how Penelope suffered during "The Odyssey".

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Penelope (cont.)

• 1. In lines 1298-1303, what excuse does Odysseus give for not revealing his background?

• 2. Re-read lines 1324-1334. What did Penelope do? Why did she do it?

• 3. Review lines 1341-1347. Why would the author, Homer, include this in the conversation between Penelope and Odysseus? What purpose does it serve? Explain.

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The Challenge

• Briefly summarize what happens in this section. You must include 3-4 bulleted points, written in complete sentences.

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Odysseus' Revenge

• 1. In lines 1439-1444 what does Odysseus do? Why is this important?

• 2. Re-read Eurymachus' speech lines 1449-1463. What important information does he reveal? What does he offer to Odysseus?

• 3. In lines 1490-1496-what happens? describe in detail.

• 4. What does Telemachus do in lines 1501-1504? What does this show about him? Who else has shown this quality?

• 5. Re-read lines 1535 to the end of this section. What is the death of the men being compared to? What is this comparison called and where did we see this used before?

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Penelope's Test

• 1. What is Penelope's test and does Odysseus pass it?

• 2. Describe the mood of this scene. Is it altogether happy, or does it include some sadness? Give reasons/evidence for your opinion.

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Final Journal:

• Journal: *Journals should restate part of the questions and provide evidence in the answer. They need to be 4 or more sentences in length.

• Life's journey has been difficult for Odysseus, his family, and members of his kingdom. Describe how each of the following individuals suffered during the story: Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus. Then explain who you feel suffered the most. Use evidence from the story to support your opinion.

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